132 AUSTRALASIAN BEE MANUAL 



is a tair quantity for winter and early spring stores. 

 The honey will be distributed through a number of 

 frames, but by calculating on the basis that a frame when 

 fairly full will contain about 61bs.; it will be easy to 

 estimate the total quantity. It is best to feed earlier in 

 the autumn if there is any risk of a shortage of a winter 

 supply. 



SPARE TOP BOXES. 



All top boxes not previously removed and that are not 

 at this time occupied by bees should be taken off. My 

 own experience has been that colonies in real good 

 condition are strong enough in May to need one deep 

 super on the brood chamber, and so long as the frames 

 are well covered with mats I have found them winter all 

 right in this way, until the bees are reduced in number 

 sufficiently to be all located in the brood chamber. 



EXTRA MATS AND COVERS. 



A good supply of extra mats should be on hand during 

 the winter to take the place of any that may get damp. 

 An occasional inspection of the mats should be made, 

 especially after a spell of wet weather. A few spare 

 coA^ers are always handy for taking the places of any 

 that may leak and need repairing. Sun-cracks are 

 liable to occur and cause leakage. For repairing these 

 I have found nothing better than giving them a thick 

 coat of paint, and immediately after laying on the wet 

 paint, a covering of cheese-cloth and painting over this ; 

 it will keep the cover rain-proof for many years. 



WINTER VEXTILATIOX. 



It is a serious mistake to greatly diminish the entrance 

 to the hives in winter under the supposition that the 

 natural warmth of the bees is quite conserved. After a 

 series of very exhaustive experiments extending over 

 some months, sometimes with seventeen thermometers 

 in the hive at one time, which I, in conjunction with 



