222 AUSTRALASIAN 



hole in each cage (see Pig. 104) should be l|in. diameter, and 

 after boring these, turn the batten on its edge and bore one 

 i^in. and one fin. hole to communicate with each of the larger 

 ones. Cut the battens into the lengths marked for each cage 

 and tack fine wire cloth over both ends of the central boles. 

 Next nail two end bars a' full fin. thick in a Langstroth frame, 

 dividing it lengthwise into three equal compartments, and the 

 nursery is ready. If the cages have been accurately made six 

 cages will fit nicely in each compartment. 



The queen cell is put into the larger hole on the edge, and 

 food in the smaller one, The cell may be fastened by pressing 

 the wax at the base of it against the edge' of the hole or by 

 running a pin through the wood and base of cell. The food 

 should consist of honey, which can be given on a piece of 

 sponge. Place the cages in the frame with the holes in the 

 edges toward the top bar, and hang it in the centre of a strong 

 colony — I usually put them in the upper part of a two story 

 hive. The queens as they emerge are protected, have 

 sufficient food to last them for a short time, and are safe till 

 they can be made use of. If they are to be kept in for a day or 

 two more food must be supplied. 



INTRODUCING QUEENS. 



Next to rearing queens we must know how to introduce 

 them safely into strange colonies. The ordinary conditions to 

 ensure safety are, — that the colony must first be made queen- 

 less, that is, the old queen must be removed. In the next 

 place the new one, when first placed in the hive, should be 

 protected in such a way that while the bees can see her and 

 even feel her with their antennae they are prevented from 

 stinging her, as some would be apt to do before they become 

 used to her. And lastly, the colony should be fed if there is 

 no honey being gathered while the queen is being introduced. 

 There are exceptions to the second clause. In the busy season, 

 when honey is coming in rapidly, if the queens can be changed 

 without much disturbance of the hive, the new one is likely to 

 be accepted just as readily if she is turned loose on the frames, 

 as she would be were she protected for a day or two. I have 

 often introduced them in this manner with success. On the 

 other hand, I have had great difficulty with some colonies 



