On the recent subject of swarm prevention and splits, I am a fan of making nucs (small splits) early in the spring (first week of April for us in Maryland). These small splits are given 4 medium frames of brood (I run an all medium operation), and a new queen. These nucs are later sold for $40 each, with a good market. The main colonies benefit from the nuc as a swarm prevention measure, local beekeepers get new colonies, and I get some cash for my efforts. W. G. Miller Gaithersburg, MD