. The Bee-keepers' review. Bee culture. 200 TBE BEiPrs^l Artificial Increase of Colonies. L. A. ASPINWAIiL. JN view of the in- herent tendency of bees to propa- gate themselves by swarming, any method of arti- ficial increase will be unfavorably re- ceived by the ma- jority of bee-keep- ers ; unless, it fol- lows the advent of a perfect non- swarming hive. However, there are many, who, for various reasons prefer In considering a method, it is of supreme importance that we conform as nearly as possible to the natural means of increase in order to obtain the best results. This being underst
. The Bee-keepers' review. Bee culture. 200 TBE BEiPrs^l Artificial Increase of Colonies. L. A. ASPINWAIiL. JN view of the in- herent tendency of bees to propa- gate themselves by swarming, any method of arti- ficial increase will be unfavorably re- ceived by the ma- jority of bee-keep- ers ; unless, it fol- lows the advent of a perfect non- swarming hive. However, there are many, who, for various reasons prefer In considering a method, it is of supreme importance that we conform as nearly as possible to the natural means of increase in order to obtain the best results. This being understood, let us note that natural swarm- ing takes place during a period when the flowers yield honey. Of course there are ex- ceptional instances. Also, the hives are usually overflowing with bees. If an ex- amination of the colony be made after swarming we will find comparatively few bees left in the hive; but, an inspection of the combs will reveal a large proportion of sealed brood—thousands upon thousands of maturing bees to repair the loss occasioned by swarming. Upon further investigation we will find the new swarm composed of young, middle aged and old bees—bees of all ages adapted to fill the requirements of a new colony—honey gatherers, wax workers, and nurse bees. The few which remain in the parent hive are likewise of various ages, with nurse bees in sufficient numbers to care for the unsealed brood. In order to produce a vigorous working colony by an artificial process, the first es- sential is to have it composed of bees of various ages. 2nd. That it be made during a honey flow, or period of natural increase. 2rd. That it be separated from the combs of the parent colony. In absence of the swarming impulse, un- der which the bees of natural swarms mark and adhere to a new location, it becomes necessary to reverse the order, by removing the comb structure of the hive, and allow- ing the forced swarm to occupy the familiar hive and location. At this juncture excell
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectbeecult, bookyear1888
