150 BEES AND BEE-KEEMNG. 



two to four combs from one hive, provided it is 

 strong, and a fair proportion of brood-combs are left 

 in the old hive, which should now be replaced, the 

 vacancies filled with empty frames, or what is better, 

 with frames containing empty combs, if they can be 

 obtained ; close it up as usual. Take the combs 

 selected to form the nucleus, and having a royal cell 

 or embryo queen at hand, fit it into one of the brood- 

 combs, as has been directed, and place it in a central 

 position in the colony, to insure its having heat 

 sufficient to fully develope it. For a bee-keeper hav- 

 ing but little experience, it is best to put two frames 

 together to form the nucleus ; place them at one side 

 of the hive, take an empty frame with cloth tacked on 

 it and set it in the space next to the outside brood- 

 comb, or in an empty frame, and cover the side and 

 top by suspending a cloth from the top, so as to 

 inclose the nucleus in a small space, and retain their 

 heat as before directed. 



"Whilst performing this operation, the bees that 

 were shaken on the cloth will, to some extent, sepa- 

 rate, most of the older ones taking wing and returning 

 to the old hive, which should remain on the stand all 

 the while. A majority of the younger bees will 

 cluster on the sbeet, where the queen is most likely 

 to be found. A careful examination sbould be made 

 for her ; when found, she should be carefully returned 

 to her old home. Put a sufficient quantity of the 

 bees into each hive (if more than one nucleus has been 

 made), to cover and protect the brood-combs, either 

 by placing them at the entrance of the new hive 



