THE QUEEN. 61 



throughout, and worker-cells all occupied, that she fdls 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 le<js when laying in drone-cells (224) pre- 

 vents the action of the muscles of her spermatheca. 



146. 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 hve in that hive for years, with- 

 out laying any drone-eggs, except, perhaps, here and there, 

 in odd-shaped junction-cells. Mr. A. I. Eoot, 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 it is safe 

 enough to call it a complete remedy."— ("A . B. C. of Bee Cult- 

 ure," page 134. Medina, 1883.J 



14:6. If, on the other hand, we furnish a swarm with 

 notliing but drone-comb, already built, they would soon 

 leave the hive. But, if a few worker-cells are among the 

 drone-ceUs, 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 

 rather large berth in which to grow and develop." ("A. B. C." 

 page 133.) " If you 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 1S8.) 



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 



