QXTEBN-EEABING 113 



At the end of the time specified go to the hive of the 

 best Italian queen and cut out a strip of worker comb 

 containing eggs. The strip should be cut in the way 

 illustrated in Fig. 53. With a tooth-pick or match 

 destroy every alternate egg. It is better to destroy 

 the eggs in three consecutive cells as this leaves a 

 greater space between when finished. The piece of comb 

 should now be fastened to the underside of the middle- 

 bar of the frame, with the eggs facing downwards; it 

 is then given to the expectant colony. Eemove cells when 

 sealed, and return to the colony its supers and brood- 

 combs. 



THE DOOLITTLE SYSTEM. 



Get a small piece of pine about the size of a rake 

 tooth, and with sand-paper shape it to fit an embryonic 

 queen-cell. A small flat tin of hot wax should be at 

 hand in which to dip the pieces of previously wetted 

 pine. Doolittle recommends dipping the sticks to a 

 depth of nine-sixteenths of an inch the first time, and 

 each successive dip a little shallower. This makes the 

 edges of the cups very thin and the bases very thick, 

 which is similar to a naturally built cell. The wax should 

 not be too hot, just above melting point; three or four 

 dippings will be all that is required. After the final 

 dip plunge the sticks into cold water. The little cups 

 may then be taken off by gently pressing with the thumb 

 and forefinger. 



When a sufficient number are moulded they should 

 be fastened with hot wax to the underside of the middle- 

 bar (See bottom frame Fig. 54). It is a good plan to 

 stand the cell-cups in the super of a strong colony over- 

 night to prime and warm them. Next day procure a 

 queen-cell almost ready to seal, lift out the grub, and 

 stir the royal jelly to make it even in quality. (It will 

 be found that the fresh thin jelly is much preferred to 

 the thick stuff). An amount equal to the size of a pin- 

 head should be placed in each cup, which is then grafted 

 with Italian larvae in the way already described. 



