> Putting the new foundation or empty combs in the middle is rather
> drastic, as far as splitting the brood nest.  What I do is push the
> remaining combs with BROOD together in the center of the hive body,
> and have the pollen/honey and honey combs at the sides, outermost.
> The replacement combs or foundation then go in the space between the
> consolidated brood combs and the outer food combs.
 
I have wondered about this the many years I have been doing this, and
one time do it one way, and another time, another -- sometimes in
the same yard.
 
I supppose it has to do with the 'art' side of beekeeping.  When you
have a hive apart, it is apparent whether they are good wax makers,
or not.  This is part of the unconscious decision making process.
Other fators, such as the strength, time of year, flow, swarming
factors, etc. will be part of the decision too, as will be the
question of how many adult bees will remain in the parent hive.
 
I notice each fall that some few hives have failed to complete the
foundation, while others have done beautifully, regardless of the
position of the foundation.
 
FWIW
 
Regards
 
Allen
 
W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper                                         VE6CFK
RR#1, Swalwell, Alberta  Canada T0M 1Y0
Internet:[log in to unmask] & [log in to unmask]
Honey. Bees, & Art <http://www.internode.net/~allend/>