188 AUSTRALASIAN 



CHAPTER XI. 



INCREASE OF STOCKS— NATURAL SWARMING— 

 DIVIDING. 



The question of the increase of stocks in an apiary, how to 

 promote, control, or even to prevent it, is one of importance in 

 all cases, and one which must be treated by each bee-keeper 

 according to the special objects he has in view — the first point 

 to be determined being 



WHAT RATE OF INCREASE IS DESIRABLE. 



It may be desirable to stock a new apiary as quickly as 

 possible, or, if opportunity offers, to dispose profitably of a 

 number of colonies ; in which case the largest increase com- 

 patible with the formation of none but strong colonies must be 

 worked for, regardless of a honey harvest. If the object be 

 to form an apiary gradually, and with the least outlay of 

 capital, the best plan will be to try for such a moderate annual 

 increase of stocks as may be consistent with securing a fair 

 return in honey at the same time ; or, lastly, if the apiary has 

 attained the full extent intended, the bee-keeper will naturally 

 want to obtain the greatest possible quantity of honey from a 

 fixed number of hives ; and it then becomes a question whether 

 that end may be best secured by suppressing all increase, as 

 far as it is possible to do so. 



CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH AFFECT A DECISION. 



Having settled the preliminary question of large, moderate, 

 or no increase, the bee-keeper will next have to consider the 

 circumstances with which he has to deal and which may exert 

 an influence upon the results he wishes to attain. These may 

 be said to consist chiefly in : 1, the climate, as it affects the 



