FIFTY YEARS A^^IOXG THE BEES 4S 



that there comes a warm day when the outside tempera- 

 ture runs up to 50 degrees or more, and possibly this 

 may continue more than a day. Such times are hard on 

 the ventilation of the cellar. 



TEMPERATURE AND VEXTILATIOX. 



Please remember that the ventilation of the cellar 

 depends on the difference of the weight of the air in 

 the cellar and the weight of the outside air. Also remem- 

 ber that the difference in weight depends on the diff'er- 

 ence in temperature. Warm air is lighter than cold air. 

 So when the air outside the cellar is colder and heavier 

 than that inside, it forces itself in and crowds up the 

 warm air, precisely in the same way — although not with 

 the same degree of force — precisely in the same way 

 that water would pour into the cellar if a body of water 

 surrounded the cellar. If the water were lighter than the 

 air, no water would flow into the cellar. So long as the 

 outside air is colder than the inside, ventilation continues. 



Suppose, now, that the air in the cellar stands at To 

 or 50 degrees, and that the outside air becomes warmed 

 up to the same temperature. There will be an equilibrium 

 in weight, and there will be no ventilation. The air in 

 the cellar is all the time becoming vitiated by the breath- 

 ing of the bees, and no matter what the ventilation of 

 the hkrs, it can do little good so long as there is no pure 

 air in the cellar. The bees become frantic in their desire 

 for fresh air, and if carried out while in this condition 

 they will rush out of the hive, the excitement becoming 

 so great that soon after being put on their stands whole 

 colonies will swarm. If the cellar has been open all 

 night, they will find little change of air on being carried 

 out, and so will not fly out of the hives for the sake of 

 getting air, but only to take their cleansing flight. 



Of course, there is an understanding with the 

 women-folks about the time the bees are taken out, lest 

 they spot the clothes on the line on a wash-day, but the 

 bees have the right of way, and if there is a clash, the 

 wash-day must be postponed. 



