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the cells with only enoiif^li around 

 it to keep it liviiif^, pood queens 

 need not be expected if such be 

 used. Then it is that the comb 

 from which it is to be used should 

 be K'ven to bees without brood at 

 least 24 hours in advance. 



The majority will be more 

 successful in havinff cups ac- 

 cepted, and attain better results, 

 if they first be given to bees de- 

 prived of both queen and all un- 

 sealed brood from 6 to 12 hours 

 previously. 



Nursing' begins the instant 

 they are given, if the bees be 

 long enough queenless to receive 

 them, which is of vital import- 

 ance, as the larvit once neglected 

 are slow in development and re- 

 sult in dwarft queens. 



In preparing bees to start 

 cells, it hastens matters wonder- 

 fully if they be shaken from the 

 combs, whether it be from the 

 combs of one hive on to those of 

 another, or right into the same 

 hive. 



When they are thus disturbed 

 they begin to search for the 

 queen immediately, realizing, I 

 suppose, that she is liable to an 

 accident under such treatment, 

 and they act very much like a 

 swarm when the queen is mist. 



If shaken from the combs of 

 a normal colony on to combs 

 minus brood, from 3 to 6 hours 

 is ample time, and sometimes 

 the cups have to be given sooner 

 to quiet them. 



At the time when the great- 

 est distress is shown is when 

 they will accept the greatest 

 number, and the chances for the 

 best results lessen as they recon- 

 cile themselves to their condition. 



If one is making a business, 

 of queen-rearing he should keep 

 a colony at work as cell-starters. 

 Fill a bodj' with combs of brood 

 and place it over the colony se- 

 lected, with an excluder between. 

 Twelve days later place this body 

 on a bottom-board, minus the 

 most of the board, with wire- 

 cloth tackt on as a ventilator ; 

 stop the entrance so that no bees 

 can escape ; shake the bees from 

 the combs and examine them for 

 cells, removing any that are 

 found. 



Substitute a comb '4 full of 

 water, for one in the hive, or 

 pour a little vs'ater into one, as 

 they will consume quite a bit 

 when thus shut up, and remove 

 as many more as there are 

 batches of cells wanted, to make 

 places between other combs to 

 receive them. 



The bees -will cluster in the 

 spaces thus formed, and the cups 

 can be inserted before many bees 

 escape, which they are anxious 

 to do. 



Regardless of the kind of 

 hive used, there should be a cloth 

 over the frames before putting 

 on the top, so that it can be 

 gently rolled back and the bees 

 smoked until the spaces are 

 reacht, to avoid their escape. 



The greatest number of cups 

 I have ever given was 36, and 

 have had as many accepted. 



Usually I prepare the bees 

 about y o'clock a.m., give them 



