EXPERIMENT STATION REPORTS. 91 



hives sitting side by side, which we have been watching during the past 

 season. The colonies in the small hives were observed to store the most 

 honey in the surplus cases in a short flow, but the colonies in large hires 

 wintered the best in every case. 



A trial was made with Michigan beet sugar, compared with cane 

 sugar, as a winter and spring feed. The beet sugar was found to be 

 Mjual in every respect to the cane. The bees took the feed readily and 

 no bad results of any kind were seen. 



Different methods of outdoor wintering were tried with as greatly 

 different results. The bees were all either chaff packed or in chaff hives, 

 with the exception of two colonies. These two were strong in the fall, 

 but the only protection given them was a chaff cushion over the frames. 

 These two colonies both died of spring dwindling. The best method of 

 wintering; was found to be that of giving plenty of upward ventilation 

 in chaff inside a tight wintering case. The dovetailed chaff hive, 

 with a cushion over the frames and a telescoped cover, also gave good 

 results. 



Respectfully submitted, 



J. M. RANKIX, 



Ajnarist. 

 Agricultural College, Mich., 

 June 30, 1900. 



