METHODS OF WINTERING 239 



receptacle partly filled with shavings, chips or the like to enable 

 the bees to get the water without danger of drowning should be 

 provided. ( See Chapter IV. ) 



Protection in Spring. — Many bee-keepers complain that after 

 they bring their bees through the winter in the cellar they lose 

 a large part of them through the spring, the stock dwindling 

 after being placed on the summer stands. Several things might 

 be the cause of this condition. Too many old bees, or colonies 

 that went into the cellar weak, or lack of suitable protection 

 might be responsible. It is important not only to place the bees 

 in a carefully sheltered position after they are removed from 

 the cellar, but in addition to provide some protection in the way 

 of packing. 



Over large areas the principal flow is from white clover, 

 which is of comparatively short duration. It is only the colonies 

 that are strong in bees at the beginning of the flow that will 

 return substantial profits to their owners. 



Strong Colonies Also Essential. — To the above general prin- 

 ciples we must add another — strong colonies. While it is some- 

 times possible to winter a weak colony or even a nucleus, it is 

 seldom worth while. If a colony is weak at the beginning of 

 winter by the time spring arrives there is not likely to be enough 

 bees left to build up without the addition of brood or bees from a 

 stronger colony. It would be wiser to unite several weak colon- 

 ies to make one vigorous one than to bother with the weaklings. 



A strong colony of bees will require less honey to winter 

 successfully than a small one. The source of heat is the food con- 

 sumed and the larger the cluster the more animal heat will be 

 retained. 



METHODS OF WINTERING 



In considering the various methods of wintering here pre- 

 sented the reader will bear in mind that some methods suited 

 to the latitude of St. Louis would not be safe for northern lati- 

 tudes. Chaff hives, paper cases, and similar methods which are 

 entirely satisfactory for Southern Missouri and southward are 



