THE ITALIAN OE LIGURIAN BBB, 317 



combs near the bottom, not enough to admit of rearing 

 bees for another swarm. 



HTVB CHOWDBD WITH BEES IN COOL WEATHBK. 



On examining the hives at the commencement of cold 

 ■weather, I found the whole colony packed into the small 

 space at the bottom where the brood w^as hatched. A 

 person not acquainted with the cause Qf their clustering 

 so low down, would at once suppose that he had a pro- 

 digious family, when in reality the whole number would be 

 no greater than in a colony of natives, where they were 

 gathered half way to the top. It must be admitted that a 

 colony with an excess of stores, is not in the best condition 

 for winter, especially in the open air. Very likely the com- 

 plaint will be made when this is the case, that the Italians 

 do not winter well, even when "the hive Avas full of 

 honey." 



The stores may be reduced, and the condition for winter 

 improved, by dividing such colony at the proper season, 

 and giving them empty combs for raising brood, or empty 

 frames in which to construct combs. Both divisions will 

 soon have plenty of breeding cells, and at the end of the 

 season, will probably be stronger, than if confined to the 

 few cells sometimes left for breeding in the fuU colony. 

 If dividing would make them entirely too weak, it would 

 benefit them greatly to remove several fuU combs, and re- 

 place with empty combs or frames. These bees are liable 

 to excesses ; when honey is scarce, they rear brood ; when 

 abundant, they gather too much for their own good. 

 They will need supervision, and movable combs of some 

 form are requisite. In giving my experience, I have given 

 what may be considered as the general rule. There are 

 exceptions in individual cases as with other bees. To sin- 



