216 EXPERIMEXTAL FARMS. 



Total weight of the two hives when put in, 104 J pounds ; when taken out, 83 

 pounds, a loss of 10 pounds 12 oz. each. Another examination was made 21st Api'il, 

 when they were both found to be building up rapidly and in excellent condition for a 

 honey flow. 



Experiment No. 7. — Two colonies were put in the cellar and placed on the shelves, 

 a three inch block being placed between the bottom board and the brood-chamber only 

 in front, making the full entrance 3 inches high across the whole front. The wooden 

 covers were removed and replaced with a chaff cushion. Temperature same as No. 1. 



During the whole w inter both colonies in this experiment were perfectly dry and 

 clean and showed no uneasiness of any kind. They came out in the spring in excellent 

 condition. 



Average weight of each hive when put into winter quarters 58|: pounds : when 

 taken out on 26th March, 47 pounds 10 ounces, showing that each hive had lost 10 

 pounds 10 ounces. 



Conclusions. 



Experiment No. 1. — Has given entire satisfaction for the past four years. The 

 an^ount of honey consumed during the winters per colony was in 1894-95, 12 pounds 9 

 ounces ; in 1895-96, 10 pounds : in 1896-97, 9 pounds 6 ounces; 1897-98, 9 pounds; or an 

 average for the four years, 10 pounds per colony. 



Experiment No. 2. — Hives put in the cellar as they canve from the bee-yard had 

 not sufficient ventilation. This result agrees with that of the past three winters. 



The amount of honey consumed during three winters was : 1895 to 1896, 13 pounds 

 per colony ; 1896 to 1897, 11 pounds 8 ounces; 1897 to 1898, 14 pounds 8 ounces; 

 or an average for the three years of 12 pounds 13^ ounces each. Although the amount 

 of honey consumed is not large, the vitality of the bees was not as good as in several of 

 the other experiments tried. 



Experii)ient No. o. — Wintering in a root-house. This experiment was again fairly 

 satisfactory ; although an extra space of 2 inches was given at the bottom, the hives 

 were damp and mouldy. Considering the amount of disturbance the bees are subject to 

 in this experiment, I would consider they came out well. 



Once or twice each week the large doors of the root-house were thrown wide open 

 to allow the teams in to draw the roots out, and this let in much cold air which came 

 suddenly upon the hives ; also the teams, drawing over the floor, jar them very much. 

 The amount of honey consumed per colony was in 1896-97, 14 pounds, and in 1897-98, 

 14^ pounds. 



Experiment No. J/.. — Wintering in a pit dug in a dry hill side. This experiment 

 has been very satisfactory. The past year a misfortune happened; when covering the pit 

 a trench was dug in such a way that water could not run out of it and finally got into 

 the pit. The amount of honey consumed per colony in 1896-97 was 9 pounds, in 1897- 

 98, 11 pounds 10 ounces. 



Experiment No. 5. — Wintering in a House Apiary. This experiment was again a 

 failure. The extra packing with 1 foot of cut straw was not sufficient to keep out the 

 cold. I would not advise any one where the temperature reaches 15 below zero to 

 winter in a house apiary such as described in No. 5 experiment. 



The amount of honey consumed per colony during the winter of 1896-97 was 15| 

 pounds, and in 1897-98 16^ pounds. This shows a larger amount consumed ; the 

 condition of the bees when taken out in the spring was besides very weak. The 

 colonies either dwindled out or did very little good the following summer. 



None of our experiments in wintering out of doors have given the same satisfaction 

 as those in the cellar, even when extra packing was given. 



Experiment No. 6. — Hives put in the cellar as they came from the bee-yard, 

 excepting that the wooden covers were removed, leaving on only the thick propolis quilt. 

 This mode of wintering has given satisfaction the past winter but will be tried further. 



Experiment No. 7.— Hives in the cellar raised in front only so as to give veiy wide 

 opening for ventilation. This experiment was also satisfactory and will be further 

 tried. 



