AETIFIOUL SWAEM3. 259 



four hours ; and then is not alwa)'s safe. After it has 

 had time to hatch, (which is about eight days after 

 being sealed), cut it out, and examine it: if the lower 

 end is open, it indicates that a perfect queen has left 

 it, and all is safe ; but if it is mutilated or open at the 

 ^de, it is probable that the queen was destroyed be-, 

 fore maturity,, in which ease, another cell will have to 

 be given them. 



ARTIFICIAL SWARMS ONLY SAFE NEAR THE SWARMINS SEASON. 



By what I have said about artificial swarms, it 

 V^ould appear that it is unsafe at any time but the 

 swarming season ; that is my opinion. It may do a 

 little in advance or a little after, providing royal cells 

 can be had. By feeding as directed, (in Chapter IX,.) 

 you may induce a stock to send out a swarm , some 

 days in advance of the regular season, thereby giving 

 you a chance for these cells somewhat early. 



SOMETIMES HAZARDOUS. ' 



* To make such swarms at any time when the bees 

 are destroying drones, would be extremelyhazardous, 

 not only on account of the young queen being im- 

 pregnated, but their , massacre denotes a scarcity of 

 honey. Therefore I would advise never to make 

 swarmSj or drive out bees at such periods, when it can 

 be avoided, without spare honey is on hand to feed 

 them. 



SOME OBJECTIONS. 



It has been argued. J^y some, and with much reason, 

 that "nature is the best .guide, and it. is better to let 



