346 WINTERING BEES. 



WINTER MANAGEMENT. 



About the first of December, or as soon as the 

 weather becomes cold, they should be protected from 

 rough winds and fogs. This is best done by entirely 

 closing the entrances in front, and opening the ven- 

 tilators, and admitting air through the ventilating 

 chamber, by which it is greatly modified and freed 

 from moisture before reaching the bees ; light being 

 excluded (by the same means) from entering the 

 hive, and the sun from shining on it. The bees are 

 kept quiet, whereby many are saved. 



It is very important to retain all the animal heat 

 within the hive, whenever the outside temperature is 

 below blood heat. It is* also important to provide for 

 the escape of vitiated air. These objects are best 

 accomplished by opening the upper ventilator and 

 removing the honey-board, putting in its place a cloth 

 and adding old clothes, dry moss, or any substance 

 that is an absorbent of moisture, and at the same 

 time a non-conductor of heat. The chamber is to 

 be partly filled, and the material left loose to allow 

 the air to pass freely through it ; and when saturated 

 with moisture it is to be exchanged for dry. A cloth 

 should also be placed between the glass and the 

 main frames to remain during the winter. Whenever 

 the weather is sufficiently warm to enable the bees to 

 return in safety, they should be permitted to fly out 

 as often as once a week through November, Decem- 

 ber, and a part of January. By the middle of the 

 latter month breeding has commenced to some extent. 



