lo SOUTHERN BEE CULTURE 



Drones are raised only during the spring months and summer, when 

 bees are spreading their brood rapidly, and when they are expected to be 

 needed to fertilize queens. 



Drones have a very easy existence. They stay in the hive and eat honey 

 when they feel like it; then when it is uncomfortable in the hive they leave it 

 and sail around in the cool air and return when they feel disposed to do so. 

 Then during winter or cold weather, if there are any drones in a hive they 

 will be found about the middle of the cluster, where they will be sure to 

 keep warm ; so it is the nature of the drones to keep comfortable, have plenty 

 to eat, and do nothing. Then, too, the drones are the only bees which have 

 the privilege of going into any hive they wish in the apiary, and go from 

 hive to hive if they desire; but they are apt to stay where they are given 

 the best reception ; but, unfortunately, his days are numbered ; for as soon as 

 the bees decide not to swarm, and that drones will not be needed, the workers 

 will turn their vengeance upon them, and soon the colonies are about rid of 

 them. The bees do not kill many of them, but they pull them out of the 

 hives and torment them by pulling them around by the wings, and continue 

 to hold to them, even after the drones consent to leave, and are often on the 

 ground near the hive. Sometimes these drones will collect in great numbers 

 in the weak and helpless colonies, and especially those which are queenless, 

 and soon eat up their honey. But this is not a common occurrence; for I 

 believe that, when drones are not wanted, they will wander off and die ; for 

 it seems to be the instinct of the bee to do this, for the workers, as soon as 

 they realize that they are of no more service to the colony, will leave it to 

 die. I have seen many of them drop from the cluster, and crawl to the edge 

 of the alighting-board, then drop on the ground and die, wandering, may be, 

 a few feet from the hive, but never making any effort to return to it. 



There is a worthless bee of no importance, and a hindrance to its race, 

 w^hich we will consider under "Queen-Rearing." 



RACES OF BEES. 

 Their Good and Bad Qualities. 



Better stock for our apiaries has not been considered enough in the 

 South. There have been too many empty or light hives on hand at robbing- 

 time to expect great progress in the bee and honey industry. There have also 

 been too many poor honey years for it to take a rise. Locations have too 

 often been considered poor for bees. Honey-plants have been abused for not 

 secreting honey. The forest has been cleared too much to keep bees suc- 

 cessfully, etc. Everything has been brought up against bee-keeping except 

 the scrubby stock of bees that are most commonly found in our apiaries. 



