WINTERING BEES. . 249 



and lash the bark with cord. For the purpose nothing could be 

 better than a clothes-line (such as is usually procurable for about 

 4d.), and for a shilling or two length enough could be obtained 

 to do a great many hives. Where the cover is only an inch or so 

 beyond the top of the hive, water dribbles under. For gable- 

 roofed hives a cover of bagging which has received a coat of paint 

 or tar will do. Cornsacks coated in this way would last for several 

 winters. 



Internal dampness must be avoided, and floor-boards kept 

 ■clean. These are better renewed during the middle part of warm 

 days. By no means attempt to winter weak stocks. Far better 

 carry one strong colony through the winter than half a dozen weak 

 ones; in proportion, they consume far less food. 



But, above all, do not be avaricious, and rob your bees of the 

 last ounce of honey, and then expect them to pull through the 

 winter. 



