A Young Queen Takes The Place Of Her Mother In The Old Stock

Categories: BREEDING.
Bee Keeping: Mysteries Of Bee-keeping Explained

In ordinary circumstances, when a swarm has left a stock, the oldest of

the young queens is ready to emerge from her cell in about eight or

nine days; if no second swarm is sent out, she will take her mother's

place, and begin to lay eggs in about ten days, or a little less. Two

or three weeks is the only time throughout the whole season, but what

eggs can be found in all prosperous hives. Whenever a copious yield of

h ney occurs, drones are reared; as it becomes scarce, they are

destroyed.



The relative number of drones and workers that exist when they are most

numerous, doubtless depends on the size of the hive, whether one in

ten, or one in thirty.



When a swarm is first hived, the first cells are the size for working;

if the hive be very small, and bees numerous, it may be filled before

they are fully aware of it, and but few drone-cells constructed;

consequently, but few can be raised; whereas if the hive be large, long

before it is full, considerable honey will be stored. Cells for storing

honey are usually the size for drones; these will be made as soon as

the requisite number for workers is provided. An abundant yield of

honey during the process of filling a large hive, would therefore cause

a great proportion of these cells to be built--the amount of

drone-brood being governed by the same cause, is a strong argument

against large hives, as affording room for too many of these cells,

where an unnecessary number of drones will be reared, causing a useless

expenditure of honey, &c.