204 Mailing Queens. 



holes as suggested above, we find this is obviated. With this 

 candy I have had queens on the road two weeks without the 

 loss of a single bee. 



PREPARATIONS TO SHIP. 



The tin on the back of the cage has one corner cut off a 

 little, so if we draw it back slightly we make a small opening. 

 We now hold the cage in the left hand with the thumb over 

 the hole, to keep the bees in, and with the right hand pick up the 

 queen and eight or ten worker bees — bright ones, neither very 

 young nor old — by grasping the wings with thumb and index 

 finger, and put them into the cage. Close the opening by 

 pushing in the tin slide, nail on the wooden screen (Fig. 85) 

 and our queen is ready to mail. In this work we can make 

 good use of the comb stand (Fig. 86). 



We should send queens by mall. They go as safely as by 

 express and it costs but a cent or two. No one should presume, 

 on any account, to send a queen hy mail, unless the queen-cage is 

 covered by this double screen and is provisioned as directed above,^ 

 instead oj udth honey. If shippers neglect these precautions, 

 so that the mails become daubed, or the mail agents stung, we 

 shall again lose the privilege of sending queens by mail. 

 An order excluding bees from the mails will in the future be 

 beyond recall, hence any carelessness that endangers this 

 privilege will be virtually criminal. 



TO MOVE COLONIES. 



Should we desire to purchase Italians or other colonies, the 

 only requisites to safe transport are : A wire-cloth cover for 

 ventilation, secure fastening of the frames so they cannot 

 possibly move, and combs so old that they shall not break 

 down and fall out. If the colony is very large, and the weath- 

 er very warm, there should be an opening in the bottom of 

 the hive covered with gauze, or the bees may smother. The 

 entrance ought to becoveredwith gauze. If combs are built from 

 wired foundation they will not break down even if new. Bees 

 thus shut up should never be left where the sun can shine on 

 them. In the cars the frames should extend lengthwise of 

 the cars. I would never advise moving bees in winter, though 

 it has often been done with entire safety. I should wish the 

 bees to have a flight very soon after such disturbance. 



