CHAPTER XI 



Shipping Queens. 



The Benton cage, Figure 36, is almost universally used in 

 this country for shipping purposes. So generally is it used, 



that it is as staple as any other item 



/^"~>-^_^ of beekeeping equipment, and can be 



/ /T^~-^C^J^^^___ purchased through any dealer in 



17 ^^~~''«ii,^, ~~-i^l supplies. While cages ready stocked 

 ^-^^^ f^ with candy are offered for sale, most 

 IJOOBu^S/^ queen breeders prefer to make their 



_, „ ^'^'S "":,. own candy and thus save some cost, 



The Benton mailing cage. ,, . . ^ 



as well as makmg it fresh as needed. 

 Making the Candy. 



Candy for queen cages is made of honey and sugar. Under 

 the postal regulations it is necessary to boil the honey for at 

 least thirty minutes, unless the apiary from which it and the 

 queens are taken has been inspected by some duly qualified 

 officer, who is authorized to issue a certificate of health. 



Care must be used, also, to make sure that the sugar used 

 contains no starch. Powdered sugar is used for candy making, 

 and some powdered sugar contains starch, which is detrimental 

 to the bees confined for long in the cages. 



Heat the honey and stir in as much of the powdered sugar 

 as can be mixed in by stirring. When no more can be added 

 by stirring, spread the powdered sugar on a mixing board and 

 remove the dough to the board and mix it like a batch of bis- 

 cuits. Some experience is necessary to determine when it is 

 just the right consistency, neither too hard nor too soft. 



According to Root, boiled honey as required by the postal 

 regulations, does not give satisfactory results where queens are 

 confined for long journeys. Since the idea of the regulation is 



87 



