92 CHANGING OLD QUEENS FOR YOUNG ONES. 



change was very rapid. In about two months not a 

 native or black bee could be found about the hive 

 — all were Italians. The natives had gradually de- 

 creased, until all had disappeared, showing con- 

 clusively that they had died in the same ratio that 

 they would have passed away from a stock naturally. 

 During the winter season, as the bee is in a dormant 

 state for the greater part of the time, they are given 

 a longer lease of life. 



When it is discovered that a stock has a barren 

 queen, or has lost its queen, or from any cause she 

 has ceased to be prolific (and in consequence the 

 bees are dwindling away,) take means immediately 

 to substitute a prolific and healthy queen in her 

 place, and at the same time re-enforce the stock, 

 by taking one or more frames filled with hatching 

 brood from a populous stock, and exchanging for 

 those destitute of brood. In this manner the bees 

 will be increased so as to insure safety for a few 

 days, after which the stock, having been furnished 

 with a prolific, healthy queen, will regain their 

 former prosperity and vigor. 



The queen being the mother of the entire swarm, 

 and consequently all increase being dependent on 

 her, every intelligent bee keeper will readily un- 

 derstand that in order to succeed, he must be sure 

 that each stock has a prolific queen. 



