ESSENTIALS OF A GOOD CELLAR 255 



as a combination of dampness and a cold cellar result fatally 

 for the bees; 50° is probably better than either. 



Ventilation also seems to be essential, especially to rid the 

 cellar of the surplus moisture. Good results are frequently re- 

 ported from cellars closed up tight if the walls are porous and 

 permit the escape of moisture readily. In general an even tem- 

 perature and a dry cellar are supposed to be best. It is quite 

 possible that it will eventually be demonstrated that a tempera- 

 ture somewhat above the regulation 45° is better if other con- 

 ditions are satisfactory. At present without a basis on which to 

 state positively we can accept the conditions generally agreed 

 upon as best. (See Figs. 118 and 119.) 



In this connection we can do no better than to describe a 

 cellar which gives uniformly good results and in which the 

 owner has never lost a colony that went into winter quarters 

 in normal condition. The cellar is that used by Mr. Snyder, 

 of the Iowa Bee-keeper's Association, who describes it as 

 follows : 



The cellar was constructed especially for the purpose and is under the 

 sliop and honey house and large enough to accommodate 200 colonies as 

 he stores tliem. 



First a stone wall about sixteen inches through was built. This wall 

 was lined with hollow tile on which a coat of common plaster was applied. 

 The cellar is ventilated by a chimney built from the ground and with an 

 opening at the bottom and also at the ceiling. The chimney extends 

 through the ceiling to the usual height above the roof. In addition to the 

 chimney ventilator which is in the center of one end of the cellar, there 

 are two. three-inch ventilators in the corners at the opposite end. This 

 supplies sufficient ventilation for cold weather. In mild weather the door 

 of the bee cellar is left open. This opens into another cellar room used for 

 storage purposes, all being kept in total darkness. 



Tlie bottom of the cellar is tile drained, the tile having outlet in the 

 creek about a quarter of a mile distant. However, there is no direct outlet 

 from the cellar, the tile being laid about three inches below the surface. 



The ceiling is constructed of ciglit-inch joist covered with tar building 

 paper and overlaid with patent metal lath on which a coat of plaster is 

 applied. Overhead of course there is the floor of the workshop. 



Most bee-keepers favor brick walls as they are dryer than 

 cement or stone as a rule. If too many colonies are placed in 

 a cellar for the size of the space available, there is a tendency 



