412 MISCELLANEOUS. 



This is best done by removing a frame (if the hive 

 is full) of comb from adjoining the brood and substi- 

 tuting an empty one in its place : the cage is then laid 

 on the center bar of the frame so that the bees will 

 be sure to cluster around her. The door and lid of 

 the hive are then to be closed and kept so for ten or 

 twelve hours. If the bees are fed liberally during 

 this time, it hastens a reconciliation. 



At the end of the above time open the hive again 

 and set the queen at liberty, and at the same time 

 observe if any bees are disposed to molest her as she 

 mingles among them. If she moves off without 

 being immediately attacked it is a sign that she is 

 received, and the hive may be properly arranged 

 without fear of failure. But if attacked, immediately 

 return her to her cage and keep her confined for 

 some time longer, which, however, need never exceed 

 from eighteen to twenty-four hours from the time she 

 is first imprisoned to ensure a safe reception. 



UNITING BEES OF DIFFERENT FAMILIES. 



Bees of different families may frequently be united 

 with advantage. If done during the season of rapid 

 breeding and gathering of honey, they will generally 

 unite peaceably. But if not gathering honey, they 

 are liable to kill one another ; particularly the queen 

 or queens, as the case may be, are liable to be killed 

 by the bees of the opposite swarms. I have had 

 queens of weak swarms killed in this way by uniting 

 bees from other hives with them. 



