Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1852-02-23
AGRICULTURAL.
The Honey Bee.

Lively Ub5OtidtlOH VI Ucto Ilue tliiGc
kinds-the queen, the droncs, and the
workers. 1t is estimated that hive US
usIIy contains from six to twelve thousand
bees. In some small hives, however, the
number is much less than six thousand,
while large ones have beenknown to have
~ many as twenty thousand.
There is only one queen bee in each
swarm, whether large or small. The av-
ersge proportion Of drones is about fifteen
to each thousand working bees. Hence,
about nineteen-twentieths of the bees in
every hive are workers.
The Drones.-Thc drones are the lare
est bees in the family. Their bodies are
thick. short and clumsy, and they are a.
bout the size Of two working bees. Their
wings are large and long, and they make
loud. buzzing noise when flying. They
have no sting, and they may be handled
without harm.
The drones are the male bees. They
live life of idlcness. taking no part in the
labor Of the hive. Indeed, they have not
the power to collect honey, or to provide
themselves with food. They have neither
honey-bags, such as workers have, to con
their legs for the pollen.
Were drone deprived oft the privileges
Of feeding on the stores Of the hive. it
would die. In one respect they have more
liberty than the workers for they are per
mittcd TO enter any hive, and live in the
same manner as their own.
The drones appear in the hives during
the latter part Of May, and are usually kill
ed or driven out To starve in the month Of
July. Sometimes a few are permitted to
remain much later in the season.
The Queen Bcc.-The queen bee is the
mother Of the family, and governs The hive.
She is longer and more slender than the
drone, but not as large. and is larger in
every respect than the worker. Her legs
are longer. but her wings are shorter in
proportion than those OF the drone or work
err.
The queen is very seldom seem. Some
times she may be observed during the
fime Of a swarming. She may OCCASION
ally be found in her royal cell. when the
bees have been destroyed with smoke for
the purpose ofobtaining their honey.
Thequecn is majestic in her movements,
and is accompanied by guard composed
oftwelvc workers. This attendance is
taken in turn.and never neglected Where
ever she goes the guards clear her path,
always turning their faces toward her with
the greatest respect.
She is armed with a sting. but seldom
uses il except against rival queens. She
may be taken in the bare hand. and will
seldom sting when handled carefully A
worker, taken in the same manner, would
be dropped like u piece OF hot iron.
The chief Office Of the queen is to lay |
eggs. one of which she deposites in each |
cell. These eggs are oftwo kinds-drone-
eggs and worker eggs. When worker |
egg is deposited in a royal cell it becomes
aquccn bee. There are seldom more than
i've or ten Of these cells in one hive
Royal Cei.-The queen usually COM
mences laying as soon as the genial warmth
Of Spring comes on. About the first of
May her great laying" takes place, when
she dcpositcs from one to two hundred eggs
per day. In warm climates this period
may take place earlier.
At first she deposites only worker eggs.
then she lays drone eggsfor few days,anj
after this again produces worker eggs
During the time oflaying the drone eggs
the royal cells are built; and when the |
queen commences laying worker eggs for
tho second time. she dcposites every few
days one Of these eggs in royal cell. and
from these the queens are produced.
The drones are produced from the eggs
in twenty -four days the worker in twenty |
days, and the queens in sixteen days
Though young queen bee has attained
IT'S growth, the workers will not allow 1t
TO come out of The cell as long as the old
queen remains in the hive. Should the
young queen effect her escape from the cell
the old one would seize and kill her i'm
mediaiely.
When the young queen has attained her
growth. and begins to say peep, recp,' the
old one knowing ii to be the cry of rival
Tor liberty. is aroused, and attempts to get
at the royal cell TO destroy its innate
But the workers prevent her from doing
this. and now, finding that she no longer
has absolute authority in the family, she
commences sudden vibration of her
wings, runs over every part of the combs,
followed by her subjects, and great com
motion ensues.
When notice has thus been fairly com
municated to the whole family, the queen |
Pushes toward the outlet the VI ord is given
- swarm. and away go the wor kers, as il
porsued by ten thousand foes.
While swarming they buster around
the queen and wherever she alishts, there
the whole company Immediately settle
The old queen always flies with the first
swarm.
Ater the old queen has ihuslefi the hive
the workers realize the young one. She
comes forth strong and full of energy. and
~ once assumes the government of the col
cny. If there be yet enough Of workers
kh 70 that another swarm can be spared,
the royal cells are still guarded by the
workers.
When this queen hears the peep Of
young rival just ready to escape from her
Cell, she attempts its destruction, and if pre-
vented by the workers, follows the exam
pie OF her predecessor, and leaves the hive
with another swarm. After this the second
young queen is released and takes the gov
ernmcnt ofthe family.
II. however, the workers decide, after
swarm has left. that no more can be spared
from their colony. the young queen is per-
nit,cd to visit all the royal cells and des-
troy the inmates, thus preventing any II
1als.
A most extraordinary fact in the history
.ofthc bee is. thai. if deprived of a queen,
when there are no young queens or eggs
IN theroyal cells. they take larva of work
er. place it in a royal cell, or build one Of
these cells around it, where, by being fed
On royal Jelly. ii becomes queen.
This is truly wonderful provision Of