BEE-KEEPER S MANUAX. 87 



cared for, even when the gatherers are extinct, for few 

 live to use the following season, that which is gathered 

 the season preceding. 



BEE-BREAD INJURIOUS WHEN STORED IN SURPLUS 

 aUANTITIES. 



The gathering of bee-bread at all seasons, though 

 showing forth the indefatigable industry of the bee, is 

 attended sometimes, with serious consequences to the 

 general prosperity of the family. It is in this way : — 

 Bees being ever prone to labor, will sometimes gather 

 a large surplus of bee-bread, taking up the room of the 

 hive for years, when there is no possible necessity for its 

 use. The cells that ought to be used for honey and 

 brood, being filled with this substance, lessen the gene- 

 ral prosperity of the. bees, as a matter of course ; and in 

 consequence of this superabundance of farina, the bees 

 require changing from old to new hives, about every 

 four or five years, even if no other cause existed for a 

 removal, which is not the case. 



COLOR OP BEE-BREAD DIFFERENT COLORg KEPT DISTINCT. 



Bee-bread is generally yellow, but it may often be 

 seen of a pale reddish hue, and at other times of a slate 

 color. The colors of this substance, as generally gath- 

 ered, appear to be about the same throughout the world. 

 No change takes place in its hue after being gathered, 

 but it is found of these colors in the nectaries of flowers. 

 A singular circumstance in the packing of this substance 

 in the cells, is worthy of notice. No two colors are ever 



