240 FORTY YEARS AMONG THE BEES. 



two little starters were put. It was for this purpose the 

 two starters at the sides were given rather than a central 

 one. For by this means the waving contour will give 

 opportunity for a larger number of queen-cells on the 

 edge of the comb than would otherwise be the case. 



TRIMMING THE BREEDING-COMB. 



For a little distance at the edge, the comb contains 

 eggs only. This part is trimmed away, leaving the 

 youngest of the brood at the edge of the comb (Fig. 89). 

 One reason for this is that, other things being equal, the 

 bees show a decided preference for building on the edge 

 of a comb. Another reason is that I decidedly prefer to 

 have cells on the edge, thus making them easier to cut 

 out when wanted. The part cut away would only be 

 in the way of both of us. 



BEES USING YOUNG LARVAE ONLY.- 



When a queen is taken away from a full colony, the 

 bees start cells from young brood, and as I have already 

 said, they continue to start fresh cells for several days, 

 and until after there is no longer brood of the proper 

 age, so that the last cells started will contain larvae too 

 old to make good queens. But on these combs prepared 

 as I have described, they do not do so. Rarely, if ever, 

 will a cell be found elsewhere than on the edge of the 

 comb, and I have never known the bees to start a cell 

 after the larvae were too old. I do not know why there 

 is this difference. I only know the fact. But it is a 

 very convenient fact. 



AGE OF LARVAE FOR QUEENS. 



Scientists tell us that a worker-larva is fed for three 

 days the same as a queen-larva, and then it is weaned. 



