Requirements for Safe Wintering. 385 
take more food; they are uneasy, exhale much moisture, 
which may settle and freeze on the outer combs about the 
cluster, preventing the bees from getting the needed food, 
and thus in this case both dysentery and starvation confront 
the bees. ‘That able and far-seeing apiarist, the lamented 
M. Quinby, was one of the first to discover this fact; and 
here, as elsewhere, gave advice that if heeded would have 
saved great loss and sore disappointment. I have little 
doubt, in fact I know from actual investigation, that in the 
past severe winters, those bees which under confinement 
have been subject to severe extremes, were the ones that 
invariably perished. Had the bees been kept in a uniform 
temperature, ranging from 40° to 45° F., the record would 
have been materially changed. Bees do not hibernate in 
the sense that other insects do, though if the temperature 
is just right, from 40° to 45° F., they are very quiet and 
eat but little. Yet that they are even then functionally 
active is readily shown by the high independent tempera- 
ture in the hive and their frequent change of position in 
the cluster. 
Excessive moisture, especially in cases of protracted cold, 
is always to be avoided. Bees, like all other animals, are 
constantly giving off moisture, which of course will be 
accelerated if the bees become disturbed and are thus led 
to consume more food. This moisture not only acts as 
explained above, but also induces fungous growths. The 
mouldy comb is not wholesome, though it may never cause 
death. Hence another necessity for sufficient warmth to 
drive thig moisture from the hive, and some means to absorb 
it without opening the hive above and permitting a current, 
which will disturb the bees, and cause the greater consump- 
tion of honey. It is probable that with the proper tem- 
perature moisture will do little harm. 
THE REQUISITE TO SAFE WINTERING—GOOD FOOD. 
To winter safely, then, demands that the bees have thirty 
pounds, by weight not guess—I have known many case¢ 
where guessing meant starvation—of good capped honey 
(granulated sugar is just as good). It is now proved that 
it is even safer to feed a syrup made of granulated sugar. 
p) 
