A Modern Bee-Farm 



CHAPTER XVII. 

 HONEY AND INCREASE. 



EXCEPT in the few districts where the season is protracted, 

 increase is obtained at the expense of honey ; but in any 

 case it is not desirable to take more than one swarm from the old 

 stock ; and this division to give the best results must be made 

 before the first honey-fiow occurs, providing the colony can be 

 made strong at that time. But as it is probable that some will 

 not be, and also to allow for uniting in the autumn, it will be safe 

 to reckon only upon 50 per cent, increase, as it is imperative 

 that all be kept in good condition. In the table of estimates this 

 has been placed at a much lower rate, so that there is little fear 

 of the apiarist weakening his stock. 



A division of stocks can also be made during an interval of 

 dearth, if not too late in the season, but in any case a young 

 queen should be on hand. The operation of 



Dividing 



wUl consist in removing from a strong colony one half of the 

 brood combs containing mostly hatching brood, with the bees 

 clustering thereon, as well as the queen ; placing these in a new 

 location, with all the brood near the centre of the hive with empty 

 combs or foundation on either side of the same. The brood 

 combs remaining on the old stand are to be alternated with founda- 



