ATTRACTIONS OF BEEKEEPING 15 



dragged out, as there is no place for the decrepit 

 and the infirm in the economy of the bee. 

 When the season is over the drones are no 

 longer likely to be useful in the fertihzation of 

 virgin queens, they are also driven out without 

 mercy to die of cold or hunger in the open air. 

 On chiU autumn days little groups of discon- 

 solate drones huddled together beside the hive 

 are a common sight. When they are no longer 

 permitted to return to the warmth of the cluster 

 they gather into little bunches to get such com- 

 fort as they can from each other. 



While we may not be pleased with their con- 

 duct toward the helpless members of the com- 

 munity, we cannot but admire the singleness 

 of purpose with which they pursue their daily 

 activities. Seldom do we find a student of na- 

 ture but sooner or later becomes interested in 

 bees and since there is so much to be learned 

 concerning them it is usually a lifelong at- 

 traction. 



