10 



comb supers or section racks can be used in conjunction with 

 each other, or only one kind may be used on the hive at one 

 time, according to the desire cf the bee-keeper. If a larger 

 brood nest is desired it can be obtained by the addition of an 

 extra brood chamber, or a shallow frame box having ten frames 

 fitted with worker base foundation and spaced with IJ in. metal 

 ends according to the bee-keeper's idea of the extra space 

 required. 



Single-Walled Hive. — A cheaper form of hive is the 

 single-walled one (Fig. 2). A comparison with Pig. 1 will 

 show that in this pattern there is an air space only at the 

 front and back to accommodate the lugs of the frames, and 

 not entirely surrounding the brood chamber. There are also 

 various portions which, through the secure nailing of the 

 parts, are inaccessible for disinfection, and the number of 

 supers which it is possible to use in tiering up is limited. 



Stocking the Hive. — This should be done as early as pos- 

 sible in the spring of the year. The hive may be populated 

 in three ways, by purchasing (1) a colony of bees, (2) a 

 nucleus, or (3) a swarm. 



1. The first is the most expensive method, as the bees have 

 already built the combs, are rearing brood and have stored 

 a certain amount of food. The advantage is that, given a good 

 season and proper management, surplus honey is assured in 

 the first year, and increase may possibly be obtained as well. 



2. A nucleus will cost less, as it will consist of four combs 

 (only two, or at most three, of which will contain brood), bees, 

 and a fertile queen, together with the stores, instead of the ten 

 combs of a colony. By judicious management it may be worked 

 into a full colony in time to give a limited amount of surplus 

 before the end of the season. The beginner, as a. rule, does 

 not possess sufficient practical knowledge to carry this out 

 effectively.* 



3. The safest way for a beginner to start is with a first 

 swai-m (not a oast, or after-swann). The most satisfactory 

 method of purchasing a swarm is by weight. About 5,000 

 hees weigh one pound; and as swarms average from 3 to 

 5 lb. each, they will contain from 15,000 to 25,000 old bees 

 with their^ fertile queen. After-swarms weigh about 2 lb. and 

 have a virgin queen. A swaina weighing 5 lb. should be 

 •obtained if possible. 



By this method the bee-keeper will avoid all the pitfalls of 

 disease or lack of condition which beset the inexperienced 

 purchaser of established colonies or nuclei, and which only the 

 practised eye can detect. Furthermore, a knowledge of the 

 working of the colony right from the commencement is thereby 



* For details as to building up of a nucleus, see Leaflet No 349 

 (Methods of Obtaining Strong Colonies of Bees for Winterinq) included 

 in this volume. 



