270 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST, 
Should Drones be Killed ? 
Mr J. K., of Bedford Co., Pa., asks “ What 
think you of the practice of killing the drones in 
the bee hive 1 They are very numerous at this 
time of the year, and consume much honey. Will 
their destruction injure the swarm 1” We sub¬ 
mitted the above questions to Mr. Quinby, to 
which he replies as follows : 
It is now admitted that the drones are the 
males among bees. Nature has so arranged it, 
that sexual intercourse takes place in the air. 
The excursions made by the queen for that pur¬ 
pose, are attended with much peril. To prevent 
failures as much as possible, a large number of 
males (drones) are provided, and multitudes of 
them are on the wing soon after the middle of 
each fair day. Nature provided drones enough 
for isolated colonies. When several hives, or 
stocks are brought together, the instinct that 
reared drones enough for one, is retained, and each 
colony provides the usual number, while one or 
two stocks might produce nearly enough. When 
a great number of stocks are in company, the 
chances of the queen being lost by entering the 
wrong hive after her excursion are greatly multi¬ 
plied ; perhaps a few more drones than one or 
two colonies would produce might be expedient 
to make her success as certain as possible. Yet 
when a large number of stocks are together, a 
majority of the drones maybe destroyed to advan¬ 
tage, and thus save all the honey they would 
consume. Unless the workers are very much 
reduced, the drones can be of no use a few weeks 
after swarming is over. A better way, where 
one has the moveable frames, would be to remove 
nearly all of the drone cells in the Spring, and 
substitute worker cells instead, thereby prevent¬ 
ing the rearing of the drones. 
- « . - 
Bees and Bee Culture. 
A LIST OP THE BOOKS ON THIS SUBJECT IN THE 
ENGLISH LANGUAGE. 
We present below an exceedingly valuable and 
interesting list of more than Sixty volumes print¬ 
ed in the English language, since A. D. 1600, 
devoted wholly or chiefly to the Culture of the 
Honey Bee. This catalogue, prepared with great 
sare and labor expressly for the Agriculturist, by 
our well known correspondent E. W. G., is the 
only one of the kind, at least in this country, so 
far as we know ; and apart from its interest to 
the general reader, will be a great convenience 
to those specially engaged in inquiries concern¬ 
ing the habits and instincts of bees. At some fu¬ 
ture time, we may comment upon the history sug¬ 
gested by this catalogue, which we leave now to 
speak for itself. It does not include works on 
Entomology in general, or special treatises in 
Cyclopedias and Scientific Journals. Though 
some of the more recent British publications are 
omitted, it is as complete and accurate as we have 
the means of making it; but if our readers dis¬ 
cover the omission of any titles, which it is in 
their power to supply, we beg them to inform us. 
In a few cases we have given the titles at unusual 
length, as an indication of the character of the 
works. 
Butler, (Chanes). Oxford: 1609 8vo. 
[2d Edition, London: 1623. 4to.] 
The Feminine Monakchie : or the Historie of Bees, 
and the right Ordering qf them. 
JLcvctt, (John). London: 1630. 8vo 
The Ordering of Bees. 
Remnant) 'Richard). London: 1637 4tq. 
History of Bees. 
Hartlib) (Samuel). London: 1655. 4to. 
The Reformed Commonwealth of Bees. 
Purchas, (Rev. Samuel). London: 1657. 4to. 
A Theater of Political Flying Insects : wherein 
especially the Nature, the Worth, the Work, the 
Wonder and the manner of Right-Ordering of the 
BEE is Discovered and Described. Together with 
Discourses Historical, and Observations Physical, 
concerning them. 
Geddc, (John). London: 1675. 8vo. 
Method of Beehouses and Colonies. 
Warder;(Joseph). London: 1676. (With plates.) Svo. 
Apiarium, or a Discourse of Bees : tending to the 
best way of improving them and to the fallacies that 
are imposed by some for private lucre on the credu¬ 
lous lovers and admirers of these insects. 
