234 AUSTRALASIAN 



two. Where spring forage is scarce and stimulative feeding is 

 requisite to quicken brood rearing, it should be started about 

 six weeks prior to the commencement of the main harvest, the 

 object being to get the hives full of young bees at this time, as 

 everything depends upon having strong colonies to gather the 

 honey while it lasts. No fixed time can be given for com- 

 mencing to work up the colonies ; this must be lefc to the 

 judgment of each individual bee-keeper, as it depends upon the 

 flowering of the particular vegetation from which the main 

 supply of his honey is secured ; it should not, however, be less 

 than six weeks before that period. 



SPREADING BROOD. 



As brood-rearing progresses and plenty of young bees are 

 emerging from the centre combs, the brood nest may be en- 

 larged by spreading the frames and placing a clean empty comb 

 in the centre, provided there are plenty of bees to cover all the 

 brood. The empty comb, from its position will be taken 

 charge of by the queen almost at once, and in a short time will 

 be filled with eggs, whereas an outside comb would be very 

 spai ingly occupied at first. Division boards may be moved 

 as required to enlarge the brood nest. This spreading of the 

 brood, however, requires great care and judgment ; if carried 

 too far, a cold night may drive the bees from the brood in (he 

 outer frames, and the result would be that such brood would 

 get chilled and die. An empty comb may be carefully inserted 

 at intervals as the number of bees increase. If the caps of the 

 cells of a frame of honey be bruised with a knife just 

 sufficiently to start the honeyrunning, and the frame be inserted 

 in the brood nest, it will have the same effect with regard to 

 stimulating the queen as syrup feeding. From some of the 

 strongest colonies a frame of emerging brood may occasionally 

 be given to the weaker one3 to equalize their strength. 



PUTTING ON SURPLUS BOXES. 



Having followed out the foregoing instructions and worked 

 the stocks into good condition by the commencement of the 

 main honey harvest, they may, if increase is the principal 

 object in view, either be allowed to swarm, or be divided, as 

 the case may be, before putting on the surplus boxes ; but if 

 honey only, or honey with a moderate increase is desired, these 



