8o A Modern Bee-Farm 



CHAPTER XII. 

 HOW TO STOCK THE FRAME HIVE. 



I HAVE shown the reader how to construct and furnish his 

 hive, and will now explain the different methods employed 

 for stocking the same. 



The most simple way is to insert a swarm. Good swarms of 

 native bees can generally be bought from a cottager in May for 

 \os. or 123. each. They would, in that case, be brought home in 

 a skep towards evening, when they may be shot out upon the 

 frames spaced as already shown and provided with foundation, 

 when a piece of ticking should be laid over them so as to not 

 quite cover the whole surface of the hive when all will soon draw 

 below. When they are quiet, arrange the quilt carefully and place 

 on the cover, and give an entrance at least 6 inches wide. As 

 the centre combs are built out and filled with eggs, part them and 

 insert one or two of the outside frames of foundation in the centre 

 of the cluster until eight or nine are well filled. By this time 

 close the entrance to about i|^-inch, having previously added 

 warmer material above, such as two or three thicknesses of 

 carpet above the ticking, or a tray of chaff or cork dust 2 inches 

 thick. 



Best Time to Transfer. 



Where one has straw skeps he will desire to transfer his bees to 

 the frame hive. This can be done in April to great advantage, 

 as it is just then that the stimulation does most good, and excites 

 the bees to extend the brood nest. 



