114 INCREASE 
frame. This plan will not work well with Italians, for unless 
greatly disturbed they do not run about much, but simply dive 
into the cells and begin to take up a load of honey. 
The Cage Method.—By far the most common method of in- 
troduction is the cage method, and it is generally regarded as the 
Fic. 56. Muller Queen Cage. 
safest method as well. By this method the queen is confined in 
a cage (Figs. 56 and 57) which may be placed between the 
combs in the hive for two or three days before she is released. 
If she comes by mail in the ordinary mailing cage there will be 
a quantity of candy between the queen and the opening which is 
closed by a cork. If the colony has not been queenless the cork 
Fic. 57.—Benton queen cage. This is the cage usually used for sending queens by mail 
may be removed at once unless the candy is nearly eaten through, 
in which case the cork had best be left in for a day or two. 
Usually it will require two or three days for the bees to eat away 
the candy and to release her. In the meantime she will have 
acquired the common hive odor and the bees will have become 
familiar with her, so that there is little danger but that she will 
be accepted. 
