QUEEKS.. 151 



LOSS OF QUEENS. 



A critical time for our queens is wlien they leave the 

 hive or nucleus to meet the drones. They are liable to 

 be caught by birds, and at times, fail to enter their own 

 hives on their return. This is an excellent reason for not 

 setting hives too closely together, and also, for using a 

 variety of colors in roofs or hives, to assist them in iden- 

 tifying their own homes. An examination should be 

 made at the proper time to ascertain if the queen has 

 safely returned. 



INDICATIONS OF LOSS. 



The next morning after a loss of this kind has occurred, 

 and occasionally at evening, the bees may be seen running 

 to and fro in the greatest consternation on the outside. 

 Some will fly off a short distance, and return ; one will 

 run to another, and then to another, still in hopes, no 

 doubt, of finding their lost queen. A hive, close by, will 

 probably receive a portion, and will seldom resist an ac- 

 cession under such circumstances. Afl this will be going 

 on while other hives are quiet. Towards the middle of 

 the day, the confusion will be less marked ; but the next 

 morning it will be exhibited again, though not so plainly, 

 and will cease after the third, when they become appar- 

 ently reconciled to their fate. They will continue their 

 labors as usual, bringing in pollen and honey. Here I 

 am obliged to differ with writers, who tell us that all 

 labor will now cease. I hope the reader will not be de- 

 ceived by supposing that the collection of pollen is an 

 infallible indication of the presence of a queen. I can 

 assure him it is not always the case. 



When such conditions are noticed, it is well to exam- 

 ine the hive lo see if a queen can be found. Or, if the 

 bee-keeper is iiiexperienced in finding queens, he may 

 mark the date, and after a day or two has passed, look for 



