THE REABING OF QUEEN BEES. 
19 
the ends of cells. This method is \ r ery simple, since it does away with 
the necessity for transferring, and gives good results; but the cells 
must be cut apart to be put in nurseries, and in this manipulation they 
lack the firmness of cells with wooden bases. It has also been recom- 
mended that drone comb be used in the same way. and that a larva be 
transferred into every other cell. This plan, however, does not 
possess the one really good feature of the Alley method, and has there- 
fore nothing to commend it. 
THE USE OF "COCOONS." 
Another plan, used by several queen breeder.-, is that of transferring 
the larva in the "cocoon" to an artificial cell cup. The comb is cut 
down until quite thin (about three-sixteenths inch), and then bent 
back and forth until the lining of larval skins and the excreta, gener- 
Fig. 8.— Frame with a strip of foundation only partly drawn out. with larvae in cells, cut according 
to Alley plan of cell starting (original . 
ally called the "cocoon" by bee keepers, is loosened. This is trans- 
ferred by forceps, or on the end of a rounded stick with a depression 
in the end. This plan does not require the use of royal jelly; but it 
takes considerable practice to make the transfer successfully and seems 
to be no better than the method of transferring larvae alone 
COMPLETING QUEEN CELLS. 
INCUBATORS. 
The carrying up of queen cells to the time when the adult virgin 
queen emerges is much easier than the starting of the cells. Cells 
once -tailed may be hung in a queen less colony without any covering 
or protection, and it is an easy matter to have a large number cared 
for. In the practical work i)\' the Department apiary it is customary 
