July 7th 1852. 
Nucleus plan. May 15. Have a large number of nuclei [illegible]. 
Rapid increase. If a few strong stocks were kept about a mile from the main
apiary, in a ten chest box, a dozen comb with eggs of workers
all covered with bees might easily be carried by one person, these put into as
many different hives in the main apiary, the most of the bees will adhere,
by last of May, or just before young queens hatch, the nuclei may be strengthened
by having one comb with maturing workers, as soon as the young Queens commence
laying, give them one or two more combs with maturing brood, they will now be able
to build new comb and will advance very rapidly. Nuclei may be formed in
any of the ways mentioned. The stocks which are to build them up are never
reduced so much in bees that they cannot build comb vigorously. Their energies will
be given to comb building and brood rearing. They will have but little honey and
will need to be fed, but if they have comb a small expense in feeding will
make them safe. 1st of June form another lot of nuclei, and 11th of June
another. Say that I have 20 strong colonies in spring, form 40 nuclei 15th
of May, equivalent to two combs with bees from each hive. 1st of June, 40 more. 
The [illegible] first to have [crossed out: two] [inserted: one] comb with maturing workers, this will take [illegible]
comb from each hive. 11th of June 40 more, the last 40 to have [crossed out: two] [inserted: one] comb
of maturing workers. This will take four combs from each hive. 1st of July
the last 40 to have two combs from each old hive with maturing workers,
14 combs have now been taken from each old hive, and they will not be
injured by the operation. Allow 20 for failures, and the colonies have been
multiplied sixfold, and in a good district and average season they will
not need much feeding. If only one half this could be done so as to get a
three or fourfold increase what an impetus would be given to bee culture. 
July 19th. Let nuclei be formed say in June, and [illegible] in July, so as
to keep colonies strong to gather honey at the right seasons. When the buckwheat is in
blossom then build them up to the required strength. (20th) if bees are not working
briskly when you want to catch by moving, you may feed in open air until
they are flying strong. 
Nucleus. To get brood comb for, cut out of side and bottom of comb enough
 (May 4th, 1861) to make comb for a small frame, as soon as
bees replace and eggs are laid, cut again, second time cuts
very easy, then again, etc. 
Nucleus box, see N o. 



