652 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 



November, 1918 



BEES IN SINGLE-WALLED HIVES 



How to Pack for Outdoor Winter- 

 ing. Neil) Ideas as to the Best Shape 

 and Construction of Entrances 



By E. R. Root 



IN our October 

 issue I dis- 

 cussed the 

 fundamental s 

 for successful 

 outdoor winter- 

 ing; but I did 

 not ^o into mi- 

 nute details any 

 further than 



would be indicated by the halftone illustra- 

 tions on page 594. I have since had some 

 pen drawings made that show every detail 

 of construction of the different methods of 

 packing. These, together with the legends 

 beneath, explain not only the method but 

 the reason. 



It should be understood that we are show- 

 ing at this time only the methods of packing 

 colonies for single-walled hives. The con- 

 struction of the various double-walled hives 

 that are used both summer and winter is 

 so well known that I need not go into that 

 jjhase of outdoor wintering. Probably 99 

 per cent of all colonies of bees are in sin- 

 gle-walled hives, either on account of their 



initial cost or be- 

 cause of their 

 greater mobility 

 and compactness 

 for u t y a r d 

 work. Commer- 

 cial beekeeping 

 has resolved it- 

 self into a series 

 of apiaries sur- 

 rounding the residence of a beekeeper who 

 may also have an apiary in his own door- 

 yard. When a series of outyards are used, 

 aggregating from 300 to 500 or even 1,000 

 colonies, the first cost of the hive itself is 

 an important factor; hence I have felt that 

 it is important at this time to show several 

 ways of packing outdoors in single-walled 

 hives. 



As the legends beneath the engravings 

 give all necessary details it only remains for 

 me to make some general comments. 



The plan recommended by the Govern- 

 ment experts as shown in Fig. 1 is good ex- 

 cept in the matter of expense. If the colo- 

 nies are strong enough, and have sufficient 



Fig. 1. — ^Tliis is the plan recommended by Dr. E. F. Phillips and by a good many other beekeepers for 

 wintering bees outdoors in single-walled hives. It contemplates a winter case made up of panels which are 

 held together by means of screws or nails at the corners. This case should provide six inches of packing 

 around the sides and ends, at least four inchesj under the bottoms of the hives, and at least ten inches 

 (in top. Dr. Phillips particularly recommends wintering in two story hives. First, a double brood-nest makes 

 a relatively deep wintering space. Second, it provides ample room for breeding in the spring. Third, it 

 provides ample stores. Fourth, no attention is needed during spring. Spring management is practically 

 eliminated. Attention is drawn to the five-hole entrance. All the holes except on© in the center, accordi*ng 

 to Dr. Phillips, should be closed dtTring cold weather. As spring approaches, one or more holes are opened 

 up. The only objection to the plan here shown is the expense of the winter case, this amounting to about 

 .|3.00 per case, and the requirement of at least 45 pounds of stores per colony, which, at 20 cents a pound, 



means $9.00 worth of honey. 



