Da, AUSTRALASIAN 
hole in each cage (see Fig. 104) should be lin. diameter, and 
after boring these, turn the batten on its edge and bore one 
11in. and one 2in. 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 holes. 
Next nail two end bars a full 2in. 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 antenne 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 
