262 QUEEN REARING. 



a stronger colony, together with another comb, of eggs and 

 larvae, from the best colony in the Apiary ; and the number 

 of its combs should be reduced to suit the size of the clus- 

 ter. 



A better way yet to supply the loss, is to give the colony 

 a queen-cell (104) or a young queen raised in the manner 

 to be now described. 



Rearing Improved Races. 



611. We will see (650) that some races of bees are su- 

 perior to others. Even in the same Apiary, some colonies 

 are better than others, in proliflcness, honey-gathering, en- 

 durance, gentleness, etc. It is very important to improve 

 the Apiary by rearing queens from the best breeds, for the 

 increase of colonies, as well as to replace the inferior ones. 



To this end, the bee-keeper should select two or more of 

 the best colonies in his Apiary, one for the production of 

 drones, the others for the production of queens. Italian 

 (651) bees are universally preferred ; and as they are now 

 almost as easily found as common bees, and are very cheap, 

 we advise the novice to begin with at least two queens of 

 this race. 



A slight mixture of Cyprian or Syrian (669) blood is 

 good, provided the issue be gentle and peaceable. Hybrids 

 of common bees and Italians are generally inferior, both in 

 quality and disposition. 



512. In selecting a colony for drone production, the 

 color and size of the drones should not be considered so 

 much, as the prohficness of its queen, and the qualities of 

 its workers, unless you wish to breed for beauty, in prefer- 

 ence to honey-production. 



Place two drone-combs (224) in the center of the brood- 

 chamber of this colony, as soon as it has recuperated from 



