142 THE BEE keeper's MANUAL. 



without in the least perplexing the bees, any quantity of air 

 may be admitted, which the necessities of the bees, under 

 any possible circumstances, may require. It may be made 

 full 18 inches in length, but as a general rule, in Summer, 

 in a large colony, it need not exceed six inches : while in 

 Spring and Fall, two or three inches will suffice. In Win- 

 ter, it should be entirely closed ; unless in latitudes so warm, 

 that even with the Protector, the bees cannot be kept quiet. 

 The bee-keeper should never forget that it is almost certain 

 destruction to a colony, to confine them when they wish to 

 fly out. The precautions requisite to prevent robbing, will be 

 subsequently described. In Northern latitudes, in the months 

 of April and May, 1 prefer to keep the ventilators entirely 

 closed ; as the air of the Protector, at such times, like the 

 air of a cellar in Spring, is uncomfortably cool, and has a 

 tendency to interfere with breeding. 



Note. — Since the remarks on the neglect of ventilation were put in 

 type, my attention has been called by Hon. M. P. Wilder, of Dorches- 

 chester, to an article on the same subject, in the Nov. number of the 

 Horticulturist, for 1850, from the pen of the lamented Downing. It 

 seems to have been written shortly after his return from Europe, and 

 when he must have been most deeply impressed by the woful contrast, 

 in point of physical health between the women of America and Eu- 

 rope. While he speaks in just and therefore glowing terms of the 

 virtues of our countrywomen, he says : " But in the signs of physi- 

 cal health and all that constitutes the outward aspect of the men and 

 women of the United States, our countrymen and especially country- 

 women, compare most unfavorably with all but the absolutely starv- 

 ing classes on the other side of the Atlantic." Close stoves he has 

 most appropriately styled " little demons," and impure air " The fa- 

 vorite poison of America." His article concludes as follows : 



" Pale countrymen and countrywomen rouse yourselves ! Consider 

 that God has given, us an atmosphere of pure health-giving air 45 

 miles high, and vmtilute your houses'' 



