The criticism that "beekeeping has changed, the old ways don't apply" would be valid if it were true. But my contention is that it isn't true, the best results are always to be obtained with strong colonies. A honey bee colony "wants" to gain full strength, why thwart it? 

This is more "recent" ;-)

> The beekeeper who operates full-strength colonies can produce several times more honey per colony than the beekeeper who operates at a lower level of efficiency with small colonies. Well-reared queens of superior stock will require a higher standard of management than common stock. 

> To realize the maximum benefits from improved stock, the beekeeper must provide _unrestricted room_ for brood rearing, ripening of nectar, and storage of honey. Although large colonies will use more pollen and honey in their development, they will frequently replace their food reserves from nectar flows that are not in evidence with inferior colonies. The use of superior stock in hive equipment adapted to common stock may result in severe losses through swarming. 

> The provision of food reserves adequate for common stock may result in starvation of superior stock; however, the superior stock, even though it consumes more honey, may be expected to produce a larger surplus than it consumes. 

— Moeller, F. E. (1961). The relationship between colony populations and honey production as affected by honey bee stock lines. Entomology Research Division, USDA Agricultural Research Service

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