LOSS OF QUEENS. 247 



fche queen will leave. If tlie first swarm issue and re- 

 turn, it can make no difference; reckon from their 

 first issuing. 



REMEDY. 



When you discover a loss, first ascertain if there is 

 any after swarm to be expected from another stock, 

 (by listening for the piping)' ; if soj wait till it issues, 

 and obtain a queen from that for your stock ; even if 

 there is but one, take it, and let the bees return ; they 

 would be likely to come out again the next day ;' if 

 not, it is very often no great loss. 



Should no such swarm be indicated, go to a stock 

 that has cast a first swarm within a week ; smoke it 

 and turn it over, as before directed, find a royal cell, 

 and with a broad knife cut it out, being careful not to 

 injure it. This must now be secured in the other hive 

 in its natural position, the lower end free from any 

 obstacle, that would interfere with the queen leaving 

 it. It will make but little difference whether at the 

 top or bottom, providing it is secure from falling. ' 



I generally -introduce it through a hole in the top, 

 taking care to find one that will allow the cell to pass 

 down between two combs. It being largest at the 

 upper end, the combs each side will sustain it, and 

 leave the lower end free. In a few hours the bees 

 will secure it permanently to the 'combs with wax. 

 This operation cannot be performed in a chamber 

 hive,, as it is. impossible to see the arrangement of the 

 Gombs through the holes. ' To put it in at the bottorii 

 is some more trouble; the difficulty is, to fasten it, 



