216 : A Modern Bee-Farm 
with its 6 to 10 inches below the stock hive offers every 
possible advantage in respect of disposing of the whole of 
the calamities previously mentioned as to bad ventilation. 
Where bees are wintered on Standard frames in long 
hives, whether the brood nest is placed at the back or front 
of the hive, the dummy next the open space must stand 
clear of the stde walls, just as the frame does. Those who 
have followed the advice sometimes given, to the effect 
that such dummy must be tight fitting and have an 
entrance of only two inches or less cut out of the bottom 
edge, will have reason to appreciate the loose fitting board. 
When keeping bees in a loft, Mr. Cowan raised the 
crown board of his hives with small pieces of wood, such 
as match ends, as well as giving the same space between 
the floor and body of the hive. Perfect ventilation. was in 
this manner secured without draught, being in a large 
closed space; but the same plan could not be thought of 
with hives standing in the open. 
Hives such as the W.B.C., with the stock chamber within 
a loose outer case, may have a shallow (empty) chamber 
under the stock hive; as also should those hives that are 
wintered in the cellar. In the latter case this additional 
rim should have the sides freely ventilated. If this 
ventilated rim is not used then the floors are left off and 
the hives, like bricks, resting on each other’s edges. 
Really there is nothing to be done to the bees during 
the winter months, and all the foregoing provisions have to 
be settled before the cold weather arrives. Cold, with 
judicious ventilation, and clear space under the frames, a 
good cover, plenty of stores, and stocks in good heart, 
can do no harm. 
Excessive Packing is Useless ; 
and may even be detrimental in Winter as well as in 
