BREEDING BETTER BEES 121 



use smoke to control the bees. While under 

 general apiary conditions it is seldom desirable 

 to undertake operations without a lighted 

 smoker at hand, there are often individual col- 

 onies which will not resent the manipulation of 

 the frames even though no smoke is used. The 

 selections of the queens at the head of such 

 colonies for use as breeders, generation after 

 generation, Avill hasten the time when stings 

 will seldom interfere with the work of the 

 beekeeper. 



Following production and gentleness the 

 non-swarming tendency is greatly to be desired. 

 While there is much difference in the strains in 

 this respect, it is to a much greater extent under 

 the control of the beekeeper than the other 

 factors named. If the bees swarm and the 

 working force is divided at the beginning of the 

 harvest, the crop is likely to be reduced as a 

 result, unless the flow lasts for a long period. 

 In most localities where honey production is 



