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full frame between. Insert the eight removed combs 
in a new hive; remove a fifth strong stock to a new 
stand, and set the hive containing the comb in its 
place : the bees returning to their old stand, furnish 
sufficient population to protect the brood. 
By this method, no stock loses more than two combs 
at one time, and if the weather is favorable and forage 
abundant, the loss is soon regained, so that a new 
swarm can be made from the same four stocks as soon 
as the empty frames are filled ; and even if frost should 
cut short all pasturage, the new swarm is never too 
small or the old stocks too much reduced to be in good 
condition for wintering. 
The date of the division should be carefully noted, 
and those colonies raising queen-cells opened on the 
tenth day, at which time the queen-cells will be cap- 
ped, — and all but one must be removed ; the cells 
may be inserted in the combs of other stocks or des- 
troyed. Fifteen days later, make another examination 
to ascertain whether or not each swarm has secured a 
fertile queen. Look carefully for eggs in the cells, and 
if no eggs can be seen by this time, it is generally cer- 
tain that the colony is queenless, and it should be 
treated as such. The combs inserted in a new hive, 
when making the swarm, should be placed together, 
the brood-comb in the middle, and the combs contain- 
ing the least or no brood, nearest the outside, and next 
