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 left 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 ceutre 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 
sparingly 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 the 
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 ones 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 
