162 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



Mr. Bradley. When that swarm issued, the old queen 

 went with the swarm. The consequence was, they had no 

 young queen, but they had the means of making one, and, as 

 1 stated in the paper I have read, in nine days this young 

 queen hatched out. You might then expect a second swarm, 

 but probably no swarm issued. Now, when the young queen 

 came out of the hive, that is, about three days after hatching, 

 a king bird probably caught her. That left the hive without 

 a queen, and no means of making one, and sometimes, under 

 such circumstances, the bees get discouraged and cease work. 

 The life of a bee in the working season is only a few weeks. 

 Hence they gradually dwindle away, and the moths gathered 

 about the premises, and made the most of it. 



Mr. Stickney. I would inquire if the moths would not 

 get into a vigorous hive ? Or do they always take the weak 

 ones ? 



Mr. Bradley. I never knew a moth to get into a hive 

 with a strong colony. If any do get in, the bees will cer- 

 tainly exterminate them. Sometimes in weak swarms, where 

 the combs cannot be properly protected, they might get in 

 one corner, and do some injury ; but if you keep your stock 

 strong, you will have no trouble. The bees will take care of 

 the moths themselves. 



Mr. . I would like to inquire if bees ever need feed- 

 ing in winter, and if they can be fed with any benefit ? 



Mr. Bradley. I did not explain the feed system, but the 

 way the feeding system is practiced is, they have a small box 

 above the hive, just room enough for the queen to occupy 

 with her brood of eggs, but for no honey. The bees at once 

 go up to the surplus receptacles and deposit their honey ; the 

 consequence is, there is no honey below, and they remove 

 that and put on other boxes ; and during the fall the queen 

 ceases laying so many eggs and leaves one or two combs, 

 which the bees fill up with honey. The sections on top are 

 not quite filled, so the apiarist will go and lift out those frames 

 full of honey, shave off the caps, and slip them back again, 

 and the bees will take this honey and carry it right up to the 



