130 THE beekeepers' DIRECTORY. 



failure. I really supposed I had so arranged some combs that 

 only drones could be reared, but the little rascals were too 

 smart for me and my plans were upset. An old queen and 

 several quarts of bees were placed in a hive having six frames 

 containing drone-comb only, and I supposed, of course, that 

 the bees must rear drones and nothing else. I watched the 

 process day by day and had the satisfaction of seeing an egg 

 in most of the cells ; the little worm or grub was nursed, and 

 finally the cells were sealed over, but not as drone cells are 

 usually sealed with a projecting round cap ; the capping was 

 as smooth on the face of the comb as any worker brood, and 

 worker brood, I discovered later on, was all the cells con- 

 tained. Well, I was beaten, disappointed and disgusted. Just 

 then another idea struck me. I began to think I had hit up- 

 on a plan to rear worker bees as large as drone bees. The 

 workers hatched in due time, but they were no larger than 

 any other bees, and I had the labor for my pains, and only 

 the results of the experiment to pay me. Some one will say 

 "Why didn't the bees rear drones the same as in the first case 

 given ?" The reason is this : The bees used in the first experi- 

 ment had been queenless several days, while the bees used in 

 the last experiment had not been. Does the rea:der see the 

 point ? 



No one can know these things without actual experience 

 and well conducted experiments. We must experiment or be 

 governed by theory. I like to go to the bottom of all such 

 things, and then when a statement is made the actual facts 

 are at hand to back them up. No author should make state- 

 ments that he is uncertain about. A standard work on any 

 subject should contain actual facts and those founded upon 

 experience. 



How to know when robbing is going on in the apiary. 

 When robbing is going on in the yard I generally know 

 it without going into the apiary. An occasional stray bee 

 will come into the oflSce where I am writing. As soon as 

 discovered, the hive attacked is closed with a wire-screen to 

 give ample ventilation. If but few bees have got at it, I 

 manage to kill them with a piece of thin, wide board. 



■ After the bees once become engaged in robbing they are of 

 no use in the apia,ry, as they will continue to steal during the 



