CONTROLLED INCREASE 
255 
operator must also tenderly handle, as a pinch, espe- 
cially near the end, is likely to fatally injure the soft- 
bodied grub. Indeed, it is undesirable, even with the 
most careful manipulation, to transfer queen-cells until 
near the time of their hatching, which may be known 
by the bees thinning down and roughening the cell 
at the end (page 154). This ripe condition is some- 
times, though rarely, reached by the tenth day after 
artificial swarming ; * but frequently we may have to 
wait to the thirteenth or fourteenth, watching carefully, 
or the objects of our solicitude may be destroyed 
through the most advanced princess escaping from* a 
cell, overlooked at the time we were searching for 
such as were ready for removal. 
Plans only possible with frame hives now demand 
attention. Let us suppose we have sold a swarm, and 
intend sending it packed in a skep. We may commence 
by quietly removing the frame hive some few yards 
from its stand, reversing the position of its mouth 
to prevent its being recognised by its proper in- 
habitants ; but since, with strong colonies, even the 
expert is sometimes baffled in finding the queen, 
it is prudent to secure her ladyship as the first move. 
Taking a dome cage (see “Queen Introduction”), 
and a card, we lift the quilt, using no more smoke 
than is absolutely necessary; for disturbance sets the 
queen on the run, drives her from the brood-nest, 
and decreases our chance of seeing her quickly. 
Having pushed the division-board on one side, so 
that our frames may be moved laterally, we first run 
* Queens so rapidly produced are of inferior quality (see “Queen 
Raising”). 
