NUCLEI. 



267 



more advantageous than one large frame, as they give 

 more compactness to the cUister. Besides, these small 

 colonies can be built up easily afterwards by coupling the 

 frames, and uniting the combs of 3 or 4 nuclei into one 

 large hive. 



It is not necessary to have many of these frames in an Api- 

 ary, as a few are sufficient to make a number of nuclei, if 

 they are placed in the centre of full colonies early in Spring. 



(Fig. 93.) 

 DIVISIBLE PKAMB. 



Two frames thus made from one standard Langstroth 

 frame measure about 8} by 8 J inches each, a very conven- 

 ient size for nucleus frames. 



In the Fall, a number of nuclei may be united, in a fuU 

 sized hive, on their own combs, by this method. 



622. To make a nucleus, take from a colony, as late in 

 the afternoon as there is light enough to do it, a comb con- 

 taining worker-eggs, and bees just gnawing out of their cells, 

 and put it, with the mature bees that are on it, into an 

 empty hive. If there are not bees enough adhering to it, 

 to prevent the brood from being chilled during the night, 

 -more must be shaken into the hive from other cotnbs. If 

 the transfer is made so late in the day that the bees are not 

 disposed to leave the hive, enough may have hatched, by 



