20 



The frames of foundation must be added one at a time, and 

 shoul d be inserted in the centre of the brood nest^^ Another 

 liew Irame oi f ouria3fIon™iK'ouI3~'Be' inserEe3™as soon as the 

 previous one has been drawn out into comb which is not only 

 filled with brood but is also well covered with bees ; several new 

 frames of foundation should never be inserted at one operation. 



If the apiary contains established stocks of bees, combs of 

 brood may be taken from these and given to weak colonies, thus 

 ensuring more rapid " building up." Only combs containing 

 good-sized patches of sealed brood should be taken, for, if 

 unsealed brood is given, the strength of the bees in the weak 

 colony is overtaxed by the extra labour expended in feeding the 

 larvae and in keeping the extra space warm. Not more than two 

 combs of brood should be taken during the season from any 

 one colony, and then, only one at a time, at an interval of at 

 least a fortnight between the removal of the first and second 

 combs. 



The combs of brood must be given to weak colonies one at a 

 time and inserted in a similar way to new frames of foundation, 

 i.e., in the centre of the brood nest. 



It is not absolutely necessary to have the full complement 

 of ten combs in the hive, as the bees will winter quite safely 

 on eight. In fact, it is much better to winter the colonies on 

 eight combs well filled with food than on ten which are only 

 partially completed. 



Temperature of the Hive The temperature of the hive 



must be maintained at about 98 deg. P., not only to 

 enable ihe bees to secrete wax and ripen the food, but 

 also for brood-rearing. The bees generate heat to a 

 large extent by the movement of various parts of their 

 anatomy as well as by the normal means of respiration and 

 the combustion of food in their bodies. Thus, if they occupy 

 too large a space, the temperature of the hive can only 

 be maintained at the expense of energy required for comb- 

 building, nectar-gathering and brood-rearing. Also, too much 

 room often results in the combs being drawn out very irregu- 

 larly, or else in bulges, owing to the extent to which the 

 working capacity of the bees is taxed. 



A nucleus, when formed, is usually placed in a nucleus hive 

 or temporary box, but as soon as it consists of four combs weU. 

 covered with bees, it should be transferred to a full-sized hive, 

 and the bees crowded together on the combs by means of a 

 division board, until after the gradual addition of frames of 

 foundation, eight or ten combs are in use. A full-sized hive 

 may be used from the commencement if so desired. It is only 

 necessary to use a division board to contract the space to the 

 requirements of the nucleus. 



Feeding to increase Brood-Rearing In most di stricts few 



nectar-yielding flowers are in bloom alter July onward, aM" 



