1G4 FOOD AND WARMTH. 



as the proper management of bees in winter, or rather 

 the preparation to be made for winter — plenty of 

 bees, plenty of food, and warm covering, and no more 

 space than is necessary. Attend to these great 

 principles, and then leave the bees in winter to them- 

 selves. 



But if it is necessary thus to keep in all the heat 

 possible, perhaps you will ask, ' Shall we close up the 

 entrance, and thus shut out all cold air.-" Oh, no ! 

 most certainly not. By doing that you would most 

 assuredly kill all the bees ; you may contract the 

 size of the entrance, but some amount of fresh 

 air is absolutely necessary. It is indeed by help 

 of fresh air, or the oxygen, as it is termed, in the 

 air, that the animal heat is sustained. The flame of 

 a candle put under a glass case very soon goes out 

 for want of fresh air. Shut off all air from the largest 

 fire, and it will soon cease to burn. And it is the 

 same with ourselves : we cannot live if shut up in 

 a small space without any fresh air. And even in a 

 large room, if it is crowded with people, the windows 

 must be open, or there must be ventilation in some 

 way; and, to a great extent, it is the same with the 

 bees. They must have some ventilation even in 

 winter. 



In crowded rooms it is best, because all heated air 

 rises, to open windows high up in the walls rather 

 than those low down ; and in some circumstances 

 hives require the same principle carried out. But, 

 generally speaking, the woollen coverings put over 

 the frames will answer every purpose. 



