developing creature beneath. The capping over normal brood is 
slightly convex. Over drone brood the convexity 1s pronounced, 
and its appearance has been likened to that of pistol bullets stand- 
ing upright close together. 
When cappings become sunken or perforated very likely disease 
is present. 
CYCLE OF THE YEAR 
There is a season cf the year when no brood-rearing is being 
carried on within the hive. This in New Jersey commonly begins 
about November 1, although a colony headed by a young vigorous 
queen may have brood later than this date. 
At the approach of the inactive season brood-rearing gradually 
diminishes until it finally entirely ceases. If the nectar supply 
will permit, after the young bees emerge the cells are stored with 
honey and capped with a waxen lid. 
Seldom, if ever, are all the cells filled with honey, but when the 
nectar supply fails there are still cells containing developing brood. 
When this brood emerges there is an area of unfilled cells in and 
around which the bees cluster when the temperature within the hive is 
57 degrees F. or less. When the temperature within the hive is 
less than that named the bees, by muscular activity, generate heat 
and keep the temperature within the cluster of a normal broodless 
colony of bees up to this point. 
The bees feed on the stored honey to supply their needs. When 
the weather, because of low temperature or storm, is such that they 
are confined to the hive for some weeks, there is an accumulation 
of waste (fecal) matter within their bodies. This is normally dis- 
charged only when on the wing. 
When the coldest period of the year occurs a normal colony of 
bees, when not abundantly protected from low temperatures, greatly 
increases its activity, and the cluster temperature is raised to a point 
where egg deposition begins. This in New Jersey occurs some- 
time about the tenth of February, varying perhaps ten days between the 
extreme northern and southern parts of the state, and also varying 
with the outdoor temperature. 
But a few eggs are deposited in one comb at this early period. 
The rate of egg-laying increases as the season advances until the 
queen reaches her maximum production sometime about May 15 
to June 1. 
THE SWARM 
The numerical force of the colony is gradually reduced by deaths 
through the non-broodrearing period. Gradually in spring through 
16 
