338 
BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 
stands a partition [p, p), with a central opening | 
to give the bees passage-way. Upon the partition, after 
about two dozen attendants have been passed through j 
the before-mentioned opening, the cage (c) carry- j 
ing the queen is placed ; the wire is added, and the | 
cover [^co) fixed down. \^entilating holes {y, v) are pro- j 
vided, opening into a depression (an idea borrowed ' 
from Mr. Benton), so that they cannot be closed by 
lying in contact with letters in the post. The inner 
chamber is cosy and warm in chilly weather, but if the 
bees feel it to be stuffy, they can pass into the cooler, 
more open quarters of the cage itself. This cage, ; 
which I believe would practically never fail, would i 
delay overmuch the exit of the queen, if very tough , 
combs Avere used. The result may be quickened by ; 
cutting diagonally, with a thin and narrow knife, \ 
through the cell walls at one spot beneath the edge | 
of the queen’s quarters ; or delayed entrance to the 
bees may be given by cutting as small a circle as 
possible through the midrib, operating from the oppo- 
site side of the comb to that upon which the cage is 
fixed, the partly-separated portion remaining at first i 
as a plug: the bees, gnawing away at the damage, 
liberate the prisoner. This plan is followed with the :: 
‘‘ Betsinger Cage,” and acts perfectly, although it J 
permanently somewhat damages the comb. h 
The cage has still its ardent advocates, and it is 
not likely to be soon abandoned, although its greatest 1 
defect is inherent: it is, that it is a cage — a strange «; 
and un\velcome excrescence, which, in itself, excites i| 
the antagonism of the bees (for they hate any intru. || 
sion into their brood-nest), and attracts their attention J 
