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caps of the sealed brood appear indented and shrivelled, 
and the young bees and larvae in unsealed cells become 
putrid, emitting a disagreeable stench, perceivable 
several feet from the hive. Its real cause is yet un- 
known, but it is usually introduced from other colonies 
infested with the disease, being contagious ; combs or 
honey taken from such colonies are often the convey- 
ing agents. Drive the bees from their combs into a box, 
confine them for two days, till free from the honey 
taken with them ; cut all the brood and honey from the 
comb, subject the remaining comb to the fumes of sul- 
phur and camphor, laid on hot coals, put them and the 
bees into a new hive, and feed with pure honey. The 
honey may be purified by thorough boiling and skim- 
ming. 
WINTERING BEES. 
Success in this operation depends, to a great extent, 
on the proper preparation of a colony for wintering. 
In the first days of October, ascertain the exact con- 
dition of every colony; if any are found weak in num- 
bers, they should be made strong by uniting two or 
more colonies ; strong colonies consume less honey than 
small ones. Swarms of the current year are usually de- 
ficient in bee-bread, and one of their combs should 
be exchanged with a comb from an old colony, which 
generally has a surplus of it. The weight of such 
swarms, without the hive, should be at least thirty 
pounds. 
