MANUAL OF THE APIARY. 41 



Hence to Italianize a colony we have only to procure and introduce an Italian 

 queen. 



HOW TO INTRODUCE A QUEEN. 



In diyiding colonies, Avhere we give our queen to a colony composed wholly of 

 young bees, it is safe and easy to introduce a queen in manner as explained in 

 the section on artificial swarming. To introduce a queen to a colony composed 

 of old bees more care is required. First, we should seek out the old queen and 

 destroy her, then cage our Italian queen in a wire cage, which may be made by 

 winding a strip of wire cloth, three and one-half inches wide, and containing 

 iifteen to twenty meshes to the inch, about the finger. Let it lap each way one- 

 half inch, then cut it ofi. EaA^el out the half inch on each side, and weave in 

 the ends of the wires, forming a tube the size of the finger. We now have only 

 to put the queen in the tube, and pinch the ends together, and the queen is 

 caged. The cage may now be inserted between two adjacent combs con- 

 taining honey, each of which will touch it. The queen can thus sip honey as 

 she needs it. If we fear the queen may not be able to sip the honey through 

 the meshes of the wire, we may dip a piece of clean sponge in honey and insert 

 it in the upper end of the cage before we compress the end. This will furnish 

 the queen with the needed food. In 48 hours we again open the hive, after a 

 thorough smoking, also the cage, which is easily done by pressing the upper 

 end, at right angles to the direction of the pressure when we closed it. In doing 

 this do not remove the cage. Now keep watch and if as the bees enter the cage 

 or as the queen emerges the bees attack her, secure her immediately and recage 

 her for another 48 hours. I usually let some honey drip on the queen as soon 

 as the cage is opened. Some think this renders the bees more amiable. I have 

 introduced many queens in this manner, and never lost one, and never had to 

 recage but one. 



A young queen just emerging from a cell can almost always be safely given at 

 •once to the colony, after destroying the old queen. 



A qtieen cell is usually received with favor. If we adopt this course we must 

 be careful to destroy all other queen cells that may be formed ; and if the one 

 Tve supply is destroyed, wait seven days, then destroy all their queen cells, and 

 they are sure to accept a cell. But to save time I should always introduce a 

 •queen. 



If we are to introduce an imported queen, or one of very great value, we 

 might make a new colony, all of young bees, as already described. Smoke them 

 well, sprinkle with sweetened water, daub the queen with honey, and introduce 

 immediately. This method would involve really no risk. 



By having a colony thus Italianized in the fall, we may commence the next 

 spring, and, as described in the section explaining the formation of artificial 

 swarms, we may control our rearing of drones, queens, and all, and ere another 

 4iutumn have only the beautiful, pure, amiable, and active Italians. I have 

 done this several times, and with the most perfect satisfaction. I think by 

 making this change in blood we add $5 to the value of each colony, and I know 

 ■of no other way to make money so easy and pleasantly. 



WHAT STYLE OP HIVES SHALL WE USE? 



I feel free to say that no person who reads, thinks, and studies, — and success 

 in apiculture can be promised to no other,— will ever be content to use the old 

 Joox hives. In fact, thought and intelligence, which imply an eagerness to 



