SAFE WINTERING 103 



two strips of wood, about two itiches apart. These 

 strips should be three-eighths of an inch thick, 

 and of a sufficient length to go right across the 

 centre of the frames. Their use is to give the 

 bees a passage over the frame tops, enabling them 



to travel from comb to comb in search of food 



f 



without leaving the warm atmosphere which pre- 

 vails at the top ofi the brood-chamber. This 

 done, pack all down as warmly as possible with 

 good thick quilts. Finally secure the) roofs from 

 high winds, and if necessary place a strip of per- 

 forated zinc across all entrances to exclude mice. 

 Be sure that the hives are waterproof, as damp is 

 fatal to bees. 



If these instructions are thoroughly carried out, 

 winter losses will become a thing of the past, and 

 what was formerly a game of chance will be. 

 practically a certainty. 



In connection with this chapter a word may be 

 given as to the proper care of surplus standard 

 and shallow combs during the winter months. 

 These combs, which are most valuable stock, must 

 be safely, stored away, either in supers or in boxes 

 specially made for the purpose. In any case they 

 must be secured against the attacks of mice, and 

 it is necessary that they be kept dry. The greatest 

 enemy is the wax moth, the larvae of which do 

 much damage to disused combs. Their depreda- 

 tions may be easily, seen; and when they are 

 present the combs should be well fumigated with 



