QUEEN'S. 14rV 



CLIPPING queens' wings. 



This practice is thought by many to be one of the new 

 discoveries of the age. Mr. Langstroth tells us in his 

 work that it was followed in Virgil's time, and also men- 

 tions an account bearing date as early as 1766, of a bee- 

 master in Spain who carefully clipped the wings of his 

 queen-bees, to prevent loss by swarming. There are, 

 doubtless, some slight evils incident to the practice. 



I am satisfied that I have had many fine queens super- 

 seded from the dissatisfaction of the bees with a queen 

 with this imperfection. I do not imagine, however, that 

 it IS any real detriment to the value of the queen. There 

 are so many arguments in favor of the practice that I 

 could not relinquish it, even if it involved a much greater 

 loss. The chances of loss from other sources are very 

 much reduced, and the benefit reaUzed in various opera- 

 tions, as demonstrated herein, proves its utility and en- 

 tire practicability. 



THE PROCESS. 



It may be done with a sharp knife, or with a pair of 

 scissors. If a knife is used, grasp the 

 queen by the forward part of the body, 

 and place the wing to be removed upon 

 a smooth surface, and cut about one 

 half of it away (fig. 63). If scissors 

 are preferred, use those with round 

 points, as they are less liable to in- 

 jure the queen, and may be more safely ^^^ 63.-q™en with 

 carried in the pocket than sharp point- clipped wraa 

 ed ones. The inexpert would do better to handle the 

 queen by the wings. 



HOW TO HANDLE A QUEEU. 



To handle a queen with perfect safety to her majesty 

 requires some experience, Never allow the least pressure 



