69 



itroducing the queen, and keep her caged for two days, 

 xamine the stock a few days after introducing a queen, to 

 scertain if she is all right. The best time to liberate a queen 

 lat is caged in a hive is after dusk. 



If the dome cage (55) is used, get the queen into the cage, 

 lace the latter on a card, and then lay the card on the 

 )mb of a frame taken from the centre of the hive in which 



is proposed to introduce her, laying the frame horizontally 

 )r that purpose, and uncapping a few of the cells of honey 

 lat will be under the cage : then carefully withdraw the card, 

 ad while taking great care not to injure the queen, screw the 

 ige into the comb to the depth of the cells ; leave it thus for 

 )rty-eight hours, and then release the queen; after doing so, 

 atch her closely, and if the bees attack her, cage her again 

 Qd leave her for twenty-four hours longer, after which she 

 lay be released. 



>s a general rule, queens may be introduced to hives by the 



"direct " method, with every prospect of 



153. Direct Intro- success, provided that the operation is per- 



duction of formed after nightfall, and that the queen 



Queens. has been fasting for at least half-an-hour. 



Place the queen in an ordinary chip box for 



Dlding wooden matches ; after dark, lift one corner of the quilt, 



lace the match box over the space between two end frames, so 



lat when the box is pushed open the opening will be next the 



'ames ; push the box open, and the queen will move quietly 



ito the hive ; cover up and leave the hive undisturbed for two 



ays. Endeavour during this operation not to disturb the bees, 



ad if they should be disturbed, postpone the introduction of 



le queen, unless a smoker can be used at once to drive down 



le bees, before the queen is introduced. 



Sees may be safely forwarded by post in boxes made for the 

 purpose, accompanied by a few workers 

 •54. Sending ftueens and a supply of food. The style of box 

 by Post. illustrated (Q, Fig. 17) is very suitable; it 



consists of a piece of wood 4 inches long by 

 inches broad by | inch thick, in which two holes of IJ inches 

 iameter are bored to a depth of J inch, the holes being 1 inch 

 part from centre to centre ; two smaller holes f inch in 

 iameter are bored to the same depth at the end of and opening 

 ito one of the large holes ; the box is covered with a lid of 

 erforated zinc, secured at one end by a tack. When required 

 »r use, a mixture of honey and fine white sugar should be 

 laced in the small holes, the queen is then placed in the large 

 )ace with six or eight workers, the cover is tied in position, 

 ad thus secured the box may be forwarded by post without any 

 irther covering. For instructions as to catching queea nee 

 aragraph 151. 



