MANUAL OF THE APIARY. 253 



that they have a good flight, and then become quiet. When 

 moved out it is very desirable to brush away all dead bees 

 which is an argument in favor of a movable bottom-board. 

 In moving the hives, great care should be exercised not to 

 jar them. It were better if the bees should not know that 

 they were being moved at all. 



That the moisture may be absorbed, it may be well to 

 cover the bees with a bag filled with chaff, even in the cel- 

 lar, though I doubt if this is necessary. In all cases I would 

 leave a small opening above the bees. With others, I have 

 found that water in a cellar is not injurious, especially if the 

 room be well ventilated. In fact, water which may be con- 

 tained in a cistern or pass through the cellar in tile, with the 

 outlet a little 'higher than the inlet, serves admirably to pre- 

 serve a uniform temperature, which is of the greatest impor- 

 tance. It not only keeps the temperature up in mild winter but 

 down in spring, and saves all expense of sub-earth ventilation. 



I have found it advantageous, when preparing my bees for 

 winter, in October, to contract the chamber by use of a divi- 

 sion board. This is very desirable if wintered out doors, and 

 with frames a foot square is very easily accomplished. By 

 use of 8 frames the space (one cubic foot) is very compact, 

 and serves to economize the heat, not only in winter, but in 

 spring. By thus using a division board with only three 

 frames, I have been very successful in wintering nuclei. We 

 have only to guard against low temperature. 



Perhaps I ought to say that all colonies should be strong 

 in autumn ; but I have said before, never have weak colonies. 

 Yet for fear some have been negligent, I remark that weak 

 colonies should be united in preparing for winter. To do this, 

 - approximate the colonies each day, four or five feet, till they 

 are side by side. Now remove the poorest queen, then smoke 

 thoroughly, sprinkle both colonies with sweetened water 

 scented with essence of peppermint, putting a sufficient number 

 of the best frames and all the bees into one of the hives, and 

 then set this midway between the position of the hives at the 

 commencement of the uniting. The bees will unite peaceably, 

 and make a strong colony. Uniting colonies may pay at 

 other seasons. It may seem rash to some, yet I fully believe 

 that if the above suggestions are carried out in 'full, I may 

 guarantee successful wintering. But if we do lose our bees — 



