384 Causes of Winter Losses, 



CHAPTER XVIIL 

 Wintering Bees. 



This is a subject, of course, of paramount importance to 

 the apiarist of the Northern States, as this is the rock on 

 which some of even the most successful have split. Yet I 

 come fearlessly to consider this question, as from all the 

 multitude of disasters I see no occasion for discourage- 

 ment. If the problem of successful wintering has not been 

 solved already, it surely will be, and that speedily. So 

 important an interest was never yet vanquished by misfor- 

 tune, and there is no reason to think that history is now 

 going to be reversed. Of course this chapter has no prac- 

 tical value to the apiarists of the South and Pacific Coast. 

 There safe wintering is assured, except as the careless bee- 

 keeper-permits starvation. 



THE CAUSES OF DISASTROUS WINTERING. 



I fully believe, and to no branch of this subject have I 

 given more thought, study, and observation, that all the 

 losses may be traced to either unwholesome food, extremes 

 of temperature, or protracted cold. I know from actual 

 and wide-spread observation, that the severe loss of 1870 

 and 1871 was attended in this part of Michigan with 

 unsuitable honey in the hive. The previous autumn was 

 unprecedentedly dry. Flowers were rare, and storing was 

 largely from insect secretion, and consequently the stores 

 were unwholesome. I tasted of honey from many hives 

 only to find it nauseating. 



Extremes of heat and cold are also detrimental to the 

 bees. If the temperature of the hive becomes too high, 

 the bees become restless, eat more than they ought, and if 

 confined to their hives are distended with their feces, become 

 diseased, besmear their comb and hives, and die. If when 

 they become thus disturbed, they could have a purifying 

 flight, all would be well. Again, if the temperature become 

 extremely low, the bees to keep up the animal heat must 



