30 
HIVES. 
tenth year without renewal of comb. A neighbor of 
mine kept a stock twelve years in the same combs; it 
proved as prosperous as am'. I have heard of their 
lasting twenty, and am inclined to believe it. 
CELLS LARGER THAN NECESSARY AT FIRST. 
The bees seem to make a provision for this emer- 
gcncy, the sheets of comb are farther apart than actually 
necessary at first, the diameter of the cell is also a little 
larger than the size of the young bee requires. Of this 
we are certain — a great many young bees can be rais- 
ed in a cell, and not be diminished in size, sufficient 
to be detected. The bottom fills up faster than at the 
sides, and as they do so the bees add a little to the 
length, until the ends of these cells on two parallel 
combs approximate too close to allow the bees to pass 
freely ; before which time it is unnecessary to remove 
comb for being old. 
EXPENSE OF RENEWING COMBS. 
One important item should be considered in this 
matter, by those who are so eager for new combs. 
It is doubtful whether one in 500 . ever thought of 
the expense of renewing comb. I find it estimated 
by one writer,* that twenty-five lbs. of honey was 
consumed in elaborating about half lb. wax. This 
without doubt is an over estimate, but no one will deny 
that some is used. I am satisfied of this much, from 
actual experience, that every time the bees have to 
renew their brood-combs in a hive, thej r would make 
from ten to twenty-five lbs. in boxes, hence I infer that 
• See Appendix of Cottage Bee-keeper, pago 118. 
1 
