THE AMERICAN BEE-KEEPER. 



168 



ing, there was mine as to the wisdom 

 of packing bees in the spring after 

 they are set out of the winter quarters 

 to protect them from the chill and 

 cold of spring right up to the warm 

 weather. The importance of this mat- 

 ter is too much overlooked by bee- 

 keepers. None but the very strongest 

 colonies will come out in good shape 

 for the honey flow without strong pro- 

 tection. There is also the risk of 

 chilled brood and dead brood, which 

 may result in foul brood. I know 

 from experience that it pays well to 

 pack bees in spring, especially those 

 colonies to be run for the light comb 

 honey, which you must be ready to 

 take when it comes or be left. Saw- 

 dust, shavings, chaff and even straw 

 will answer the purpose, filled in be- 

 tween an outside skeleton and the 

 hive, wirh a liberal supply on top in 

 the absence of quilts or cushions. Of 

 course, where chaff hives or double- 

 wall hives are used, the lateral pack- 

 ing is not required only in exceptional 

 cases. The question of packing for 

 double-wall hives received a pretty 

 thorough sifting by the meeting. The 

 consensus arrived at was, that cork 

 shavings were best, while it has been 

 accidentally discovered by one of the 

 members- that wood ashes were as 

 good as anything. If they are they 

 will soon become popular for that pur- 

 pose, as being so cheap and generally 

 available. 



Selby, Ontario. 



Clubbing List. 



We will send the American Bee Keeper with 



Putting Bees Into Winter 

 Quarters. 



BY. M. H. DE WITT. 



It is usually during this month that 

 the severe weather of the season com- 

 mences. When it once gets cold and 

 has the appearance of remaining so, 

 then it is time to put the bees into win- 

 ter quarters, and not before. It is a 

 mistake to put them into special win- 

 ter repositories when the first tempor- 

 ary cold weather is experienced, as 

 they soon get uneasy if it becomes 

 warm ; and it is advantageous to have 

 them fly as late as possible. When 

 putting bees in the bee house or cellar, 

 they should be prepared just the same 

 as those out of doors, except the pack- 

 ing. Use carpet or duck for covering 

 the frames. If any stands' are short 

 of stores yet, fill an empty comb with 

 syrup and place it in the hive. This 

 can be done in pretty cold weather 

 and disturbs the bees but little. The 

 colonies left on the summer stand 

 should have some kind of a wind 

 break. If possible the apiary should 

 be provided with a high, tight board 

 Fence. In removing bees from their 

 summer stands they should be handled 

 carefully, and the weather must be 

 cold enough to keep them from flying. 

 The temperature of the room to which 

 they are consigned should be kept, as 

 near as possible, at 40° Fahr. The 

 bee-keeper may now rest easy if he 

 feels, sure that his bees have plenty of 

 stores and are well protected from the 

 severe cold winds and weather. I 

 would say to all, don't neglect your 

 bees and think that you can supply 

 them with stores later on, for just as 

 sure as you do they will run short of 

 stores and starve when it is so cold 

 you can do nothing with them. Anotk- 



