Putting on Super Hive
A colony established a year or more is called a “stock,” by way of distinction from a swarm of the present year. Supposing the hive to be a stock, the super should be given them at the early part of the season, say, if fine and warm, at the latter end of April or beginning of May; if the weather be then unfavourable, it is better to delay doing so until a more genial temperature. If the colony be a swarm of the present year, two weeks should be allowed to elapse from the time of tenanting a hive, before putting on the super; this delay is necessary to give the bees the opportunity of building combs in their new domicile, and of getting a store of honey for themselves before working for their master.
When it is wished to use a super, the crown-board or roof of the stock-hive must be taken away, the thin adapting or honey-board taking its place. The two long slits at the sides are to give admission to the super. The bees will begin sooner, and work faster, if the eight bars are each furnished with artificial comb (as described at page 152). We have had depriving-hives very quickly filled when the bees were thus assisted. Combs that have been left unfilled may be fixed to the bars as before described; these must be white and clean, as dark comb should not be used for super hives. The combs, when filled, may be taken out singly, if desired for consumption, substituting an empty bar or comb; or, should the bee-keeper desire to see a handsome super, he must wait until the bees have filled and sealed up all the combs, and then he may proceed to disconnect the super by drawing a string or wire between the adapting-board and the stock-hive. After waiting a short time for the commotion to subside, the operator must raise the super on its board and blow in a little smoke. The bees may be induced to quit by adopting either of the means described at pages 58 and 73. When the super has been removed, another may be put on; but if the honey-gathering be over, the crown-board should be replaced.