11^2 BEGINNER'S BEE BOOK 



exact size and shape of the bases of worker 

 cells, the bees will build mostly worker cells 

 where foundation is used. Drone cells being 

 larger require less wax in their construction and 

 less labor as well. This being the case wherever 

 worker cells are not needed for immediate use 

 to meet the needs of the queen, drone cells will 

 be built, for they serve equally as well for stor- 

 ing honey. Fig. 10 shows an ideal comb, at- 

 tached on all four sides to the frame and 

 composed entirely of worker cells most of 

 which contain sealed brood. Fig. 11 shows a 

 comb which is composed mostly of drone cells 

 as a result of using a narrow starter instead of 

 a full sheet of foundation. The high arched 

 cappings show that many of these cells contain 

 sealed drone brood. The cost in honey to rear 

 a single brood of drones in such a comb would 

 pay for a full sheet of foundation. This comb 

 can be used as an extracting comb, but is a 

 nuisance, since if it chances to get into the 



