QUEENS. 141 
bees for a nucleus. Return these last combs to their own 
hive, supply the place of the one removed with a frame of 
foundation or comb, and return the queen. This method 
will be advisable where but one or more stocks are kept. 
In this case it would not be necessary to prepare a swarm 
from which to take cells. The nucleus swarm may be 
allowed to construct cells, the best of which may be se- 
lected. Proceed as above, with other good hives, until 
the desired number is obtained. The second day after 
these are formed, the cells in the hive in waiting will be 
ten days old, and the most advanced be liable to hatch. 
If only eggs had been furnished, from which these queens 
were to be reared, they would not mature under sixteen 
days from the time the egg was laid. On the evening 
previous, or on the morning of the tenth day at the latest, 
remove the cells with a very sharp small-bladed knife, and 
place them in a box for the purpose, always handling 
them with extreme care (see fig. 662). If any one of 
these queens is allowed to hatch before they are cared for, 
she will be likely to destroy all the 
rest. This she accomplishes by 
biting into the side of the cell and 
stinging her helpless rival (see fig. 
66d). The box should contain a 
portion of cotton or wool, to make 
it soft (fig. 61). If a laying queen 
is at hand, she may be introduced to this stock. Now, 
distribute the queen-cells among the nuclei, being sure 
to place them near the cluster of bees, where they will 
be protected. 
I sometimes add-another empty comb to the nucleus, 
and merely place the queen-cell between the two, where 
it will occupy a natural position. At other times I simply 
make a hole through the comb, large enough to receive 
the cell, with the lower end slanting downward. I have 
sometimes introduced the cells to the nuclei as soon as the 
Fig. 61.—QUEEN-CELL BOX. 
