346 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. 



bees had been busy expelling dead brood. In the other, found 

 eggs in moderate quantity. Very small larvae in both. 



"Feb. 11. Opened glass hive, and found the cells mostly 

 emptied of dead brood, and abundance of eggs, and larvae just 

 hatched. Discovered an opening between the hive and top-board, 

 permitting upward ventilation, and closed it. 



<: March 1. Made a thorough examination of both hives. Eggs, 

 larvae, and sealed b'rood in both. The glass hive very wet, water 

 standing on the tops of the frames, and at least a gill on the bottom- 

 board ; combs mouldy, and whole aspect of things comfortless. 

 The other, quite dry, both hive and combs. Examined two other 

 glass hives, having top ventilation, and found them dry. All have 

 been treated precisely alike, except that the closed-up hive has 

 had less water, as the bees did not seem to want it manifesting 

 no pleasure at receiving it. This hive had not so many eggs as 

 the other, though much the larger stock, and appeared in a less 

 healthy condition generally." 



In any of my hives which have an upper cover, the bees 

 can be easily supplied with water, and in those which 

 have none, it may be injected with a straw into the 

 winter entrance, or poured through the roof by a small 

 hole, stopped with a plug, care being taken not to give 

 too much.* 



If the oolonies are strong in numbers and stores, have 

 upward ventilation, easy communication from comb to 

 comb, and water when needed and the hive entrances are 



* Mr. Wheaton finds that they will easily supply themselves with water from a 

 sponge put over a hole, and covered with a tumbler : " If the water is sweetened, 

 they will always drain the sponge ; if not, they pay little attention to it, unless 

 prevented from going abroad." 



Mr. Wagner suggests that a piece of roofing-slate, fastened to the underside of 

 the bottom-board, will cause the water to condense over the bees, where they can 

 easily get access to it. Mr. Gary, at my suggestion, has placed a pane of glass 

 on the frames directly over the bees, and the water condensed on it has seemed 

 to supply all their wants. It should be elevated, so that the bees can pass under it. 

 It may be found that, by some such simple device, we can, without any super- 

 vision, supply all the moisture that a strong colony needs in the coldest weather, 

 before breeding has begun very actively. There is little doubt that it would i 

 -for bees that are not wintered in the open air. 



