160 DR. miller's 



A. The best location for an observation hive is one that is 

 the most convenient for the observer, and at the same time com- 

 fortable for the bees. The most convenient place for you might 

 be in one of the living rooms, with a bee-opening to the window- 

 sill, and that would likely be comfortable for the bees. But there 

 might be objections to that, such as the meddling of children, 

 driving you to the attic, where there is danger of too great heat 

 on the south side. In some attics the north side would be all 

 right; in others still too hot. To decide just the place for you, 

 conditions, and also premises, must be carefully considered. Keep 

 your observation-hive in some secluded corner, very close to the 

 house, where the bees are not in the way, but where you can 

 watch them at any time. 



Q. Do bees winter well in observation-hives? 



A. No; although an observation-hive might be constructed, 

 and perhaps some are, so as to be all right for wintering. 



A good observation-hive consists of a frame or frames super- 

 posed in which every side, every nook and corner is subject to 

 inspection through the glass. It is, therefore, usually not fitted 

 for proper wintering. 



Oilcloth. — Q. Do you think it a good plan to put oilcloth 

 around the hives, leaving an air-space between hive and cloth dur- 

 ing hot weather? 



A. Some protect the supers in this way to prevent the bees 

 from deserting them during cool nights, but it is doubtful if it 

 would be a good thing. Building paper is better. 



Q. My bees are in the cellar, and the oilcloth has not been re- 

 moved from the frames. Had I better remove it now? I do not 

 know that the bees can get around the ends of the frames, which 

 are IJ^ inches from the bottom-board, and the hive is raised one 

 inch. 



A. There is danger that moisture will condense upon the oil- 

 cloth and fall in drops upon the cluster of bees. The colder the 

 cellar the more the danger. If you can remove the oilcloth with- 

 out disturbing the bees much it would be well. 



Outapiaries. — Q. Is there any way to judge how many bees to 

 keep at each apiary? Two years ago I had an apiary of 45 colo- 

 nies; they gathered 22 cases of honey, and they had enough to 

 winter on. A bee-man told me he thought I ought to keep 150 

 colonies here at this apiary. Would I have gotten as much honey, 

 per colony, as I did with the 45? Then there would be the extra 

 honey for the 150 colonies to live on. I would have more to store 

 honey, but they would have to have honey to live. 



