THE BEE-KEEPERS' REVIEW. 



159 



make the frame, take a pioce of soft wood 

 V in. X ^2 iu. x.".'.2 iu. louy for the top bar, 

 and two pieces l'^' iu. loiit; for the euds — 

 bore a quarter iuch hole marly throuyrh one 

 eud piece iu the direction of the greatest 

 width, preferably near one eud, to receive 



FRAME - WOBK OF CAGE. 



food for the queen. With 11^ inch brads 

 nail through the top bar iu the direction of 

 the greatest width into the end pieces, mak- 

 ing a frame without bottom bar l^X in. x l}-2 

 inches inside measurement. The food hole 

 should be below. Over this frame fasten 

 the cheese-cloth using eight small tacks, 



CAOE HEADY FOR THE QUEEN. 



leaving one corner open to receive the queen. 

 The cloth in width should not exceed the 

 frame in length, and for cool weather may 

 be slightly less. To hold it between the 

 frames when introducing, two small pieces 

 of tin are fastened to the top bar so as to 

 swivel upon the nails which hold the frame 

 together. 



CAGE ALL BEADY FOB THE HIVE. 



A cheese-cloth cage cannot be opened, or 

 a release effected in less than from five to 

 twelve or more hours. While so occupied the 



bees are filled with excitement over the pres- 

 enc9 of a queen, which tends to raise the 

 temperature and impart a like scent to both. 

 The first recognition is by scent only, there 

 being no contact through the meshes as iu 

 wire cloth cages, thus creating animosity 

 wliicli requires time to overcome. A gradual 

 opening of the cage also favors feeding and 

 making acquaintance with the new queen. 



Although the cage is opened slowly, the 

 method is rapid, and precludes any prepara- 

 tion for queen cells. 



The colony to receive the queen must be in 

 a normal condition. During the ordinary 

 season it must contain a queen, and brood in 

 the regular stages. An artificially formed 

 colony, made with brood combs and bees 

 from three or four colonies will not answer. 

 Being composed of bees strange to each oth 

 er, they seemingly sulk for a day or two. 

 Such a colony should be furnished with a 

 cell, or, after their construction and remov- 

 al, the cheese-cloth cage will work admira- 

 bly. As already stated the colony must be 

 in a normal condition ; and certaiuly, that is 

 just the condition of most colonies into 

 which queens are introduced. 



Although, formerly, I removed the queens 

 to be superseded, in the morning, or about 

 eight hours previous to introduction, I now 

 wait until afternoon or towards evening, 

 when no time is given between removal of 

 the old queen and placing the cage in posi- 

 tion. In the autumn I prefer to introduce 

 after making the colony hopelessly queen- 

 less. At this period idle bees and the ten- 

 dency to rob increases their vigilance, and 

 enables them to detect strangers more read- 

 ily. 



The queen should be enclosed within the 

 cage just previous to opening the hive for 

 her reception. A supply of food, either from 

 the shipping cage or prepared by mixing 

 honey with pulverized sugar forming a thick 

 paste should be placed in the food hole. 

 Neglect to furnish food will often result in 

 starvation of the queen. In order to prevent 

 an escape of the queen by flight, I usually 

 perform the work of caging indoors. Open 

 the cage sufficiently to receive her. Great 

 care should be exercised when handling a 

 queen. By inclining the cage upward she 

 can generally be induced to enter. Allow 

 no bees to accompany her ; after which, 

 draw the cloth in place and secure it by press- 

 ing the tacks instead of driving them and 

 jarring the queen. I usually save the escort 



