WINTERING. 



95 



perfectly rain tight by adopting the plan recommended for the ehees* 

 boxes (page 10). The case being put on, shaving, rag, hay, or straw is 

 stuffed in between it and the hive, giving a protective covering not to 

 be beaten; over this the roof is placed. For the summer the case is 

 inverted, four little blocks fitted on the inside, enabling it by two 

 wooden bars, to stand as in Fig. 60. Under the roof comes the super 

 while the hive is admirably screened from the sun, and the alighting board 

 from the rain, and near swarming time when the bees are clustering- 

 outside, they receive that shelter which many more costly covers could 

 not afford. 



As we proceed the necessity for preventing, as far as practicable, 

 the escape of heat through the hive walls will become more apparent. 

 We have still to consider the question of ventilation, i.e., the manage- 

 ment of the mouth and the top of the hive. All advanced apiculturists. 



Pie. 60. Hay-rick Coveb (Shmmek Foeii), 



are now of opinion that ventilation is required during winter, and for 

 this two reasons exist : 1st. Bees are continually charging the air about 

 them with noxious gases, which need removal. 2nd. That ventilation 

 is the only natural means of keeping the hive in a dry condition. 



The bees, whilst hybernating, maintain a temperature in the centre 

 of their cluster not lower than 65°, even in the most severe weather. 

 Honey is the material from a change in which, in the body of the bee, 

 heat is produced, as hinted at page 61. Saccharine substances consist 

 of two gases, oxygen and hydrogen, united in the proportions in which 

 they exist in water in combination with carbon, a substance almost 

 identical with charcoal; and although it would not be scientifically 

 exact to say that honey consists of carbon and water, it is sufficiently so 

 for a popular explanation. The bees cluster together, and in propor- 

 tion as it may be needful for them to evolve heat they elongate and 



