4 BEES. on 
on. Honeydew honey should not be left in the hives, as it produces 
‘“‘dysentery.’’ Some honeys are also not ideal for winter stores. 
Those which show a high percentage of gums (most tree honeys) are 
not so desirable, but will usually cause no trouble. 
In wintering out of doors the amount of protection depends on 
the severity of the winter. In the South no packing is necessary, 
and even in very cold climates good colonies with plenty of stores 
‘an often pass the winter with little protection, but packing and 
protection make it necessary for the bees to generate less heat, and 
consequently they consume less stores and their vitality is not re- 
duced. Dampness is probably harder for bees to withstand than 
cold, and when it is considered that bees give off considerable mois- 
ture, precautions should be taken that as it condenses it does not 
get on the cluster. An opening at the top would allow the moisture 
to pass out, but 1t would also waste heat, so it is better to put a mat 
of burlap or other absorbent material on top of the frames. The 
hive may also be packed in chaff, leaves, or other similar dry material 
to keep out the cold. Some hives are made with double walls, the 
space being filled with chaff; these are good for outdoor wintering. 
The hive entrance should be lower than any other part of the hive, 
so that any condensed moisture may run out. The hives should be 
sound and the covers tight and waterproof. 
Entrances should be contracted in cold weather not only to keep 
out cold wind, but to prevent mice from entering. There should 
always be enough room, however, for bees to pass in and out if 
warmer weather permits a flight. 
In the hands of experienced bee keepers cellar wintering is very 
successful, but this method requires careful study.. The cellar must 
be dry and so protected that the temperature never varies more than 
from 40 to 45° F.; 43° F. seems to be the optimum temperature. The 
ventilation must be good or the bees become fretful. Light should 
not be admitted to the cellar, and consequently some means of indi- 
rect ventilation is necessary. 
Cellar wintering requires the consumption of less honey to main- 
tain the proper temperature in the cluster and is therefore econom- 
ical. Bees so wintered do not have an opportunity for a cleansing 
flight, often for several months, but the low consumption makes 
this less necessary. Some bee keepers advocate carrying the colonies 
out a few times on warm days, but it is not fully established whether 
this is entirely beneficial and is usually not practiced. 
The time for putting colonies in the cellar is a point of dispute, 
and practice in this regard varies considerably. They should cer- 
tainly be put in before the weather becomes severe and as soon as 
they have ceased brood rearing. The time chosen may be at night 
when they are all in the hive, or on some chilly day. 
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