REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTANIST. 215 



at both ends might not be immediately above the hives, which were in the middle of the 

 pit. The hives rested on two cedar poles laid along the full length of the pit. The 

 ventilators, which were 3 inches by 4 inches, were made of boards, three of which 

 reached down to the bottom of the pit, the fourth only to the top of the pit, and the 

 ventilators rose 3 feet above the ground, wooden covers removed and replaced by chaff 

 cushions. In each hive 2 by 2 inch strips of wood were laid under both sides and under 

 the back end between the brood chambers and the bottom boards, so as to provide 

 more space at the bottom of the hive in case a quantity of dead bees should accumu- 

 late there. The pit was covered with cedar poles laid along its length, the middle ones 

 higher than the others, and these covered with a layer of straw and one foot of soil. A 

 small shaft was also arranged between the hives, down which a thermometer could be 

 lowered by means of a string, so that the temperature of the pit could be ascertained 

 Temperature was taken once each week. From November to March the temperature 

 did not go below 38 nor above 39. On 26th March the pit was opened, when it was 

 found that water had got in and risen half way up the hives, both colonies appeared to 

 be fairly strong in numbers, combs were badly moulded. On 5th April one hive was 

 noticed to be very weak. On 23rd April it was deserted. The other hive came through 

 well, and on 23rd April was building up rapidly. 



This experiment did not come out as well as in former years, owing to the water 

 getting into the pit. This water came from a trench dug above the pit, with no outlet 

 but into the pit. There was no trench dug in former years and no water had troubled. 



It will also be noticed no straw was put in the pit over and around the hives as in 

 former years. We find it much better without any straw. Weight of each hive in the 

 autumn of 1897, 62 pounds, and in the spring of 1898, 50 pounds 6 oz., a loss of 1 1 

 pounds 10 oz. each. 



Experiment No. 5. — Wintering in House Apiary. 



Two colonies Nos. 47 and 48, were left in the house apiary with some additional 

 packing. The House Apiary faces the south, the walls are double boarded, with an air 

 space of four inches. The floor, which is about one foot from the ground is also double 

 boarded and there is no draught under it. The hives were moved one foot from the 

 wall, and placed on a double thickness of sacks laid on the floor ; the wooden covers were 

 removed and replaced by chaff cushions. In addition to this, the hives were covered 

 above and all around with a double thickness of the same sacking. Also 1 foot of cut 

 straw was put below and all around. A small shaft 1^ inch square extended from the 

 opening of each hive to the outside of the shed ; 2 inch strips of wood were placed under 

 both sides and under the back, between the bottom board and the brood chamber, so as 

 to give more space at the bottom of the hive in case a quantity of dead bees should 

 accumulate. 



No flying took place from 12th November, 1897, until 7th March, 1898, when 

 several bees flew out but were not seen to return. On 8th March they were flying briskly 

 going out and returning. From 8th March to 26th they flew 9 days. 



On 26th March they were unpacked : Hive No. 47 had 2 inches of dead bees on the 

 bottom board and was in a very weak condition. Hive No. 48 also had 1 inch of dead 

 bees on the bottom board but appeared to be in better condition than No. 47. 



Another examination was made on 21st April, when hive No. 47 was found to be 

 deserted, the combs were quite dry and clean and there was plenty of sealed honey in 

 the hive. 



Hive No. 47 weighed in the autumn of 1897, 54 pounds, and in the following spring 

 34^ pounds, showing a loss of 19| pounds. Hive No. 48 weighed in the autumn of 

 1897, 56 pounds, and in the following spring 39^ pounds, a loss of 16| pounds. 



Experiment No. 6. — Two colonies were put into the cellar with bottoms of the hives 

 left on, just as they were brought in from the bee-yard. The wooden covers were re- 

 moved and nothing left on except a tightly sealed propolis quilt, the entrance was left 

 wide open. During the entire winter the bees kept perfectly dry, and very slight hum 

 could be heard. 



March 26th. — Both hives removed to bee yard ; appeared to be in excellent condi- 

 tion ; there were scarcely any dead bees and the hives were dry and clean. 



