1 66 A Modern Bee- Farm 



CHAPTER XI. 

 HOW TO STOCK THE FRAHE HIVE. 



I HAVE shown the reader how to construct and 

 furnish his hive, and will now explain the different 

 methods employed for stocking the same. 

 The most simple is that of inserting a swarm. Good 

 swarms of native bees can generally be bought from a 

 cottager in May for los. or I2s. each. They would, in 

 that case, be brought home in a skep towards evening, 

 when they may be shot out upon the frames spaced as 

 already shown and provided with foundation, when a 

 piece of ticking should be laid over them so as to not quite 

 cover the whole surface of the hive, when all will soon 

 draw below. When they are quiet, arrange the quilt 

 carefully, set on the cover, and give an entrance at least 

 six inches wide. As the centre combs are built out and 

 filled with eggs, part them and insert one or two of the 

 outside frames of foundation in the centre of the cluster 

 until eight or nine are well filled. By this time close the 

 entrance to about ij-inch, having previously added 

 warmer material above, such as two or three thicknesses of 

 carpet above the ticking or a tray of chaff or cork dust 

 two inches thick. 



