OUTDOOR WINTERING OF BEES. 9 
tions so far made, it appears that the beekeeper may use the mate- 
rials most easily obtained. If dry leaves are used, they should be 
packed tight, but sawdust should simply be poured in place without 
being packed tight. 
The entrance.—The weak place in hive insulation is the entrance. 
An opening 8 inches wide and 2 inch high is abundant, it usually 
being constructed as a tunnel through the packing. In cold weather 
this might be still further reduced. The opening should be shielded 
from the wind, to prevent a rapid loss of heat, for if the wind blows 
against the entrance the heat stored up in the packing is lost both to 
the outside and the inside. The only reason for an entrance as large as 
the size mentioned above is the danger that dead bees will drop from 
the combs and block a smaller entrance. Since the number of dead 
bees is greatly reduced in well-insulated hives this is less important, 
and, furthermore, if the air within the hive is warmed to 57° F. the 
dead bees will be pushed outside, even in freezing weather. 
Methods of packing.—The exact method of packing is not espe- 
cially important, provided enough insulation is given on all sides. 
Colonies may be packed singly in any sort of box, or they may be 
packed in groups of four, as previously described (p. 7). Some 
beekeepers arrange colonies in long rows and apply insulation to the 
whole row. The placing of several hives in contact has the advantage 
that the colonies insulate one another. If arranged in groups of four, 
_ two facing east and two west, they may be left on the same stand 
throughout the year and are readily manipulated during summer. 
If in long rows close together, summer manipulations are impeded, 
unless the hives are moved after the insulation is removed. Placing 
colonies in long rows is therefore not advisable. Whatever type of 
outer case is used, it should be tight, to prevent rain and snow from 
wetting the insulating material. 
A rather common practice is to pack the hive at the sides, top, and 
rear, but to leave the front unprotected and faced to the south, the 
object being to utilize the heat of the sun to warm up the interior of 
the hive and reduce the work of the bees. Any place through which © 
external heat may readily reach the interior of the hive is also effi- 
cient as an avenue through which heat may be lost when the sun is 
not shining. Since the sun shines less than half the time in winter, 
making no allowance for cloudy days, the weakness of the argument 
for this practice is obvious. A similar practice is to paint the pack- 
ing cases a dark color to absorb the sun’s heat. Considerably more 
detailed work is needed to determine to what extent this source of 
heat is of value to the colony. 
Time for packing.—At the time of the first killing frost the bee- 
keeper should promptly remove supers, if any are on his hives. If 
