MANAGING BEES. 59 



their breath and vapor collect in frost, in all 

 parts of the hive, except in the region they 

 occupy. Now, unless the weather moderates, 

 so as to thaw the ice, the bees will be com- 

 pelled to remain where they are located until 

 their stores are all consumed that are within 

 their reach. One winter we had cold weath- 

 er ninety-four days in succession, during 

 which time the bees could not move from one 

 part of the hive to another. 1 examined all 

 my hives on the eighty-third day, and on the 

 ninetieth day I found four swarms dead. I 

 immediately examined for the cause, which 

 was as already stated. 1 then carried all my 

 hives into a warm room and thawed them, so 

 that the bees could move. Some hives that 

 1 supposed were dead, revived ; some few 

 swarms I found nearly destitute of stores, 

 which I carried into the cellar, turned them 

 bottom up, cut out a few of the combs, so as 

 to make room to lay in combs filled with hon- 

 ey, which served as good feeders. 



