CHANGING OLD QUEENS FOR YOUNG ONES, 85 
was very rapid. In about two months not a native or 
black bee could be found about the hive—all were 
Italians. The natives had gradually decreased, until all 
had disappeared, showing conclusively that they had 
died in the same ratio that they would have passed away 
from a stock naturally. During the winter season, as 
the bee is in a dormant state for the greater part of the 
time, they are given a longer lease of life. 
When it is discovered that a stock has a barren queen 
or has lost its queen, or from any cause she has ceased 
to be prolific (and in consequence the bees are dwindling 
away,) take means immediately to substitute a prolific 
and healthy queen in her place, and at the same time 
re-enforce the stock, by taking one or more frames filled 
with hatching brood from a populous stock, and exchang- 
ing for those destitute of brood. In this manner the bees 
will be increased so as to insure safety for a few days, 
after which the stock, having been furnished with a pro- 
lific, healthy queen, will regain their former prosperity 
and vigor. 
The queen being the mother of the entire swarm, and 
consequently all increase being dependent on her, every 
intelligent bee-keeper will readily understand that in 
order to succeed he must be sure that each stock has a 
prolific queen. 
