FIFTY YEARS AMONG THE BEES 239 



BEITSHING BEES OFi' QDEBN-CELLS. 



Before cutting cells from the comb the bees muot be re- 

 moved, and it would mean the ruin of the oeUu to shake the 

 bees off. Brushing with a Coggshall brush, although it might 

 do with extreme care, would be likely to result in torn cells. 

 Even something no stiffer than goldenrod or sweet clover needs 

 much care. I like best a bunch of long and soft June grass — a 

 very flimsy affair to use as a brush, but it is safe. 



Fig. 88.- — Comb for Queen-Cells. 



ADVANTAGE OF CAGING CELLS. 



Of course the object of caging the cells is to prevent the 

 bees from tearing them down. At the time of taking a queen 

 out of a nucleus, if a ceU were merely stapled on, the bees 

 would be pretty sure to destroy it ; for, not yet realizing that 

 their young laying queen has been taken from them, they feel no 

 need of anything like a queen-cell. So .he cage saves the time 

 and trouble of waiting and making a second visit another day. 



There is, however, another advantage in using the cage, 

 making it somewhat desirable to use it in all cases. We often 

 want to know what has been the fate of a cell, and can generally 



