350 



Beekeeping 



Outdoor wintering. 



In warm situations, bees may be left outside all winter 

 with no added protection, for they are often able to with- 

 stand great hardship and may even survive zero weather 

 in a single-walled hive. However, if the energy of the colony 

 is to be properly conserved, they should not be called upon 

 to endure this. Beekeepers are coming to the view that 

 abundant packing is desirable and the tendency seems to be 



FIG. 142. An apiary in winter. 



to use more than was formerly thought necessary. Pack- 

 ing serves to prevent the loss of heat generated by the bees 

 and thereby materially lessens the muscular activity neces- 

 sary. Just as it is practically impossible to leave too much 

 honey in a hive for winter, so it has never been observed that 

 a colony is too thoroughly packed. 



A commendable plan, which has been in use for many 

 years, is to place four colonies close together in a box, two 

 facing east and two facing west, leaving room for four to 

 six inches of planer shavings or dry leaves on all sides and 

 perhaps a foot on top. Sawdust is less desirable than fine 



