■WINTERING BEES. 333 



dead brood, in a putrid state ; and this summer you 

 have used the old hive for a new swarm." 



" You are right, sir, in every particular. Now, I 

 would like to know what gave you the idea of my 

 losing the bees in that hive ? I can see nothing pe- 

 culiar about that old hive, more than this one," point- 

 ing to another that also contained a new swarm. 

 " You will greatly oblige me if you will point out the 

 signs particularly." . 



"I will do so with pleasure" (feeling quite willing 

 to give him the impression that I was "posted up" on 

 this subject, notwithstanding it savored strongly of 

 boasting). 



I then directed his attention to the entrance in the 

 side of the hive, where the bees had discharged their 

 fseces, on the moment they issued, until it was near 

 the eighth of an inch thick, and tvso or three inches 

 broad; that yet remained, and just began to cleave 

 off. " You see this brown substance around this hole 

 in the hive ?" 



" Yes, it is bee-glue {propolis) ; it is 'very common 

 on old hives." 



"I think not; if you will examine it closely, you 

 will perceive it is not so hard and bright ; it already 

 begins to crumble; bee-glue is not affected by the 

 weather for years." 



"Just so, but what is it, arid what has that to do 

 with your guess-work ?" 



" It is the excrement of the bees. In consequence 

 of a great many cells containing dead brood, which 

 the bees could not enter, they were unable to pack 



