The Bee-Master of Warrilow. 



queen could be hatched and got ready for work; and then 

 the honey-harvest would be over. But see how precious 

 time can be saved under the modern system." 



He led the way to a hive which stood some distance 

 apart from the rest. It was much smaller than the others, 

 and consisted merely of a row of little boxes, each with its 

 separate entrance, but all under one common roof. The 

 old bee-man opened one of the compartments, and lifted 

 out its single comb-frame, on which were clustered only a 

 few hundred bees. Searching among these with a wary 

 forefinger, at last he seized one by the wings and held it 

 up to view. 



" This is a spare queen," said he. " 'Tis always wise 

 to bring a few to the heather, against any mischance. And 

 now we'll give her to the motherless bees; and in an hour 

 or two the stock will be at work again as busily as ever." 



50 



