Inaugurating a Queen Bee

The incidents attending the inauguration of a Queen among bees, are less ceremonious, perhaps, than a similar transaction among men, yet to the observing naturalist they are full of interest. An account of one of these events, happening the present season, was described in a private letter, recently received by Samuel B. Parsons, and it interested us so much, that we solicited the privilege of making the extract below. Mr. J. H. Pierce of Montgomery County', Ohio, received an Italian Queen bee from Mr. Parsons, and Mr. Langstroth happening to be in the neighborhood, was requested to undertake the ceremony of inaugurating the new-comer as royal mistress over a native stock. It will be seen, that the republican tribe did not at first submit quietly to the usurpation. 

''....He (Mr. L.) first took away the Queen from a colony, driving off the bees that followed her, and when they had become uneasy and anxious from the loss of their Queen, he presented the new Queen at the entrance of the hive, in which were the bees which had adhered to the comb, and those that had returned from abroad. She entered immediately, but was instantly surrounded and enclosed by a knot of bees, and uttered a shriek of alarm, which caused Mr. Langstroth to disperse the bees and catch her, for fear she would be smothered. He then introduced her in the wire cage, in which she had been sent, and hung her in the hive, permitting the whole- swarm to return. He left her in this way perhaps half an hour, and as they appeared to be feeding her, then released her among the bees, who appeared to be now more willing to receive her. This was about 12 o'clock. After dinner, at 3, Mr. Langstroth started home. 

Mr. Rossel, the beekeeper, after this went to the hive, took off the honey-board, and found the Queen on the bottom of the hive, running as fast as possible, the bees pursuing her, and she squeaking. She ran out in front and took wing, but as she rose above his head, he fortunately caught her, and clipped her wings. He then sprinkled the hive with peppermint water, and as the bees in a few moments appeared quiet, gave them the Queen again, and they received her very peaceably. The next morning, he examined the hive, and found her upon the comb "all right." Mr. Pierce writes further : 

"We now attribute the trouble to the fact of Mr. Langstroth's cleansing some wax from his fingers with turpentine, just before he handled tho Queen, and they retained the scent, although he washed them afterward in clear water. We have found, if bees are robbing a hive, and the owners are dispirited, that a little whiskey, sprinkled upon the floor of the hive, so excites and enrages them, that they at once fight furiously, and kill every robber they can lay hold of. Tho turpentine doubtless has the same effect, and the queen being scented with it, was very offensive to the bees. I have entered into this detail, presuming you will be interested in our method and success, and also that you may have additional proof of the delicacy of the bees' olfactories, and the danger of offending them in this regard"

American agriculturist, Volume 19. August 1860

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