I am sure this answer will be complicated by the fact that each hive is different and each season is different. Here is a description of the process of choosing which to keep and which to kill. 

THe most usual and generally most useful manner of taking the Combes, is by killing the Bees. For which the naturall and seasonable time is the latter part of Virgo from the end of the Dog-daies unto Libra: because till then the Combes are full of Schadons, which deceive the Honi-men, making the Hive heavier and the Honie worse: (for the young bee as well as the Coome corrupt the same) … and after that time, the weather waxeth colder, not so fit for the running and working of the Honie: and the Honie is likely to decrease, either by their owne spending or by the spoiling of Robbers. Except in the heath-countries, where their gathering lasteth longer : for there they defer their taking untill Mid-Libra.

At this time you will therefore consider with your selfe what Stalls you will kill. Swarmes that may live, yeerlings and two yeerlings that are in proofe, keep for store. Likewise those that rid their Drones betimes, and specially those that draw out their young Cepheris. Those of three or foure yeeres, which, by reason of their not swarming this last summer, are full of Bees, lightly are fat, and therefore worth the taking but they are also good for store, unlesse the frequent Honi-dewes have made them over fat. But those of that age which have cast twice (except they were very forward and had beat away their Drones betimes) are not likely to continue and therefore are to be taken. 

Likewise all poore swarmes unworthy to be fed, and all light stocks whose stocks are decayed: For they will surely die. Neither is it safe to trust any after they have stood five yeeres : unless it be some speciall kind of Bees, which cast often, and yet beating away their Drones betimes, doe still keep themselves in heart. For such I have kept nine or ten yeeres : and I have heard of some of a greater age. Moreover, all stalls of three yeeres old and upward, that have mist swarming two yeeres together : and especially those, that having lyen forth the summer before, did not cast this last summer : for such doe seldom after prosper. It is therefore better to take them now while they are good, than in a vaine hope of increase, to keepe them till they perish. Likewise if you have any that are very fat and full of Honie, (as some yeeres some will be, even down to the Stoole) those are ripe and ready to yield their fruit. One such is worth three or foure. Take them therefore in their season : For wanting roome to breed in (their Cells being full of Honie) they will decay little by little, and consume to nothing. And therefore, as in a wet hungry yeere you must keepe the best, so in a dry yeeere, rich and plentifull in Honie-dewes, the worst are like to prove best for store. 

But generally take the best, and the worst. In medio virtus. And ever suspect those that did not rid their Drones in time. Also, those which the Robbers doe eagerly assault, and if their Combes bee once broken, delay not their taking. 

Charles Butler (1609) The Feminine Monarchie

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html