BEE PASTUKAGE. 05 



philosopher would say it should be doiu-. If it were filled 

 at once, and uo care taken to attach it to the sides, the 

 external air would not keep it in j)l;ice, as it now does, 

 effectually, when the cell is of ordinary length. When 

 the cell is about one-fourth of an inch deep, they often 

 commence filling it, and as it is lengthened, they continue 

 to add honey, keeping it within an eighth of an inch of 

 the ends, it is never quite full, till nearly sealed over, and 

 often not then. In worker cells the sealing seldom touches 

 the honey. But in drone cells the case is different. The 

 honey on the end touches the sealing about half way up. 

 It is kept in the same concave shape while being filled, 

 but being in a larger cell, the atmospheric pressure is less 

 effectual in keeping it in its place ; consequently, when 

 they commence sealing these cells, they begin on the low- 

 er side, and finish at the top. When storing honey in 

 boxes, cells of this size are usually much longer, iu which 

 case they are crooked, the ends turning upward, some- 

 times half an inch or more. This, of course, will prevent 

 the honey from running, but if the box is taken off", and 

 turned over before such cells are sealed, they are very sure to 

 lose much of their contents. The drone cells of ordinary 

 length, in the breeding department, will hold the honey 

 well enough as long as they remain horizontal, but turn 

 the hive on its side, and bring the open end downward, 

 in hot weather, or break out a piece and hold it in that 

 position, the air will not keep the honey in place, but will 

 do so in the worker cells. 



SOME CELLS CONTAIXIXG HONEY FOK DAILY TTSE. 



I never examined a hive, fully supplied Avith bees and 

 honey, in winter or summer, but it had a number of un- 

 sealed cells containing honey, as well as pollen, unless it 

 was destitute of a queen. They will always have some 

 cells open for daily use, even if they have stored a large 



