250 SUMMEE. 



three weeks earlier, than when they are compelled to 

 commence with the egg. I have put such piece of 

 brood-comb in a small glass box on the top of the 

 hive instead of the bottom, because it was less trouble, 

 but in this case the eggs were all removed in a short 

 time ; whether a queen was reared in the hive or not I 

 cannot say ; but this I know, I never obtained a pro- 

 lific queen, after repeated experiments in this way. . 



It would appear that I have been more unfortunate 

 with queens reared in this way, than most experiment- 

 ers. I have no difficulty to get them formed to all 

 appearance perfect, but lose them afterwards. Now 

 whether this arose from some lack of physical develop- ; 

 ment, by taking grubs too far advanced to maketa 

 perfect change, or whether they were reared so late in 

 the season, that most of the drones were destroyed^ 

 and the queen to meet one had to repeat her excur- 

 sions till lost, I am yet unable to fully determine. To 

 test the first of these questions, I have a few? times 

 removed all the larvae from the comb ; leaving noth- 

 ing but eggs, that all the food given them might be 

 "royal pap," from the commencement, and had no 

 better success so far. Yet occasionally prolific 

 queens have been reared when I could account for 

 their origin in no other way but from worker eggs. 

 But you will find they are not to be depended upon 

 generally. 



Sometimes, after all our endeavors, a stock or two 

 will remain destitute of a queen. These, if they escape 

 the worms, will generally store honey enough in this 



