150 DOMESTIC AOTMALS. 



your bees have sufficient winter provision. Do not be stingy : as we 

 have said before, you will reap the profit of liberality to your bees in the 

 rich return they will make. 



HCDSINe, etc., IN WINTER.— When there is snow upon the ground, 

 the entrances of your hives should be entirely closed, and a screen or 

 shade should be placed before the hive, in case of an accidental sunny 

 day occurring, in order to prevent the bees from encountering even a 

 single deceptive ray. 



Another'danger from which you are imperatively ca.lled upon to pro- 

 tect your bees during winter is dampness. It is to this cause that the 

 loss of many a stock is to be attributed — an internal dampness, gener- 

 ated within the hive itself. This is best remedied by careful ventilation, 

 placing a bell-glass, well "covered with flannel, over the aperture on the 

 top of your hive or box, removing it from time to time, and carefully 

 wiping away from its interior the damp formed by condensed vapor ; 

 this remedy is at once simple and efficacious. 



It will, perhaps, appear to some of our readers a singular experiment, 

 resorted to by some bee-keepers, viz., burying the hives. When this is 

 to be attempted, the hive should be buried in a cool, dry, shady place, 

 among leaves, about a foot deep, and the interment should be performed 

 during the first or second week of November. 



A friend buried a hive of bees in the first week of November, about 

 a foot deep, amongst dry leaves, etc., and disinterred it in the last week of 

 February, when it was just two pounds lighter than it was in November, 

 and the bees in a lively and healthy state. Another person immured a 

 hive of bees in the earth four feet deep, in the second week of Novem- 

 ber, and at the end of January it was removed, and weighed only three 

 ounces less than it did before it was buried. 



The above experiments are worthy of attention; a shed having a 

 northern aspect, and which is as dry as possible, would be a suitable 

 place for further trials. The principal points by which there might be 

 cause for fear of failure, would, as in other cases, be from dampness, 

 disease for want of fresh air, and attacks from vermin, etc. To prevent 

 the former I would recommend that the hives be placed on a long frame 

 of wood, covered by a web of closely worked wire, and raised a few 

 inches from the ground, the ends of which should communicate with 

 and be occasionally opened to the fresh air. A long tube should also be 

 placed from the hole at the top of each hive to the open air of the shed, 

 from the upper end of which any dampness might be condensed by bell- 

 glasses, and conveyed away as already directed. 



Among other obvious mistakes, I may mention the recommendation 

 to give the bees an opportunity of leaving the hive, and going abroad 

 every fine day, already detailed. What advantage is expected to be de- 

 rived from thus permitting the insects to go forth ? They may be sup- 

 posed to want exercise. This is a mistake ; for the bees naturally crowd 

 together, and remain in a sort of torpor during winter, and every thing 

 that could tend to interfere with, or arouse them fi-om it, must, of course, 

 prove contrary to their natural instincts, and consequently, prejudicial. 

 During winter the bees are inactive. 



HIVES AND BOXES. — By having proper hives and boxes for bees, the 



