200 LOSS OF QUEENS. 



no eggs or larv£E exist, and no means left to repair the 

 loss. A loss it is, and a serious one ; the bees are in as 

 much trouble as their owner, and quite likely, more, as 

 they seem to understand the consequences, and he is per- 

 haps ignorant ; should he now for the first time learn the 

 nature of it, he will at the same time understand the remedy. 



IXDICATIOXS OF LOSS. 



The next morning after a loss of this kind has occurred, 

 and occasionally at evening, the bees may be seen running 

 to and fro in the greatest consternation on the outside. 

 Some will fly off a short distance, and return ; one wiU run 

 to another, and then to another, still in hopes, no doubt, 

 of finding their lost queen. A hive, close by on the same 

 bench will probably receive a portion, and will seldom re- 

 sist an accession under such circumstances. All this will 

 be going on while other hives are quiet. Towards the 

 middle of the day, the confusion will be less marked ; but 

 the next morning it wiU be exhibited again, though not so 

 plainly, and will cease after the third, when they be- 

 come apparently reconciled to their fate. They will con- 

 tinue their labors as usual, bringing in pollen and honey. 

 Here I am obliged to difier with writers, who tell us that 

 all labor will now cease. I hope the reader will not be de- 

 ceived by supposing that the collection of pollen is an in- 

 fallible indication of the presence of a queen. I can as- 

 sure him it is not always the case. 



The number of bees will gradually decrease, and they 

 will be gone by the early part of winter, leaving a good 

 supply of honey, and an extra quantity of bee-bread, as 

 before mentioned, because there has been no brood to con- 

 sume it. This is the case where a large family is left at 

 the time of the loss. When but few bees are left, it is 



