26 



THE REAEING OF QUEEN BEES. 



A size of nucleus which has proven to save botli time and labor in 

 the apiary of the Department of Agriculture is one having- a comb 

 area somewhat less than one standard Langstroth frame. The hive 

 bodies were originally made large enough to hold five frames, as shown 



Fig. 16. — Benton mating boxes, showing method of combining frames to make a standard sized 

 frame, and positions of feeders (original). 



in figure 16; but, in practice, three or even two are used, ana the extra 

 room is an advantage in moving the frames quickly. The construction 

 of the frames is shown better in the illustration than could be done by 

 a written description. Any frame used in a nucleus should be so made 

 that it can be used as part of 

 a standard-sized frame, or so 

 that a number of them fit into 

 an empt}" frame; for other- 

 wise it is diflicult to get them 

 filled with honey and brood 

 before making up the nuclei. 

 The frames of this particular 

 nucleus box are one-third 

 standard size, and two full 

 ones and one only partly 

 built out have given most 

 satisfactory results. If the 

 bees are read}' to build, some 

 place should be left for new 

 comb; otherwise they will 

 build small combs to the 

 cover. A feeder is attached 

 either to the back of the hive bod}", or in front over the entrance, and 

 these can be filled very rapidly when feeding is necessary. A colony 

 of this size requires much less attention in this regard than the smaller 

 size, and is correspondingly better. 



Fig. 17. — Benton mailing cages, showing construction. 

 The larger size is for shipment to distant countries. 

 The smaller cage may be used for shipments to Europe 

 (original). 



