QUEEN-BREEDING AND NUCLEUS HIVES.
171
time the nucleus was formed, when we open it, and with a sharp thin-bladed pocket-knife, cut out all the Queen but one, and use them immediately in forming other nuclei, by attaching one of them to a frame of comb and Bees taken from an old stock as before
cells
empty
described, and placed in an
should remove but one at a
from which the royal
it
cell
was taken to is
adjusted
tirne, its
in
hive.
place in the hive, until
its
new
location.
practicable, leave about an inch square of
to the
The beginner
returning the frame
comb
When attached
and upon taking the comb or brood from the make an opening among the eggs and larvae,
cell,
old stock
where the Bees will be sure to cluster upon it, and keep it warm. If the first nucleus was formed from the only Italian stock in the yard, and more Queen-cells are wanted, remove every Queen-cell from it, and add another comb of eggs, and brood from its parent stock. But when no more Queen-cells are needed, leave one to hatch, and as by this time the brood will all be capped over, the Bees will be liable to follow the young Queen on her excursion to meet the Drones. To prevent this, exchange one of the combs for one containing eggs and
young larvae, when forming the other nuclei. Young Queens will return, unless lost, destroyed by birds or other casualties, to which all Queens are once exposed. Such loss is easily ascertained among so few Bees, and
we have only to insert another Queen-cell, adding a comb containing eggs and brood, and repeat the trial."
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