BEE MANUAL. 207 
formerly occupied by the nucleus hive, and hang the caged 
queen between two of the central frames. The old queen 
with her frame can now be placed in her hive again, and the 
hive filled with frames of comb or foundation in the place of 
the frames removed. To prevent too many bees returning to 
the divided colony, I have often blocked up the entrance with 
wire cloth—taking care to allow plenty of ventilation—till 
the evening of the following day, and then liberated both bees 
and queen, but usually the latter is at liberty before that time 
with the cage I use. In the course of a few days the surplus 
boxes can be put on. If less increase is desired, the nucleus 
colony can be made up by taking frames of krood and bees 
from two or more old colonies in the same way, instead of 
from one. It should of course be seen to that each hive is 
supplied with sufficient food. 
When there are no spare queens or queen cells at hand, a 
different plan must be adopted. In this case one frame of 
brood, with the adhering bees and queen, should be taken from 
the old hive and placed in the new one; then move the old 
hive to a new stand, and put the new one in its place. A 
frame of honey, if it can be spared, without bees, may also 
be removed from the old hive to the new one, and another 
taken from some other hive can be put in, and both be filled 
up with empty combs or foundation. Most of the old bees 
from the removed hive will return to the old stand, but the 
young bees left and those gradually maturing will be sufficient 
to do the necessary work of the hive and raise a queen for 
themselves. 
Dividing should only be done during fine weather, and great 
care must be taken to see that the hives are kept snug, and 
that the brood does not get chilled. Spare queen cells may 
be utilized in dividing. 
pxiom. 
‘* A MODERATE INCREASE OF COLONIES IN ANY ONE SEASON WILL, IN 
THE LONG RUN, PROVE THE EASIEST, SAFEST, AND CHEAPEST MODE OF 
MANAGING BEES.” 
Langstroth. 
