68 THE BEE KEBPEE'S MANUAL. 



air swarming with drones, many of which belong to other 

 colonies, and thus by crossing the breed, a provision is con- 

 stantly made to prevent deterioration. 



Experience has proved not only that it is unnecessary to 

 impregnation that there should be drones in the colony of 

 the young queen, but that this may be- effected even when 

 there are no drones in the Apiary, and none except at some 

 considerable distance. Intercourse takes place very high in 

 the air, (perhaps that less risk may be incurred from birds,) 

 and this is the more favorable to the continual crossing of 

 stocks, 



I am strongly persuaded that the decay of many flourish- 

 ing stocks, even when managed with great care, is to be 

 attributed to the fact that they have become enfeebled by 

 " close breeding," and are thus unable to resist the injurious 

 influences which were comparatively harmless when the 

 bees were in a state of high physical vigor. I shall, in the 

 chapter on Artificial Swarming, explain in what way, by 

 the use of my hives, the stock of bees may be easily 

 crossed. When a cultivator is too remote from other Apiaries, 

 to depend upon its being naturally effected. 



The Workeks oe Common Bees. 



The number of workers in a hive varies very much. A 

 good swarm ought to contain 15,000 or 20,000 ; and in 

 large hives, strong colonies which are not reduced by 

 swarming, frequently number two or three times as many^ 

 during the height of the breeding season. We have well- 

 authenticated instances of stocks much more populous than 

 this. The Polish hives will hold several bushels, and yet we 

 are informed by Mr. Dohiogost, that they swarm regularly, 

 and that the swarms are so powerful that " they resemble a 

 little cloud in the air." I shall hereafter consider how the 



