26 FOUNDATION OF A BEE COLONY 



and leaving the younger generation in possession 

 of the old. 



The very first step taken when a colony projects 

 such an irruption is the laying by the queen of 

 drone eggs. These drone eggs are laid in specially 

 large cells. As soon as the drones are ready to 

 emerge, the workers commence to build special 

 cells in which to rear a number of young queens, 

 one of which is to become the ultimate mother of 

 the hive. It may sometimes happen, after this 

 work has commenced, that a change in the weather, 

 bringing a succession of wet days, when stores 

 cease coming in and outdoor work is an impossi- 

 bility, compels the colony to change its mind and 

 give up all idea of swarming. 



In such a case the embryo queens will be 

 dragged out of their cells and the cells them- 

 selves pulled to pieces. Another change in the 

 weather, with a consequent further overcrowding, 

 may necessitate the operation being gone over 

 again. In a fitful, changeable season this may 

 happen two or three times, and ultimately the 

 swarm may never take place at all. 



Assuming everything is favourable, however, 

 there comes a time when the oldest of the 

 young queens, having arrived at maturity, begins 

 to gnaw at the door of her cell and to give out 

 her shrill, piping note. This sound has a most 

 disturbing effect on the old queen. Her instinct 

 is to brook no rival, and she attempts to approach 



