HOW TO WINTER BEES 153 



the cleated ends of the hive. Mr. Boardman has a 

 delightful device, which is a carrier in the shape of a 

 push-cart with two wheels. A board just large enough 

 to set the hive upon with rope handles at either side 

 serves admirably. 



WHEN TO PUT BEES IN THE CELLAR 



This should be done as soon as steady cold weather 

 comes on. In this northern climate the colonies 

 should be ready in October, for the appointed time 

 for putting them in the cellar is likely to occur 

 between the first and fifteenth of November. If put 

 in too soon and the weather is warm they become 

 uneasy; they should be put in during a dry day so 

 that the hives will not be dampened by rain or fog. 



WHEN TO TAKE BEES OUT OF THE CELLAR 



This is decided somewhat by the bees themselves; 

 if they awaken and push out and try to escape in 

 great numbers, it is a sign that they had best be put 

 out as soon as it can be safely done. Mr. Root makes 

 the practice of putting his bees out of the cellar in the 

 middle of a warm day in midwinter, so that they 

 may have a cleansing flight, and then puts them 

 back in the cellar that night; which shows that a 

 merciful man is good to his bees. However, some 

 other bee-keepers think that this taking them out in 

 midwinter is fraught with danger. 



In a climate like that of New York it is hardly safe 

 to take the hives from the cellar before the last 

 of April or the first of May. The general rule is to 



