208 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. {1 Srpr., 1898. 
THE ABNORMAL PRODUCTION OF DRONES 
takes place in hives that have been started without due thought as to the 
kind of comb the bees of the swarm will build. If we put a good swarm into 
an empty skep or movable comb hive, the frames of which contain starters of 
foundation only, just at the commencement of the honey-flow the bees desirous 
of storing all the honey they can gather will build those cells that are quickest 
and most economically built, hence a superabundance of drone cells, The same 
swarm, particularly if headed with a young queen, hived at another time when 
the inflow of honey is only moderate, will build almost exclusively cells of 
worker size only. 
Worker cells might be produced in the brood-chamber, even though the 
swarm is hived during the honey-flow if a super be given at once, for then the 
surplus honey will be taken above, while the combs below will be composed of 
worker cells in which breeding is carried on. 
CHECKING THE INCREASE OF THE DRONES. 
In movable comb hives it will soon be necessary to make arrange- 
ments for checking the increase of drones, but, as it can only be done by 
removing drone and substituting worker comb, frames filled with foundation 
must be ready and given when the stocks are becoming strong, and such a 
frame at the side of the brood-nest is not likely to be a detriment. When itis 
found that the bees take to and work into combs readily frames of foundation, 
it is only a matter of a few weeks to convert all the combs into nice, straight 
combs of worker cells. 
It must be stated, however, that it is a very dangerous practice to give 
the full sheets of foundation in the centre of the brood-combs at the com- 
mencement of the season. They should always be given at the side, and if 
ell wired into the frames that method of giving new frames is preferable at 
all times. 
For some weeks, however, food and wraps with narrow entrances are the 
essentials to steady progress of breeding arrangements within the hive. 
QUEENSLAND HONEY IN LONDON. 
Our apiculturists appear destined to continual bad markets for their honey 
in England. Complaints are made by the home experts of every shipment sent 
from Queensland. The latest are laid against the honey exported by the 
“Jumna” and “Duke or Argyll.’ It is stated that the shipment by the 
former vessel (seventy cases) was unfit for table use, although admirably adapted 
for manufacturing purposes. It was not very clear, neither was it of good 
flavour. This refers to twenty cases from Brisbane. With regard to fifty 
eases sent from Rockhampton, the experts report that the honey was of fair 
quality and in good condition, but it possessed a somewhat peculiar flavour, 
and was not a table honey. It was too dark and too varied in colour—two very 
serious drawbacks for a table article. It was much inferior to Jamaican honey. 
It was sweet and strong enough for manufacturing purposes; and as there was 
always a fair demand for this class of honey, there was no reason why 
Queenslanders should not continue to send it. Butno hope of better prices 
could be held out. If any price from 20s. to 22s. 6d. would satisfy the Queens- 
lander, then he might send forward, for that was about all Queensland honey 
was worth in the present state of the market. 
Thirty of the “ Jumna’s” cases had been sold at these figures. Jamaican 
honey, which was clear and firm and of a quickly “setting”? character, sold at 
from 26s. to 80s. per ewt.; but Queensland honey such as the Rockhampton 
shipment would never fetch this price in England. The qualities it should 
possess are—lighter colour, more pronounced flavour, and with a greater 
aptitude for “setting.’’ It is recommended that honey be sent to England in 
casks of from 3 cwt. to 4 ewt. 
