58 



XVI.— WINTERING. 



Successful wintering largely depends upon stocks being strong 

 and having a sufficient food supply ; then 

 125. Preparing fore, when supers have been removed, ih 

 Stocks for Winter bee-keeper should examine each hive car< 

 fully, to ascertain its condition wit 

 respect to strength of stock, brood, and store of honey. Tt 

 strength of the stock can be best ascertained by examining : 

 when few bees are flying. This may be done without disturl 

 ing the bees, by removing the quilt and looking down on tt 

 frames from above, without withdrawing them. The perio 

 at which supering should cease will vary from the middle of Jul 

 to the end of September according to the district. At th: 

 period a strong stock which has been well managed shoul 

 have sufficient bees to cover both sides of eight frames. ] 

 the stock is strong, covering both sides of eight frames, an 

 that breeding is going on satisfactorily, and sufficient honey i 

 coming in for breeding, it is only necessary to see that thei 

 are sufficient vacant cells for the queen to lay in ; if there ai 

 not, add a frame of empty drawn comb (90) , or if that is n< 

 available, a frame of foundation. If less than eight, but nc 

 less than six frames are covered with bees on both sidei 

 stimulative feeding should be resorted to (106), at the sarc 

 time taking care, as above advised, to provide laying space fc 

 the queen. If less than six frames are covered with bees o 

 both sides, the stock should be united to another weak stocl 

 or strengthened by adding driven bees to it, or by giving it 

 frame of capped brood from a strong stock : if these methoc 

 cannot be adopted, give stimulative feeding and keep th 

 brood nest very warm to assist hatching. By carrying out th 

 foregoing instructions, the stocks should Be brought up t 

 proper strength for wintering before the 1st October in lat 

 districts, and earlier in early districts. Then, select eigl 

 frames on which to winter the stock, choosing those whic 

 contain most honey ; if the frames in the hive are not we 

 filled, the number may be made up by selecting well-fiUe 

 frames that can be spared from other hives, or by using som 

 that have been removed when spreading brood during th 

 summer ; if such frames are slightly mildewed, they may b 

 used without fear of harm ensuing, but any cells of cappe 

 dead brood which they contain should be uncapped. Th 

 stock should have 20 pounds of honey for wintering, to insur 

 which the eight frames on which it is to winter should weig! 

 25 pounds gross ; if they fall short of this weight, the stoc! 

 should be rapidly fed on the eight frames selected for wintei 

 ing, until these frames are brought up to the full weight of 2 

 pounds (104). If sufficient frames containing honey cannc 

 be provided, one or more frames of empty drawn comb shouL 

 be inserted before feeding. 



