Philosophy In Filling A Cell With Honey

Categories: BEE PASTURAGE.
Bee Keeping: Mysteries Of Bee-keeping Explained

To witness the operation of depositing honey, a glass hive or box is

requisite; the edges of the combs will be attached to the glass--when

honey is abundant, most of these cells next the glass will contain

some. Now is the time to see the operation, glass forming one side of

such as are in contact, &c. The bee may be seen to enter the cell till

it reaches the bottom; with its tongue, the first particle is

deposited, an brushed into the corners or angles, carefully excluding

all the air from behind it--as it is filled, that next the sides of the

cell is kept in advance of the centre. The bee does not put its tongue

in the centre and pour out its load there, but carefully brushes the

sides as it fills, excluding every particle of air, and keeps the

surface concave instead of convex. This is just as a philosopher would

say it should be. If it was filled at once and no care taken to attach

it to the sides, why, the external air would never keep it there, which

it does effectually when of ordinary length. When the cell is about

one-fourth of an inch deep they often commence filling it, and as it is

lengthened they add to it, keeping it within an eighth of an inch of

the end; it is never quite full till nearly sealed over, and often not

then. In cells of the worker size, the sealing seldom touches the

honey. But in the size for drones the case is different; the honey on

the end touches the sealing, about half the diameter on the lower side;

it is kept in the same shape while being filled; but being somewhat

larger, the atmospheric pressure is less effectual in keeping the honey

in its place; consequently, when they commence sealing these cells they

begin on the lower side and finish at the top.