QUEEN-BREEDING AND NUCLEUS HIVES. 167 



reasons : Firstly. A smaller number of Bees will be 

 required to keep up the needed temperature for maturing 

 the Queen at the least 70 degrees in the smaller than 

 the larger hives. They will all be collected on the two 

 combs, and by placing the Queen cell somewhat between, 

 they will be compelled nolens volens to nurse it. Secondly. 

 Only half the number of dividing frames will be required 

 in the Apiary that the larger hive would demand. 

 Thirdly. Less combs will be employed ; and this, with 

 Bee-keepers who have not many stocks, or who have been 

 fortunate enough to lose none during the winter, is a 

 matter of considerable consequence. Fourthly. Nuclei 

 always dwindle, and only half as many young Bees will 

 be required to strengthen the smaller nucleus hive as the 

 larger would need." 



These twin frames, when shut together, form one 

 Woodbury frame, and if, when intending Queen-breed- 

 ing, two or three of these complete twin frames are 

 inserted into the middle of the hive from which it is 

 desired to breed Queens, the reigning monarch will 

 speedily stock them with eggs ; and if she be then re- 

 moved, her subjects will, after a few hours' delay, convert 

 from four to twelve (or more) of the young larvae into 

 Queens. Should only a small number of young Queens 

 be desired, and the Queen-cells are sufficiently distributed 

 amongst the twin frames, when they are sealed the frame 

 may be divided, and every such divided frame containing 

 the desired cell removed to a nucleus hive with the cell 

 facing inwards, and another frame of brood placed 

 alongside it. It may happen that some of the small 

 frames have on their combs several Queen-cells ; if left 

 there, all but one will be sacrificed, but they may be 

 utilized by cutting them out, and inserting them in other 

 frames not fortunate enough to have Queen-cells of their 



