NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL INCREASE. 153 
of the swarm, the queen matures but a limited number 
of eggs, becoming reduced in size nearly to that of a 
virgin queen, in order to be able to fly out with the 
swarm, and upon the day of swarming, even the worker 
bees are comparatively idle. Now, if second and third 
swarms are allowed to issue, these hindrances are multi- 
plied. The 2nd will issue 8 or.9 days after the first, and 
the 3d, about 3 days later. In about 18 days from the 
date of the first swarm, a young queen will become fertile, 
and ready to commence laying. Thus it will be seen 
that the colony has been destitute of a laying queen, for, 
at least 18 days, at a season when a large working force 
of bees is especially valuable. Allowing a deficiency of 
1,000 eggs per day, which is a very moderate estimate for 
a prolific queen, it would make a difference of 18,000 bees. 
In regions like California, where the swarming season 
occurs before the general honey yield, swarms may be in- 
creased, and brought to a condition to store honey rapidly 
before the general harvest begins. There too, the increase 
may be profitably large, with a proportionate gain in sur- 
plus. But in our latitude, where the duration of the 
yield is comparatively short, and the swarming season is 
simultaneous with it, a different system must be pursued. 
A fact to be borne in mind at all times, is, that. much 
better proportionate results are reached, in strong colo- 
nies, than when the bulk of bees is less. This is, of course, 
subject to limitation. It is trae in the quantity of honey 
they will gather in summer, and consume in winter, in 
the amount of brood they will rear, as well as in rapidity 
of wax-secretion, and comb-building. Besides, they have 
but one set of combs, and one entrance to protect against 
their enemies. 
The motto adopted by all progressive writers, ‘‘ Keep 
all colonies strong,” is one of the fundamental princi- 
ples of success. To this I would add, ‘Hach colony 
should at all times possess a laying queen.” As this can 
