and its Economic Management. 



193 



The old straw skep is 

 still clung to by many ; but 

 considering that frame hives 

 can be bought at little 

 more expense in the first 

 place, and at much less 

 outlay in the long run, it is 

 but false economy to con- 

 tinue to use the former. 

 Those who think that the 

 straw is better have no ex- 

 cuse as Messrs. Neighbour, 

 of Regent Street, offer a 

 very excellent frame hive 

 of wood and straw com- 

 bined at a very reasonable 

 rate. 



To be of any value, experiments must be tested and proven 

 by actual dissection of the spermatheca after artificial fertilization. 

 A queen may appear to be prolific in the first instance, but if the 

 spermatheca is not filled with spermatozoa, such queen is of no 

 value in the market, as her term of usefulness will be of short 

 duration. In this connection I have been greatly assisted by my 

 esteemed friend, Mr. F. R. Cheshire, to whom I have submitted 

 most of the queens I have operated upon. A decisive answer 

 was at once the result ; and if artificial fertilization is ever to 

 become generally practicable, it will certainly not be till after 

 eminent scientists have been able by dissection to give confidence 

 to the public mind. With the naked eye one can readily tell if 

 the spermatheca is occupied only by clear fluid, or the yellowish 

 and much thicker matter received fi-om the drone ; but to decide 

 whether entirely, or only partially, filled with spermatozoa more 

 experience is needed, and the microscope cannot be dispensed 

 with. 



