The slightly sinister codename “Blue eyes” was rendered all the more chilling when, further along in my perusal of Gleanings in Bee Culture, I came across this illustration:

Who is Novice? Who is “Blue Eyes”? Are they stock characters in some long-forgotten apicultural passion play? I shall continue looking into this matter, even if I have to plumb the depths of the Depository of Blasted Hopes.
Meanwhile, “Too much swarming? Yes!” is how I’m going to conclude all of my correspondence going forward.