QUEEN-MATING 121 



nuclei. Tlie lid is then replaced and the entrance securely 

 closed with the perforated metal until darkness sets in, 

 when the entrance is again opened. 



The queen when out of the cell will behave in this 

 miniature hive precisely the same as when hatched in a 

 stronger colony. In due time she will be mated and eggs 

 laid as usual. The apiarist, however, must be careful 

 to remove her soon after she begins to lay, otherwise she 

 will quickly fill the small comb space and lead off a 

 lilliputian swarm. By using baby nuclei in this manner 

 only a very small number of bees are taken from the 

 daily work of honey gathering, and queens are mated with 

 a minimum of expense. It is unwise to make use of baby 

 nuclei in variable or inclement weather, as they are 

 suitable only for the summer months. 



UPPEE STOREYS FOR QUEEN MATING. 



Some bee-keepers do not care to have separate nuclei 

 for queen mating, preferring the upper storey or super. 

 In full depth bodies, there are divisions to hold two or 

 three frames. Prepared thus, they are set over a wire 

 gauze screen covering a strong brood-nest. Entrances 

 are made on each side, and the centre compartment has 

 an outlet at the back. This is an excellent plan for 

 inclement weather, but it has the defect of having too 

 many virgins flying from the same hive. This means 

 loss of queens under certain circumstances. 



Apiarists with Bolton hives can very easily adopt this 

 plan, or use a single body on a separate stand as a nucleus- 

 box. This has one great advantage; it does away with 

 odd-sized hives, and uniformity of working plant is well 

 worthy of more attention than it usually receives. A 

 bee-farmer ought not to have to use odd-sized supers and 

 frames during a rush of honey, before being able to 

 appreciate uniformity of pattern. 



QUEEN INTRODUCTION. 

 With the queens reared, and laying, a word or two 

 here on the introduction cage may not be out of place. 



