beb-keeper's manual. 29 



which are about the size of a peanut, and look, in shape 

 and outward appearance, very much like this nut, with 

 one end cut ^fF, and the nut extracted. The bases of 

 these cells, however, are broader than a peanut ; and the 

 shape is somewhat like a sugar loaf, placed upon its small 

 end. Royal cells are also constructed in the centres of 

 combs, on the edges of passages through them. They 

 who have been in the habit of cutting out combs, have 

 undoubtedly perceived small orifices, about the size of a 

 half dollar, through which the bees pass from one comb 

 to another, and on the edges of these apertures, royal 

 cells are as frequently built, as on the edges of the combs. 

 Why such a large, cumbrous cell is necessary for the 

 raising of queens, that are of less size than a drone, is 

 very singular ! There is more material put into one of 

 these royal tenements, than would be required to build a 

 dozen drone cells ; and then, they must hang downward I 

 Here is one of the mysteries pertaining to bees, that 

 man can never unfold. A drone cell, lengthened a little, 

 would be just the thing for these young queens ; yet 

 these stubborn bees will not be taught improvement ; 

 they seem so attached to the customs of their fore- 

 fathers. 



HOW YOUNG aUEENS ARE PRODUCED THE NUMBER OF 



ROYAL CELLS IN A HIVE, ETC. 



When the young queens are wanted, several of these 

 sells are constructed ; say from five to twenty-five ; and 

 the queen deposits worker eggs therein at intervals, so 

 as to mature, at about the period that they will be wanted 



