A common cause of loss is through attempting to winter colonies that
are too small. It is somewhat difficult to set a standard for colony
strength at this season, but in general it may be stated that it is
unwise to attempt to winter colonies that are not strong enough to have
brood sufficient to fill three to four Langstroth frames two months
before the packing is applied. If the colonies in the apiary are not of
the proper strength it is wise to unite until the proper strength is
reached. Any uniting should be done at least two weeks before packing.
There is a tendency in some localities for colonies to weaken rapidly
in early fall, due to the nature of the honey-flow from fall flowers.
To some degree this may be offset by putting on the packing earlier
than otherwise would be necessary.
It is highly important that each colony have a vigorous queen in order
that brood-rearing may continue in the fall and may proceed rapidly
in the spring. With colonies such as are obtained by the methods here
described it is not desirable to keep queens more than two years and
it is preferable to requeen the entire apiary every season. To get the
best results in requeening all young queens should be introduced so
that they will begin laying two months before packing. It will be found
that queens wear out more rapidly in the unusually strong colonies
obtained by the methods of wintering here described, but every good
beekeeper realizes that it is these enormous colonies which get the
greatest crops.