16 



THE REAEING OF QUEEN BEES. 



under confinement is the same as the swarming- impulse, we ao not 

 know definitel}'; but, what is more to the purpose, we do know that 

 they accept large numbers of queen cells. 



DESCRIPTION OF BOX. 



A style of swarm box which has proven very satisfactory in the 

 Department apiary is made large enough to hold five frames of 

 standard Langstroth size (see figs. 6 and 7). The bottom is covered 



with wire cloth, and 

 small wooden strips, 

 nailed on each end, 

 raise the bottom from 

 the table or floor on 

 which the box rests and 

 thus allow abundant 

 ventilation. The top 

 of the box is remov- 

 able, and has cut in it 

 two slots, into which 

 are fitted two cell bars. 

 Holes are bored in the 

 latter to accommodate 

 16 flanged wooden cell 

 bases. These slots, 

 which run almost the 

 entire length of the 

 box, are so placed that 

 if a frame of comb be put on each side of the box and another exactly 

 in the middle, the slots are directly above the intervening spaces. This 

 then places the cell cups directl}^ over the two spaces left in the box. 



METHOD OF USE. 



In practice, this box is placed on the ground in front of any hive 

 from which a considerable number of bees can be taken. The two 

 side frames are placed in the box, and bees from about six frames of 

 the hive are shaken into it, the middle frame is inserted, and the box 

 is closed. The slots should contain the cell bars and the wooden cells, 

 which are, however, still empty. The frames used in the swarm box 

 must contain honey; pollen, and water, but no brood, and the operator 

 must be absolutely sure that the queen of the colony from which the 

 bees are drawn is not in the swarm box. To allow easy manipulation, 

 the lid of the box should be nailed down or otherwise secured and the 

 box removed to a cellar or other cool place for about six hours. It 

 has been found even better to use onl}^ one frame, properl}^ provi- 

 sioned, in place of three, placing it in the middle of the box; but for 



6. — bwarm box, showing position of frames and inner side of 

 lid, with wooden cells in place, ready for bees (original). 



