One old beekeeper told me the following measure:
One bee covers round three cells and a squer 10 x 10 cm contains round 800
cells (both sides). This means that one Lnagstroth frame 448 x 232 mm has
about 8,6 dm2 - let's consider 8 dm2 of comb what represents 6.400 of
cells which can be covered by round 2.200 bees. From this ratio one can
estimate that one frame of brood (corner to corner) will serve bees
for three frames withing the maximum period of three veeks (or sooner if
the brood had been  partially or totally capped). Even if not quite
accurate this way of thinking is wery practical in evaluating colonies and
their development.
Best regards,
Vladimir Ptacek
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Fac. Sci., Dpt. Anim. Physiol.        E.mail: [log in to unmask]
Masaryk University                    phone:  .42/5/41129 562
611 37 Brno, Czech Republic           fax:    .42/5/41211 214