260 QUEEN REARING. 
We once removed the queen of a small colony, the bees 
of which took wing and filled the air, in search -of her. 
Although she was returned in a few minutes, royal-cells 
were found two days later. The queen was unhurt, and 
the cells untenanted. Was this work begun by some that 
did not believe the others, when assured that she was safe? 
or from the apprehension that she might be removed again? 
507. As soon as the bees begin to fly briskly in the 
Spring, a colony which does not industriously gather pollen, 
*or accept of flour (267), is almost certain to have no 
queen, or one that is not fertile—unless it is on the eve of 
perishing from starvation. 
A colony is sure to be queenless, if, after taking its 
first Spring-flight, the bees, by roaming, in an enquiring 
manner in and out of the hive show that some great calamity 
has befallen them. Those that come from the fields, instead 
of entering the hive with that dispatchful haste so character- 
istic of a bee returning, well loaded, to a prosperous home, 
usually linger about the entrance with an idle and dissat- 
isfied appearance, and the colony is restless, late in the day, 
when others are quiet. Their home, like that of a man 
who is cursed in his domestic relations, is a melancholy 
place, and they enter it only with reluctant and slow-mov- 
ing steps. 
508. And here, if permitted to address a word of friendly 
advice, we would say to every wife—Do all that you can to 
make your husband’s home a place of attraction. When 
absent from it, let his heart glow at the thought of return- 
ing to its dear enjoyments; as he approaches it, let his 
countenance involuntarily assume a more cheerful expres- 
«Mr. Randolph Peters, of Philadelphia, had a colony which he was satis- 
fied was queepless, as the bees did not carry in pollen for 28days. I putaqueen 
into the hive, he holding a watch in his hand, andin 3% minutes from the time 
she was introduced, a bee was seen to enter with pollen on her legs! We both 
observed the entrance for some time, and saw many bees carry in pollen.’’— 
P. J. Mauan. 
