14 QUEEN-REARING IN ENGLAND. 



match, off which it is picked, in little quantities, on the 

 point of the other match and deposited in the bottoms of 

 the cups. One queen-cell usually contains enough jelly to 

 prime 40 to 60 cups, for only a minute quantity is placed 

 in each cup. A large quantity -is worse than useless, for 

 the bees are likely to suck it up and destroy the larva. 



Sometimes the larvae of the right 

 size can only be found in a tough old 

 comb and scattered singly among 

 cells containing older brood or 

 pollen. Then some skill is needed 

 to get them out without injuring 

 them. But if one enlarges the 

 mouths of the cells with a pocket 

 knife, arid is aided by a good light, 

 practice soon makes even this an 

 easy operation, though not a quick 

 one. It is advisable to give a new 

 comb occasionally and so gradually 

 to work out the old comb. 

 The larvae should be given to the bees as soon after they 

 ha\'e been placed in the cups as possible, not only because 

 long exposure to the air is liable to chill them — the tem- 

 perature of the brood nest being about 97 degrees F. — but 



Fig. 12. 

 The larva in tiie Cup. 



Fig. 13. 

 Starting the larv?e.— After 18 hours. 



