144 ^ Modern Bee-Farm 



necessary to unite to others at once if this happens to be the first 

 stock of the apiarist ; but when other colonies are on hand one 

 may be able to insert another rather than unite. 



Packing Queens. 



An admixture of honey and sugar first mentioned in Rev. L. L, 

 Langstroth's book as a substitute for honey in wintering, was after- 

 wards used by Mr. I. R. Good, another American, in queen 

 cages when transmitted by the post. However, perfection had yet 

 to come ; the food was right, the candy was " good," but until the 

 introduction of F. Benton's mailing cage, general success was not 

 attained. Queens may now be sent by post just as safely as an 

 ordinary letter, and Benton's cage has rendered the system 

 absolutely perfect, though as yet through some short-sightedness, 

 or prejudice on the part of the postal authorities, many foreign 

 queens have been returned to the senders. Mr. Benton then over- 

 came that difficulty by registering the packages, but now again 

 someone at the General Post Office, more officious than wise, has 

 seen fit to send back registered packages forwarded to myself. 

 They now therefore are sent over by Parcel Post ; but by what 

 process of reasoning they are allowed to pass in that manner, 

 and not by letter post it is difficult to understand. 



The Benton Cage 



consists of three compartments; one is 



ventilated for general accommodation, and 



particularly for advantage to the bees under 



high temperatures ; from this a small passage 



communicates with the central compartment, 



otherwise having no ventilation. The last 



has another small opening leading into the Improved Benton 



third space wherein is 



The Food, 



which is made by thoroughly incorporating with finely powdered 

 loaf sugar just sufficient liquid honey to form a thick paste ; this 



