166 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Normal, populous and provisioned colonies often do as well, or 

 better, without packing and protecting. A common winter covering 

 is the banking of a hive in straw, leaves or Utter. An outer case, 

 with an air space between it and the hive, has more merit. The air 

 space is sometimes tilled with insulating material, such as cork, shav- 

 ings or chaff, but this practice is frequently considered by practical 

 apiarists as the cause of too much condensation, and, consequently, 

 dampening within the hive during long confinement. It must be 

 recognized that within there is a living cluster of bees, actively 

 transpiring and exhaling, which means that moisture is given off. 

 If there is no escape it collects and runs down over the frames and 

 bees. A cold night may later transform it into frost. The lieat of 

 the sun does not penetrate the excessive packing, thus there is re- 

 frigeration, rather than the desired conservation of heat. To be 

 as near normal, natural conditions as possible, it would appear as 

 though the much practiced and liked method of wraj^ping hives in 

 paper is to be preferred. Newspapers, over which is laid a water- 

 proof building paper (some prefer tar paper), are brought down and 

 cleat ed to the hive in order to prevent blowing off. Through this by 

 day the sun can warm and help dry out the hive, and at night the 

 heat within is retained. If desired, previous to wrapping in paper 

 an empty super may be set over the brood chamber. In this a sack 

 of cork chips, dry leaves or shavings may be placed so as to act 

 as an absorber for excessive moisture. Provision should be made, 

 however, for the free passage of the bees over the tops of the frames 

 and beneath the cushion by laying cleats crosswise on the frame top 

 bars. 



A common ei'ror is a too great contraction of the entrance, which 

 results in retention of moisture and ultimate mildew or mold on the 

 combs. A strong colony should have a full width (14 by Vu inch) 

 entrance. Weaker colonies may profit by proportional contraction 

 by means of blocks. 



In some localities field mice cause considerable damage by building 

 nests in the hives, gnawing and eating combs, pollen and dead bees. 

 Access may easily be prevented by placing, early in the fall, a guard, 

 composed of i/o-inch mesh wire cloth, over the hive enti-ance, through 

 which the bees pass readily. 



Cellar wintering requires precision in care, some equipment and 

 experience. In a large apiary Massachusetts beekeepers will benefit 

 by successfully wintering 95 per cent, to 100 ]-<vr cent, of their 

 colonies. The cost of a cellar will soon be overbalanced by saving in 

 stores consumed and in the loss of colonies sometimes attending 

 outdoor wintering. Limited space and the fact that this paper is 

 intended for smnller beekeepers suggest that details be consulted in 

 " A B C and X Y Z of Bee Culture," Root, 1910. 



