156 



THE AMERICAN BEE-KEEPER 



July 



ties of the drone. Many years ago I 

 selected two strong colonies and de- 

 capitated the heads of all brood from 

 time to time. In course of the season 

 they became queenless and I believe 

 this was caused from Want of services 

 of the drones. I now only curtail the 

 quantity of drones. 



I never now clip queens' wings as 

 i am satisfied it results in their being 

 lost on the ground if not present at the 



swarming or being superceded by the 

 bees. 



In very hot weather bees cannot 

 work in close hives with only the en- 

 trance for ventilation. They will hang 

 on outside of hive and idle, instead of 

 gathering honey. In such cases I turn 

 back the corners of the sheets and 

 with fresh air they soon get to work. 

 As a proof of the need of ventilation, 

 how often do the bees cut holes in the 



DR. O. M. BLANTON. 



