ALLEY-'S METHOD. 



277 



fig. 108 which represents the comb ready to place in position 

 for cell building. While engaged in this work, keep a lighted 

 lamp near at hand, with which to heat the knife, or the cells 

 will be badly jammed 



The strips of comb being ready, we simply destroy each alter- 

 nate larva or egg, (fig. 107). In order to do this, take the 

 strips carefully in the left hand, and insert the end of a com- 

 mon lucifer match into each alternate cell, pressing it gently 

 on the bottom of the cell, and then twirling it rapidly between 

 the thumb and fingers. This gives plenty of room for large 

 cells to be built without interfering with those adjoining, and 

 permits of their being separated without injury to neighboring 

 cells. "—" Bee-keepers ' Handy Book," 1885. 



mm 



Fig. 108. (From Alley.) 



This strip, Mr. Alley fastens under a trimmed comb cut 

 slightly convex, by dipping the cells, which have been left 

 full length, into a mixture of two parts rosin and one of 

 beeswax, taking care not to over-heat this mixture, as the 

 heat might destroy the eggs (fig. 109). The comb thus pre- 

 pared is given to a prepared colony, which has been queen- 

 less and without brood for ten hours, Mr. Alley having noticed 

 that the eggs may be destroyed if given to a colony just made 

 queenless. 



539. As it happens very often, that more queen-cells are 

 raised than are needed immediately, and as the bees usually 

 destroy all after the first one has hatched. Apiarists have 

 devised queen-nurseries to preserve the supernumerary cells 

 until needed. It is not safe to leave the queen-cells under 

 the control of the bees after ten days, as a queen may hatch 

 at any time. 



The Alley queen-nursery is composed of a number of small 



