98 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



In order to meet the requirements of a healthy bee hive, in outdoor 

 wintering, I would briefly suggest the following : ist, a sufificient quantity of 

 honey to meet the demands of the colony until the bloom of the following 

 spring. This honey store should be so distributed that the combs upon which 

 the bees are clustered will contain honey enough to feed the colony during the 

 cold weather, reserving the side stores for breeding in the spring. Never put 

 empty comb in the centre of the hive after the honey season has closed. 2nd, 

 the cover of the hive should be a solid board, sealed tight by the bees, and this 

 covered to the depth of ten or twelve inches with some heat-retaining substance, 

 in order that the top of the hive may be kept warm ; protection to the other parts 

 of the hive is also absolutely necessary, at least in the North- Western States. 

 I have followed the discussion in " Gleanings " concerning sealed covers, with 

 considerable interest, and am not surprised that success has not attended some 

 of those who have tried them. The reason is quite plain to my mind. Too 

 much emphasis has been placed on one part of the method, that is the 

 sealed cover, ignoring to a great degree the deep covering above, a most 

 essential adjunct. In some regions, as Central Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, etc., 

 the depth of covering indicated may not be necessary, but in colder climates the 

 sealed cover will be a failure without it. Space does not permit of my explain- 

 ing in full all the details of my method of wintering. In my work "The 

 Winter Problem in Bee-keeping," I have stated these at length. Nor do I 

 consider that all bee-keepers should understand what conditions are 

 necessary and then provide for these in any manner convenient to his 

 or her situation and surroundings. Since publishing "The Winter 

 Problem," I have found by setting, that an empty space below the hive 

 is a valuable adjunct in wintering out of doors, not to let the foul air settle 

 at the bottom, as was, firs' claimed, but for the following reasons : ist. It is an 

 absolute safeguard agaiust the entrance of the hive becoming choked when 

 covered with snow. 2nd. The bottom of the hive is, in winter, the coldest ; this 

 space lifts the cluster above the cold boards. 3rd. Bees are not apt to fly out 

 on cold sunny days if the lower edge of the comb is three or more inches 

 from the bottom board. The strength of the colony is thus conserved, and 

 early breeding encouraged. 



In conclusion let me say, that winter losses are not caused by poor honey, 

 by fruit juice, by pollen, or by bacteria, it is simply a case oi protection 2ind food, 



Brantford^ Ont. R. F. Holterman. 



Manure for Pear Orchard. — Hitherto I have always used stable manure 

 in my pear orchard. This year I submitted a good dressing of steamed bone 

 and muriate of potash. The eff'ect on the quality of certain varieties was quite 

 marked : Rostiezer, Gifford, Bartlett, Bosc and Lawrence were greatly improved. 

 The Tyson, Sheldon, Anjou and Winter Nelis were but slightly affected in 

 respect to quality. The Anjou, however, whether for this or some other cause, 

 keeps much better than ever before.— Gardening. 



