and its Economic Management. 189 



spot to another as far distant as possible, and so let the first 

 quiet down before a neighbouring hive is opened. 



It is well not to examine the interior of the hives for two ' 

 or three days, that the bees may have first noted their location ;, 

 but it will then be necessary to determine if any queens have 

 been lost, which frequently is the case. Where any are gone 

 it will be desirable to unite to others at once if this happens 

 to be the first stock of the apiarist ; but when other colonies 

 are on hand one may be able to insert another rather than 

 unite. 



Packing Queens. 



An admixture of honey and sugar, first mentioned in Rev, 

 L. L. Langstroth's book as a substitute for honey in winterings 

 was afterwards used by Mr. I. R. Good, another American, in 

 queen cages when transmitted by the post. However, -per- 

 fection had yet to come ; the food was right, the candy was 

 " good," but until the introduction of F. Benton's mailing 

 cage, general success was not attained. Queens may now be 

 sent by post just as safely as an ordinary letter, and Benton's 

 cage has rendered the system absolutely perfect, though until 

 recently through some short-sightedness, or prejudice on the 

 part of the postal authorities, many foreign queens have been 

 returned to the senders. 



The Benton Cage 



consists of three compartments ; one is ventilated for general 

 accommodation, and particularly for advantage to the bees 

 under high temperatures ; from this a small passage com- 

 municates with the central compartment, otherwise having no 

 ventilation. The last has another small opening leading into, 

 the third space wherein is 



The Food. 



which is made -by thoroughly incorporating with finely pow- 

 dered loaf sugar just sufficient liquid honey to form a thick 



