328 THE ITALIAN OE LIGFEIAST BEE. 



cautions. A laying queen is received better than a virgin. 

 The colony to receive her should be prepared a few days 

 previously by removing its queen. 



irSBDfa BLACK QUEEN. 



She is most easily found in the middle of the day when 

 the workers are abroad. If you can take out the frames 

 without alarming the bees, your chances of success are 

 more certain. Protect the face, and proceed without smoke. 

 Pry loose the propolis fastenings, and raise off the top with 

 the utmost caution, without jarring or thumping the hive 

 sufficient to give alarm. Have an empty hive near, in 

 which to put the frames as you take them out. Examine 

 the centre combs, or those filled with brood first, when you 

 can conveniently. Look over each one carefiilly; if not 

 disturbed, the bees will be spread evenly over the surface, 

 and her majesty is easUy distinguished, when she can be 

 readily taken up with the fingers. But if an alarm is 

 raised, she is the most timid of any, and will get away in 

 the comers of the hive, or among a mass of bees, where it 

 will need close scrutiny to detect her.* In such case, you 

 can either return the whole, and try it again some other 

 time, or divide, putting one half the contents in the empty 

 hive, and if possible the largest share of bees. Separate 

 the combs in each', putting them only in the alternate 

 spaces. K several hives are used, they can be still farther 

 separated, which will be of some advantage. They be- 

 come quiet in a few minutes, and the queen will venture 

 out in sight. The bees on the comb with her will be 

 quiet, while the others will manifest considerable uneasi- 

 ness. This will direct your attention to the proper comb. 

 To return the combs to the hive, in the relative position 

 before occupied, number them before any are removed. 



There is still another method of finding the queen which 



* The Ilalians are seldom much alarmed, and Ihe queen is easier fonnd. 