--- London: 1680. 8vo., with plates. 
A Further Discovery of Bees. 
Worlidge, (John). London: 1691. ISmo. 
Apiarium: ora Discourse of the Government and 
Ordering of Bees with their nature and properties. 
Sautlierne, (Edmund). London: 1693. 4lo. 
A Treatise Concerning the Right Use and Or¬ 
dering of Bees: Newlie made and set forth accord¬ 
ing to the Author’s own Experience: which by any 
heretofore hath not been done. 
Warder, (Joseph). London: 1712. 18mo. pp. 166. 
[Ninth Edition. London : 1765.] 
The True Amazons; or, The Monarchy of Bees: 
Being a new discovery and improvement of those 
wonderful creatures. [With directions “plain and 
easy how to manage them both in Straw hives and 
transparent boxes ; so that with laying out of but four 
or five Pounds, in three or four years, if the Summers 
are kind, you may get thirty or forty Pounds per an¬ 
num.”'} 
Gedde, (John). London: 1721. Svo. 
The English Apiary : or Complete Bee Master. 
Reaumur, (R. A. F.). London: 1744. Svo. 
12 Copper plates, pp. 468. 
The Natural History of Bees: containing an 
account of their production, their economy, the man¬ 
ner of their making wax and honey, and the best 
methods for the improvement and preservation of 
them. Translated from the French [by N. Bazin]. 
Tliorley, (Rev. John). London: 1744. 8vo. Cop¬ 
per plates, pp. 208. [Second Edition, Svo. 1765]. 
Melisselogia : or, The Female Monarchy: Be¬ 
ing an enquiry into the nature, order and govern¬ 
ment of Bees, those admiiable, instructive and use¬ 
ful insects. With a new, easy and effectual method 
to preserve them, not only in colonies, but common 
hives, from that cruel death to which their ignorant, 
injurious and most ingrateful owners so commonly 
condemn them. A secret unknown to past ages, and 
now published for the benefit of mankind. Written 
upon forty years observation and experience. 
White, (Stephen). London : 1756. Svo. 
Collateral Bee Boxes: or a new, easy and 
advantageous method of managing Bees, in which 
part of the honey is taken away in an easy manner, 
without destroying or much disturbing the Bees; 
early swarms, if desired, are encouraged, and late 
ones prevented. 
Swammerdam, (John, M. D.b London: 1758. 
The Book of Nature ; or, The History of In¬ 
sects. Translated from the Dutch and Latin, by 
Thomas Floyd. [Seventy-eight pages of this elabor¬ 
ate folio, and ten copper plate engravings are given io 
“A Treatise of Bees; or, an accurate description of 
their origin, generation, sex, economy, labors and 
use.”l 
Mills, (John, F. R. S.). London: 1766, Svo. pp. 168. 
An Essay on the Management of Bees : wherein 
is shown * * * that the practice of saving their lives 
when their honey and wax are taken from them was 
known to the Antients, and is, in itself, simple and 
easily executed. 
Wilclinan, (Thomas). London: 1768. 4to. pp. 176. 
[Second Edition, 1779]. Copper plates. 
A Treatise on the Management of Bees : where¬ 
in is contained the Natural History of those Insects ; 
with the various methods of cultivating them, both 
antient and modern, and the improved treatment of 
them. 
White, (William). London: 1771. Svo. 
Complete Guide to the Mystery and Manage¬ 
ment of Bees. 
Dehraw, (John). London: 1777. 8vo. 
Discoveries on the Sex of Bees : explaining the 
manner in yyhjch their species is propagated; with 
an account of the utilities that may be derived from 
these discoveries by their application to practice. 
Keys, (John). London: 1780. Svo. 
The Practical Bee-Master : in which is shewn 
how to manage Bees, either in Straw hives, or in 
boxes, without destroying them, and with more ease, 
safely and profit than by any method hitherto made 
public. [With strictures on Wildman’s treatise.] 
