13 



sides the loss of labor from the nurse bees which could be utilized in 

 rearing of worker brood. It is much better to prevent them in the 

 first place, by the use of full sheets of foundation, which will be dis- 

 cussed later. 



DEVELOPMENT OP THE DRONE. 



The drones are reared in cells of the same shape as workers, but 

 somewhat larger in size. The drone cells are about a quarter of an 

 inch and the worker cells are about a fifth of an jnch in diameter. It 

 requires the same number of days for the hatching of the egg after 

 laying, as in the worker or queen, while that of the larval and trans- 

 formation period is much longer. Seven days are spent in the larval 

 and fourteen days lapse until the mature drone emerges from Its 

 cradle. Capped drone brood is easily recognized by the dome-shaped 

 cappings appearing like bullets while worker brood is comparatively 

 flat. 



RACES OF BEES. 



The honey bee (Apis mellifica) is probably the widest known insect 

 in the world. It is considered as representing the height of evolution 

 among insects, in that the social organization is the most perfect of 

 all insects living in communities. It Is not a native of America, but 

 was introduced by the early colonists. There are a number of dis- 

 tinct races, varying in size, color and disposition, depending largely 

 upon their point of origin in the different parts of the old world. 



Many varieties or races have been Introduced into America and sub- 

 mitted to many tests in order to ascertain their merits. Roughly the 

 races have been divided into three groups (1) Eastern (2) European 

 and African races. Of the different races the hybrid bee, which is not 

 a true race but a cross between the black bee and Italian, is the most 

 numerous in West Virginia. Among the true races. Blacks are first in 

 number with Italians second. There are few Caucasians, and in one 

 instance Banats reported. 



BEST BEES FOR WEST VIRGINIA. 



To obtain the best results In honey production the beekeeper must 

 possess the highest grade of bees obtainable. Among the different races 

 there are large numbers of distinguishing peculiarities to be con- 

 sidered. Some races possess certain features that are desirable and 

 likewise features that are entirely adverse to manipulation, such as, 

 cross disposition, excessive swarming, excessive propolizers, and re- 

 sistance to disease. 



Italians are recommended above all other races, and in such case 

 where the beekeeper has blacks or croses, it is well to Italianize. (Dis- 

 cussed in later paragraph.) There are a number of reasons for keep- 

 ing Italians, among those which possibly Is the highest factor In bring- 

 ing the Italian to its present place among beekeepers, is its resistance 

 to European foul brood. It may be well to mention a few more char- 

 acteristics in demonstrating their superiority In comparison to the 



