LOSS OF QUEENS. 1 99 



hives too closely together. The hives are very often nearly 

 alike in color and appearance, and the queen coming out 

 for the first time in her life, is doubtless confused by this 

 similarity. 



The average number of such losses in a season, varies : 

 One year, the average was one in nine, another, one in thir- 

 teen, and another, one in twenty. The time after the issuing 

 of the first swarm varies from ten to twenty days. The 

 inexperienced reader should not forget that these accidents 

 happen in the old stocks which have cast swarms, the old 

 queen having left with the first. Also, all after-swarms 

 are liable to the same loss. 



I would suggest that these have abundant room given 

 between the hives ; if it be necessary to pack any closely, 

 let it be the first swarms, where, the queen, being old, has 

 no occasion to leave. Having never seen this matter fully 

 discussed, I wish to be somewhat particular, and think I 

 shall be able to direct the careful apiarian how to save a 

 few stocks and swarms annually. Several years ago I 

 wrote an article on this subject, for an agricultural paper. 

 A subscriber told me a year afterwards, that he saved two 

 stocks the next summer by the information ; they were 

 worth, at least five dollars each, enough to pay for his pa- 

 per for years to come. 



TIMB OF LEAVDfG VABIES. 



When a Stock casts but one swarm, the queen, having 

 destroyed all competitors who would interfere with her 

 movements, wUl leave in about fourteen days, if the 

 weaj;her is fair ; but should an after-swarm leave, the oldest 

 of the young queens will probably go with that. Of 

 course, then, it must be later before the queen remaining 

 in the old hive is ready ; it may be twenty days, or even 

 more. The queens with after-swarms will leave from one 

 to six days after being hived. It always will occur when 



