248 FIFTY YEARS AMONG THE BEES 



moved, and it would mean the ruiii of the cells to shake the 

 bees off. Brushing with a Coggshall brush, although it might 

 do with extreme care, would be likely to result in torn cells. 

 Even something no stiffer than goldenrod or sweet clover needs 

 much care. I like best a bunch of long and soft June grass — a 

 very flimsy affair to use as a brusli, but it is safe. 



Fig. SS — Coml) for Queen-Cells 



ADVANTAGE OF CAGING CELLS. 



Of eom-se the object of caging the cells is to prevent the 

 bees from tearing tliem down. At the time of taking a queen 

 out of a nucleus, if a cell were merely stapled on, the bees 

 would be pretty sure to destroy it; for, not yet realizing that 

 their young laying queen has been taken from them, they feel 

 no need of anything like a queen-cell. So the cage saves the 

 time and trouble of waiting and making a second visit an- 

 other day. 



There is, however, another advantage in using the cage, 

 making it somewhat desirable to use it in all eases. We often 

 want to know what has been the fate of a cell, and can gener- 

 ally tell pretty well by its appearance. If it has the appear- 

 ance of most of those in Fig. 94, we know that a young queen 



