CHAPTEE IX. 



INCREASE AND THE PROFITABLE PRODUCTION OFBEES. 



In bad seasons or in districts where but little honey is to 

 be obtained, the bee-keeper may find it profitable to turn his 

 attention to the rearing of bees for sale, a by no means un- 

 important branch of practical apiculture, and one on which 

 I have bestowed considerable attention of late years, with the 

 result that I have come to the conclusion that it has not been 

 brought into such prominent notice as it deserves. 



The prices which strong stocks of bees on bar frames com- 

 mand in spring vary from about 14s. to 25s., and at these 

 prices they pay the bee-keeper well to produce. 



There are various methods of increasing the number of 

 stocks, some natural and some wholly artificial. We may 

 term it a natural method to allow the bees to swarm, but even 

 in this case they will need some artificial assistance to work 

 them to the best advantage. 



Natural Methods of Increase. 



A very good method of increase is to obtain two natural 

 swarms from a stock and then to divide it into two, thus 

 making four stocks from the original one : but in order that 

 all four may be strong before the winter sets in some care and 

 attention are necessary. Firstly, in order that the stock may 

 swarm as early as possible, it is necessary to induce the bees 

 to rear brood freely in the spring ; this is done by what is 

 known as " stimulative feeding," which should be commenced 

 abotit the middle of March ; in a mild spring it may even be 

 begun as early as the first of the month, but in no case earlier 

 than this. 



For stimulative feeding a bottle feeder (fig. 34) is used, 

 the neck of this bottle fitting into the round hole in the block, 

 which is covered with perforated zinc. Six or seven holes 



