WINTERING. 157 



being affected by outside changes of temperature. Of 

 the quality of the queen enough has already been said 

 to show the necessity for each stock being headed by 

 one not more than two years of age. 



The Stoees. 



To prevent unnecessary activity during the winter, 

 we must ensure that the food upon which the bees 

 are to exist is not only of good quality but sealed. 

 Stocks in skeps should weigh at least 25 lbs., or 20 lbs. 

 if the combs are new ; but it is best not to limit a 

 stock to the exact amount of food that will be required 

 to carry it safely through the winter. Twelve to fifteen 

 pounds, according to the strength of the colony, will 

 suffice for this, but the latter would serve better as the 

 minimum amount of stores. 



As stores are dravni upon largely by a weak stock 

 when a low temperature prevails, it is good policy to 

 unite weak stocks in the autumn, and thus ensure a 

 higher temperature being maintained, without a con- 

 tinual consumption of the stores. A colony properly 

 prepared for winter will seldom consume on an average 

 more than If oz. of food per day until breeding com- 

 mences, when the amount is at once considerably 

 increased. 



Stocks in bar-frame hives should be much larger 

 than those in skeps, and a larger amount of stores 

 must be allowed. The minimum weight should be 

 20 lbs., and this may be calculated without difficulty 

 by considering an evenly filled standard frame to con- 

 tain 4:f to 5 lbs. Four or five frames would thus supply 



