THE QUEEN. 61 
throughout, and worker-cells all occupied, that she fills the 
unoccupied drone-cells. This has given rise to the popular 
theory that the bees raise drones whenever they intend to 
swarm. It is possible that the width of the cells and the 
position of her legs when laying in drone-cells (224) pre- 
vents the action of the muscles of her spermatheca. 
145. The preference of the queen for worker-cells can 
not be disputed. If all the drone-combs are removed from 
a hive and replaced with worker-combs, she will not show 
any displeasure. She will live in that hive for years, with- 
out laying any drone-eggs, except, perhaps, here and there, 
in odd-shaped junction-cells. Mr. A. I. Root, of Medina, 
O., makes the same remark: 
“By having a hive furnished entirely with worker-comb, we 
can so nearly prevent the production of drones, that itis safe 
enough to call it a complete remedy.”—(‘‘A. B. C. of Bee Cult- 
ure,” page 134, Medina, 1883.) 
146. If, on the other hand, we furnish a swarm with 
nothing but drone-comb, already built, they would soon 
leave the hive. But, if a few worker-cells are among the 
drone-cells, the queen will find them and will lay in them. 
On this subject, Mr. Root says: 
147. “Bees sometimes rear worker-brood in drone-comb 
when compelled to from want of room, and they always do it by 
contracting the mouth of the cells, and leaving the young bee a 
tather large berth in which to grow and develop.” (‘“‘A. B.C.,” 
page 133.) “Ifyou give a young laying queen a hive supplied 
only with drone-combs, she will rear worker-brood in these 
drone-cells. The mouth of the cells will be contracted with 
wax as mentioned before.’”’ (Page 188.) 
148. An experiment, made in Bordeaux, under the su- 
pervision of Mr. Drory, editor of the ‘‘Rucher,’’ has proven 
that the queen may lay worker-eggs in drone-cells. <A piece 
-of drone-comb containing worker-brood, was sent us by 
him. The eggs were laid irregularly and the mouth of the 
