the hives. What has been said about the desirability of spring 

 protection for cellar wintered bees will apply with equal force to 

 colonies wintered outside. 



TAR PAPER CASES. 



One of the most common plans for outdoor wintering, and one 

 which brings very good results in ordinary winters, is the tar 

 paper case. To make this case two or three corn cobs are laid 

 on top of the frames and a cotton cloth spread over them. An 

 empty super is then placed on the hive and filled with dry leaves. 

 The cover is placed on the super and the whole covered with sev- 

 eral layers of newspapers. A large sheet of tar paper is then 

 placed over all and folded around the hive and fastened as shown 

 in the illustration on the cover. The hives shown in the picture 

 are without the super of leaves. 



The winter of 1911-1912 caused such heavy losses among out- 

 door wintered colonies that but few advocates of outdoor win- 

 tering are now to be found. This was a very unusual winter, 

 with unusually low temperatures and unprecedented long pe- 

 riods between days warm enough for a flight. Investigation 

 shows that a large per cent of the loss in this extraordinary sea- 

 son was due to poor stores and careless preparation for winter. 

 The two preceding winters had been so favorable that many 

 bee keepers were inclined to take a risk rather than go to the 

 trouble of careful preparation. The losses have not been without 

 compensation, for the result will not soon be forgotten, and 

 Iowa bees will receive better attention at the proper time for 

 many years to come. 



Out door wintering is very successful in the hands of some 

 bee keepers. In fact, a few have practiced no other method for 

 many years, and get uniformly good results. With outdoor win- 

 tering, however, it is very essential that great care be used to see 

 that the stores are sufficient in quantity and of good quality. 



One of the principal arguments in favor of cellar wintering- 

 is the saving in stores and that is considerable. In general, it 

 is estimated that bees will consume from a third to a half more 

 honey when wintered outside. This is offset by earlier brood 

 rearing and a generally stronger condition where properly win- 

 tered outside. 



THE DADANT METHOD. 



The Dadants are extensively engaged in honey production at 

 Hamilton, Illinois, directly across the river from Keokuk. They 

 use a large hive and cover the brood frames with a straw mat. 

 Woven wire is tacked to the front of the hive and then made to 

 encircle it on both sides and the back. The space thus provided 

 is filled with leaves. The front is provided with no protection. 



