When Wedmore wrote his book in the thirties bees were far less promiscuous
than they are nowadays and mated with only one drone.  For mating strategies
in north west Europe Tom should also read The Honeybees of the British Isles
by Beowulf Cooper.  The contrasting strategies of local apiary as compared to
drone congregation area mating are examined in detail.
Wedmore's principle still holds good - don't let bad queens produce drones.
Chris Slade