BROOD. 163 



one of the current year ; but a hive with the latter 

 is found to have more brood, after this time, and con- 

 tinues to breed later in the season than the former. 



The sealed worker brood should present a regular, 

 smooth surface. An irregular brood denotes an un- 

 prolific queen ; a portion of raised oval cells is also 

 objectionable, all the cells being raised. Plate II 

 shows a drone-laying queen. 



If a fertile queen is present, eggs or larvae will be 

 found in the comb at all times from February till 

 October. There is no certain test, after they cease 

 breeding in the fall, till they again commence in the 

 spring. 



BROOD. 



Breeding commences in the best hives usually in 

 the month of January,* and constantly increases in 

 amount till the time of swarming, when a large quan- 

 tity of brood should exist. 



The first indication that breeding has commenced, 

 is the appearance of scales of new wax and eggs 

 found on the bottom board ; mutilated remains of 

 young, found there, or cast out of the hive at a later 

 period, show the age to which the brood has arrived. 



THE NUMBER OF BEES. 



The combs should all be covered, and the spaces 



* This is the case both in Pennsylvania and California, and 

 probably throughout the North Temperate Zone. 



OF THB 



tTNIVERSITY 



