$8 THE beekeepers' DIRECTORY. 



run towards the hive look sharp for the queens. By placing 

 a drone-trap at the entrance of each hive there would be less 

 trouble in finding the queens. When found give one, to each 

 lot of bees. Do not touch the queens with the hands, or with 

 anything that would be likely to give them a foreign smell, 

 as they would most likely be killed. No smoke is usually 

 needed for such an operation, yet it is always best to be well 

 prepared for the unexpected, therefore the smoker should be 

 at hand in case it is needed. In this case a little smoke would 

 prevent the bees injuring the queens. 



When the queens have been found, the traps should be re- 

 moved, and as soon as the bees have entered the hive remove 

 them to a stand and no further trouble will ensue. 



Artificial increase of the apiary. 



Twenty years ago this subject was considered a most im- 

 portant one, but now most beekeepers have all the informa- 

 tion on this point that is really necessary. This reminds me 

 of a little conversation I happened to hear one day. About 

 the time mowing machines were first introduced, we had one 

 of those wet seasons, in fact, it was so wet that nearly all 

 the hay crop hereabouts was ruined. An old farmer hap- 

 pened along and of course he growled about so much rain. 

 All people find fault who have to depend upon the weather 

 for a part, or all of their living, such as beekeepers, for in- 

 stance. Well, says a man to the old farmer, " Why don't 

 yoa buy a mowing machine?" " Mowing machine," says the 

 farmer, "I will buy a drying machine if I can find one." Well, 

 this is about the fix that most beekeepers of the present day 

 are in. What is wanted is not a knowledge as to how to in- 

 crease their apiary, but how to prevent swarming and in- 

 crease. 



Notwithstanding this fact, there are many beekeepers who 

 would like to increase their apiaries. Considering this and 

 appreciating the fact also, that the best way to enlarge the 

 apiary is by artificial increase, I will give a plan for forming 

 new colonies. I wi,ll not say that it is the best method and 

 will not claim that this method is applicable to all localities, 

 yet, here in New England, it works well. 



About Aug. 1, 1888, or about three weeks after the close of 



