THE REARING OF QUEEN BEES. 19 



the ends of cells. This method is veiy simple, since it does awaj^ with 

 the necessity for transferring, and gives good results; but the cells 

 must be cut apart to be put in nurseries, and in this manipulation they 

 lack the firmness of cells with wooden bases. It has also been recom- 

 mended that drone comb be used in the same way, and that a lar^^a be 

 transferred into every other cell. This plan, however, does not 

 possess the one really good feature of the Alley method, and has there- 

 fore nothing to commend it. 



THE USE OF "cocoons." 



Another plan, used by several queen breeders, is that of transferring 

 the larva in the "cocoon" to an artificial cell cup. The comb is cut 

 down until quite thin (about three-sixteenths inch), and then bent 

 back and forth until the lining of larval skins and the excreta, gener- 



FiQ. 8.— Frame %vith a strip of foundation only partly drawn out, with larvse in cells, cut according 



to Alley plan of cell starting (original). 



ally called the "cocoon" by bee keepers, is loosened. This is trans- 

 ferred by forceps, or on the end of a rounded stick with a depression 

 in the end. This plan does not require the use of royal jelly; but it 

 takes considera])le practice to make the transfer successfully and seems 

 to be no better than the method of transferring larva? alone. 



COMPLETING QUEEN CELLS. 

 INCUBATORS. 



The carrying up of queen cells to the time when the adult virgin 

 queen emerges is much easier than the starting of the cells. Cells 

 once started may be hung in a queenless colony without any covering 

 or protection, and it is an easy matter to have a large number cared 

 for. In the practical work of the Department apiary it is custoinaiy 



