o H
Honey. In most parts of the northern and middle states the
honey harvest is very short and all pecuniary profit will depend
upon having powerful colonies at the right time. Early breeding in these sections
of the utmost importance, ordinary swarming hives of but little value in giving
surplus honey. This one reason why so little affected by any of the patent hives. 
It will usually be found that when such hives do yield any spare honey either they
have not swarmed or they swarmed but once and that very early. Swarms must be
doubled or if made artificially must be made very large to succeed in storing much
surplus honey, unless they are unusually early. If swarming hives of the usual kind
are employed it is very obvious that the old plan of taking up the bees is the right one. 
In regions where there are abundant supplies in August and September, swarming
hives will do better. From the above remarks it will appear that the securing the largest
harvests of honey is not consistent with the most rapid multiplication of colonies. 
I do not, however, at all recommend the ordinary nonswarming system of management,
as bees managed in this way do not work as vigorously as new swarms, and [crossed out: have] soon
have old queens, and are also liable to perish from becoming queenless, but I rely
upon my doubled [inserted: or artificially strengthened] swarms for honey, or my very powerful artificial swarms. 
Suppose that I have 12 swarms at the beginning of the season. If they do not swarm as
soon [crossed out: illegible] they are sufficiently numerous to throw good swarms, I make artificial swarms,
but even if half swarm naturally, by setting each new swarm on the spot where
a stock stood that has not swarmed and managing in my way, I can [inserted: make my] doubled
[crossed out: my] swarms even if only half the hives swarm [crossed out: illegible]. If any of the doubled hives have old
queens those allowed to remain, until the young ones in the hives which have swarmed
are nearly ready to come forth, sealed queens taken to replace the old one. In this
way no Queen need be kept later than the spring or early summer of her 3rd year. 
If casting is prevented and the first swarms were early surplus honey may be expected
from the old stocks. If casting [inserted: is permitted] or artificial swarms are made they will coming early
lay in a good supply, and make good stocks for another season. If the greatest
amount of surplus honey is my object I end the season with 18 stocks. If I wish
to increase my colonies more rapidly still 6 hives yield large [inserted: surplus] stores. [crossed out: illegible] If a hive
swarms, half of the bees may be taken to strengthen [inserted: the swarm] [crossed out: it] from one which has not swarmed, young bees will thus
be at once hatching. By having the bees managed in this way perhaps more honey will be secured then
by changing the plan. A water feeder almost indispensable when hives are [illegible] in breeding season.