242 
SUMMER. 
lost, (one in fifteen). If the number of drones was 
any less than it is, the queen would have to repeat 
her excursions in proportion, before successful. As 
it is, some have to leave several times. The chances 
and cousequences are so great, that on the whole no 
doubt but it is better to rear a thousand unnecessarily, 
than to lack one just in time of need. Therefore let 
us endeavor to be content with the present arrange- 
ment, inasmuch as we could not better it, and proba- 
bly had we been consulted, would have so fixed “ the 
thing, that it would not go at all.” 
But what is the use of the drones in hives that do 
not swarm, and do not intend it, situated in a large 
room or very large hives? Such circumstances sel- 
dom produce swarms, yet as regular as the return of 
summer, a brood of drones appear. What are they 
for? Suppose the old queen in such hive dies, leav- 
ing eggs or young larvae, and a young queen is reared 
to supply her place. How is she to be impregnated 
without the drones? Perhaps they are taught that 
whenever they can afford it, they should have some 
on hand to be ready for an emergency. I have al- 
ready said when bees are numerous, and honey abun- 
dant, they never fail to provide them. I once put a 
swarm in a glass hive. The queen was a cripple, 
having lost one of her posterior legs ; in two months 
after she was replaced by one young and perfect. 
Here was an instance of drones being needed, when 
no intention of swarming was indicated ; the hive was 
but little more than half full. 
