158 PRODUCTION OF COMB HONEY 



to remove the tendency to sit on the part of the hen, by natural 

 selection. In a state of nature only a few eggs were laid but 

 now behold the two hundred-egg hen, the result of the effort of 

 the breeder. 



Natural Helps. — Mr. Dadant {" Dadant System of Bee- 

 keeping ") suggests the following as desirable in swarm preven- 

 tion: (1) Ample brood chamber; (2) combs built on full sheets 

 of foundation in super as well as brood chamber; (3) ample 

 ventilation; (4) partial shade; (5) young queens; (6) few 

 drones. With these conditions met there is little necessity for 

 manipulation of the hive to keep down swarming. Although 

 the Dadants are extracted honey producers, the principles of 

 swarm control outlined above will apply to comb honey. 



Cutting Queen Cells to Prevent Swarming. — Perhaps the 

 cutting of the queen cells was the first method devised looking 

 toward swarm control. It is probably the method most com- 

 monly practised. Yet it is not entirely dependable. In some 

 instances if the cells are removed as soon as the larva? first appear 

 in them, no more will be built and there will be no swarm for that 

 year. If, however, cells are once sealed and the bees have the 

 swarming fever, they will build one batch after another until the 

 bee-keeper will find it cheaper to let them swarm and be done 

 with it, than to examine every comb and remove royal cells every 

 ten days all summer. Occasionally one will be missed and then 

 out comes your swarm whether or no. 



De-queening During the Honey Flow. — A few bee-keepers 

 go through all their colonies during the honey flow when it is 

 expected that eggs laid will not mature in time to be of assistance 

 during the harvest and kill all the queens. At this time queen 

 cells will be built in many colonies in preparation for swarming. 

 All cells will be cut out at the same time. Weak colonies or 

 others not likely to swarm are passed, as are also any favorites 



