260 FIFTY YEARS AMONG THE BEES 



there being twenty frames in all. Sixteen of these, or two 

 hives full, were taken for 237, the other four were used to 

 strengthen some of the nuclei. Not the weakest nuclei were 

 strengthened, but the earliest and strongest, for by being 

 helped these would become strong enough to be helpers in 

 turn. In fact, toward the last of the season, when there was 

 little time for nuclei to grow up, the earlier nuclei rendered 

 substantial aid to the later ones, at least one of them yielding 

 as many as nine frames of brood. The first nuclei were 

 formed June 21, as already mentioned; the last were formed 

 August 23. 



I have gone thus fully into details because I believe this 

 plan can be used successfully by any one who has only a small 

 number of colonies and is desirous of increase. The first 

 nuclei are formed early enough in the season so that they have 

 more than time enough to become strong colonies, and the 

 latest must be formed only in sufficient numbers so that they 

 can be strengthened up as soon as the queen gets to laying. 



NUCLEUS PLAN OP INCREASE. 



With nucleus hives for queen-rearing, as already de- 

 scribed, it is easy to carry out the nucleus system in the strict- 

 est sense. I go to a nucleus with a laying queen, preferring a 

 nucleus with two or three frames, take all the frames with 

 queen and adhering bees, put them in an empty hive, and set 

 the hive on an empty stand. A week later a frame of brood 

 may be added. It will be better if it can be given with 

 adhering bees, and still better if the bees can be queenless. 

 Still, there is no great danger to the queen in any case, although 

 the weaker the nucleus when strange bees are given, the 

 greater the danger to the queen. A week later on, two frames 

 of brood and bees may be added, and the queen will be safer 

 if these two- frames are taken from two different colonies. 

 The colony will then be strong enough to be left to its own 

 devices. 



NUCLEUS BUILDING UP WITHOUT HELP. 



Indeed, it is not necessary to do anything more than to 

 let a nucleus stand without any help in a fair season, if it 

 can stand long enough. My assistant is inclined to be quite 



