FOREIGN BEES. 163 



Drones are, for the most part, quietly resting from tlieir 

 midday wanderings, the Drone-containing hive is opened 

 and thoroughly warmed, diluted honey is sprinkled over 

 Bees and frames, the cover is replaced, and a food bottle 

 containing the before-mentioned Bee delicacy placed 

 upon it. The nucleus is now brought from its hiding- 

 place and positioned as before, care being taken that the 

 sun shines as fully as possible into the flight-hole. Let 

 the nucleus now receive, by lifting carefully the cover, a 

 gentle libation of warm Bee nectar, and shortly, in all 

 probability, the Queen will issue to be joined by one of 

 the Drones, which in large numbers will now be career- 

 ing in merry mood around the excited stock. Should 

 she fail to come forth, the operation must be repeated on 

 the succeeding day." 



A process described in the American Bee Journal 

 advises keeping the young Queen with a few Drones 

 from flying until so late in the afternoon, that all other 

 Drones have ceased flying. The hive or nucleus is then 

 opened, and a teacup full of warm honey or syrup 

 poured a little at a time directly on the cluster. This 

 sets the Bees all in excitement. Very soon the Queen, 

 Drones and all, issue for a flight. If at a proper age 

 (about a week old), the Queen will probaby return 

 impregnated within half an hour. The hive and bees 

 may be placed in a cellar, when the Queen is three days 

 old, and kept there three or four days to prevent chance 

 impregnation. 



M 2 



