-142 QUEENS. 



latter were formed, but the bees are more liable to de- 

 stroy tliem, than when the nuclei have been established 

 for a day or two. 



These cells given the nuclei will usually hatch during 

 the next four or five days. If they fail to do so, it is 

 best to supply them with other cells. Care must be 

 taken to remove any cells that may be started upon the 

 combs furnished these hives. Also, as the queens appear, 

 they should be examined to see if they are perfect in all 

 respects. As they are removed for various purposes, other 

 cells may be famished. The queen will fly out for fer- 

 tilization in from four to six days from leaving the cell, 

 under favorable circumstances. In three or four days 

 after impregnation, she will usually begin to lay, when 

 her wing may be clipped. If she does not begin within 

 two weeks from the time she was hatched, I would advise 

 destroying her. 



QUEEK NURSERY. 



Dr. Jewell Davis, of Illinois, has invented what is called 

 a queen-nursery, designed for hatching and holding extra 

 queens. Its dimensions correspond with those of the 

 frames used, and it may be placed in a full hive for the 

 purposes indicated (see fig. 60). 



QUEEN CAGES. 



A simple and practical queen-cage is essential in every 

 apiary. A goodly number of them should always be on 

 hand convenient for immediate use. A good one that 

 will meet all requirements is shown in fig. 62, i. Make it 

 of light wire-cloth, eight mesh or eight wires to the inch. 



The open end should be made of the selvedge of the 

 wire-cloth, or if a cut edge is used, one wire should be 

 ravelled out, and all the ends nicely bent back, as the 

 queen would be likely to receive injury while being caged, 

 if the sharp ends of the wire projected at the edge. 



