324 



THE ITALIAN OR LIGUlilAJf BEE, 



chance to separate the cells should there be several. On 

 a square piece they overlap each other, so that one cannot 

 be cut out without spoiling most of the others. If you 

 want to make the most of the cells you have, get ready 

 anpther box with combs and bees, cut out a piece in the 



FijJ. 35. — NO. 34 IS3EP.TED IN A COMB READY FOB THE HEAKING BOX. 



centre of the comb, and having carefully cut out a queen- 

 cell, put it in this space, without bruising or rudely shak- 

 ing it. The bees accept this instead of brood, and they 

 will have a queen ten days sooner by the operation. 



In about one-third of the cases, the bees will destroy 

 such cell ; the operation must then be repeated. It would 

 insure safety in all cases, if the cell, with three or four 

 bees from the rearing box, and a small quantity of honey 

 in a cup of tin-foil or some convenient material, could be 



