290 WINTEEING BEES. 



I will think of it. But how did you know that it was an 

 old hiv^e, and that it was well filled ? " 



" When looking under it just now, I saw that combs 

 of a dark color had been attached to the sides near the 

 bottom, below where those are at present ; this indicates 

 that it had been full ; and the dark color shows that the 

 combs were old. Also, a swarm early and large enough 

 to fill such a hive the first season, would not be very 

 likely to be affected by the cold in this way." 



" Why not ? I think this hive was crowded with bees 

 as much as any of my new swarms." 



" I have no doubt that it appeared so ; but we are very 

 liable to be deceived by dead brood in the combs. A 

 medium-sized family will make more show in such a hive, 

 than a larger one that have empty cells to creep into, and 

 can pack more closely." 



" But how did you know about the dead brood ? " 



"Because old stocks are often thus reduced and lost." 



" What were the iadications of its having been filled 

 with honey?" 



" Combs are seldom attached to the side of the hive 

 farther down than they are filled with honey. In this 

 hive the combs had extended to the bottom, consequently 

 must have been full ; also, unless a colony is very much 

 reducedj the hive is generally well stored, even when 

 diseased." 



" Why did you suppose it was near spring before I dis- 

 covered it ? " 



" I guessed at that. Tlae majority of bee-keepers are 

 rather careless, you know, and when .they have arranged 

 their bees for winter, seldom give them much more atten- 

 tion, till they begin to fly out in spring." 



" But what should I have done had I discovered the 

 bees coming out ? " 



" As it was affected with dead bi'ood, you could have 