Bromwich, (Bryan J.). 1783. Svo 
The Experienced Beekeeper: an essay on the 
management of Bees. 
Bonner, (James). London: 1795. Svo. 
Plan for speedily increasing the number of 
Beehives in Scotland. 
Keys, (John). London: 1796. Plates, pp. 272.J 
The Ancient Bee-master’s Farewell ; or, Full 
and plain directions for the management of Bees to 
the greatest advantage; declaring further improve¬ 
ments, &c., Ac. [With strictures on Bonner]. 
Isaac, (John). London: 1799. 12mo. 
The general Apiarian; wherein a simple, human* 
and advantageous method of obtaining the produce o! 
the bees, without destroying them, is pointed out. 
Anonymous* London; 1800. Svo. 
Comfort to Aristeus ; or a few useful hints on the 
management of Bees, so as to render honey and wax 
a cheap and plentiful commodity, *0,, Ac 
Huber, (Francis). London; 1806. 12mo. 
New Observations on the History of Bees ; 
translated from the French. 
Keys, (John). London, 1814. 12mo. pp. 272. 
A Treatise on the breeding and management ot 
Bees to the greatest advantage. [This seems to be 
simply a reprint of “ The Ancient Bee Master’s 
Farewell.) 
IHuisli, (Robert), London; 1815. Svo. Plates, pp. 395 
[New edition, greatly enlarged. 1844. pp. 458.] 
A Treatise on the Nature, economy and practi¬ 
cal management of Bees, in which the various sys 
terns of Apiarians are examined, Ac. 
Sevan, (Edward). London: 1827. 12mo. Plates, 
pp. 404. [New Edition, xtended and revised, 
1838]. 
The Honey Bee : its Natural History, Physiology 
and Management 
Timelier, (James, M. D.). Boston: 1829. ISmo. 
pp. 164. 
A Practical Treatise on the Management of 
Bees : with the best method of destroying and pre¬ 
venting the depredations of the bee-moth. 
Smith, (Jerome V. C., M. D.) Boston; 1631. 18mo 
pp. 106. 
An Essay on the Practicability of cultivating 
the Honey Bee in maritime towns and cities. 
Payne, (J. H ). London; 1833. 12mo. pp. 71. 
The Apiarian’s Guide. 
Baggier, (Samuel, Jr.). London: 1834. 12mo. Forty 
woodcuts, pp. 244. 
The Management of Bees : with a description of 
the “Li.dies’ Safety Hive.” 
Kelsey, (Francis). New-York: 1835. 12mo. pp 24. 
A Practical Treatise on the Management of 
Honey Bees. 
Nutt, (Thomas). 3d Edition. Wisbech : 1835. 12mo. 
pp. 269. Sixth edition. London : 1846. pp. 340. 
Humanity to Honey Bees : or, Practical Direc¬ 
tions for the management of honey Bees upon an im¬ 
proved and humane plan, by which the lives of bees 
may be preserved, Ac. 
Smith, (Richard). 1839. 12mo. 
The Cottager’s Bee Book. 
Weeks, (John M.). New and enlarged Edition. Bos 
ton; 1840. 18mo. pp. 128. 
A Manual: or an Easy Method of Managing Bees, 
with infallible rules to prevent their destruction by 
the moth. 
Hall, (William M.). New-Haven: 1840. pp. 48. 
The Apiarian • or a Practical Treatise, Ac 
Duncan, (James). Edinburgh: 3840, 
The Natural History of Bees. 
Wigliton, (J-). London. 1842. 12mO. 
History and Management of Bees 
Cotton, (W. C.) London. 1842. 8vo. Plates. 
My Bee Book. 
--London: 1843. 12mo. 
Two Letters on Bees. 
Milton, (J.l 1843. Svo. 
Practical Bee Keeper 
