WINTERING BEES. 117 



How TO Winter Bees in Controllable Hives. 



Bees are wintered in Controllable Hives on their 

 summer stands, by my plan, without loss, by main- 

 taining an eVen temperature in the brood section, 

 and disposing of all moisture or perspiration thrown 

 oft' by the bees in cold weather. I have never lost 

 a swarm of bees in Controllable Hives in the win- 

 ter. I attempt to winter none, except strong, 

 healthy stocks. I have no mouldy combs, no sour 

 honey. The combs are kept perfectly dry, and the 

 hives in a healthy condition. I do not lose a tea- 

 cupful of bees, on the average, from each of my 

 hives during the winter. 



To winter in Controllable Hives, prepare as fol- 

 lows : At the commencement of steady cold 

 weather, which, in the New England States, is 

 usually near the close of November, put the bees in 

 condition to winter by entirely closing the upper 

 entrance to the hive, and the lower one shut up 

 about one-half.* Take out the box frames at the 

 sides of the brood section, and put the movable 

 partitions in place. Remove the boxes and feeder, 

 or honey board (whichever is in place,) from over 

 the brood section. Place the ventilator (described 

 elsewhere) over the brood section, so the lower 



*To secure a slight upward draught of air, to carry off the moisture 

 arising from the hees, make a hole a half-inch in diameter in front and 

 rear of the cap, In the center, close tD the top or roof hoards. (And 

 here let me say, the roof boards, or boards covering the cap, should 

 project about an inch, as they can be more firmly nailed, and make bet- 

 ter joints; for driving rains must not be allowed to penetrate to the 

 inside of the hive.) The inside of each hole should be covered with 

 wire cloth, to keep out insects, etc. 



