WHERE KEPT DURING WINTER. 845 



The advantages claimed for this system are that 

 bees winter without serious loss of numbers, and with 

 a less consumption of stores than if left on the sum- 

 mer stand. I have tried the plan, and have found 

 on taking them out in the spring, that there was but 

 little loss in numbers, and slight diminution of stores. 

 But this supposed gain, though gratifying for the 

 time, never proved permanent. The large numbers 

 kept in the same room for several weeks, produces a 

 sameness of scent in all, so that the members of one 

 hive cannot be distinguished by those of another. 

 This renders the strong hive liable to attract bees 

 from the weak ones, leaving a portion of the brood 

 to perish. It also causes the comb to become more 

 or less moldy or rotten, and proves a permanent dam- 

 age to the hive. Bees wintered out of doors, being 

 vigorous and ever on the alert for a defenceless col- 

 ony, quickly scent out those removed from the repos- 

 itory, and attack and rob them. 



This practice probably originated foul brood, and 

 will serve to perpetuate it ; for in the district where 

 this system has been most practiced, this disease 

 most abounds. In fact, I am not aware that the dis- 

 ease-has appeared in any other localities except when 

 carrying bees or honey from the infected districts. 

 As far as I can learn, the disease only exists in New 

 York, New Jersey, and some of the New England 

 States, whence it has been brought to California, to 

 the great damage of many apiarists and novices in 

 the latter State. 

 15* 



