386 Rules for Wintering. 



We thus are sure that our stores are good and sui'table. 

 Often it pays to do this as we get enough for the extracted 

 honey to pay well for the sii^ar and our time and trouble. 

 If desired this may be fed as previously explained, which 

 should be done so early that all will be capped during the 

 warm days of October. 



The bees should be able to pass over or through the 

 combs. Hill's device — bent pieces placed above the frames 

 so as to raise the cloth cover — will permit the first, while 

 small holes cut through the combs will enable the bees to 

 pass from one comb to another without having to pass 

 around. In a good cellar it is not necessary to do more 

 at most than to so arrange that the bees can pass over the 

 frames. I used to cut holes, but do so no more. This 

 preparatory work I always do early in October, when 1 

 extract all uncapped honey, take out all frames after I have 

 given each colony the thirty pounds, by weight, of honey, 

 confine the space with a division board, cover with the 

 quilt and chaff, and then leave undisturbed till the cold of 

 November calls for further care. I prefer that the combs 

 have no pollen in them, and that they be so full of honey 

 that six or eight will be enough. Pollen usually does no 

 harm, though sometimes it is injurious. If the bees can 

 fly often or if kept in a uniform temperature at from 40° to 

 45" F., the pollen will do no harm. The combs may well be 

 one-half inch apart. If the bees have been neglected, and 

 mid-winter finds them destitute of stores, then they should 

 not be fed liquid honey, though this has been done with 

 success, but either the Good or Viallon or some other solid 

 candy should be placed on the frames just above the cluster. 

 Or we may run the candy into a frame and hang it in the 

 hive. 



SECURE LATE BREEDING. 



Keep the bees breedingtill the first of September. Except 

 m years of excessive drouth, this will occur without extra 

 care. Failure may result from the presence of worthless 

 queens. Any queens which seem not to be prolific should 

 be superseded whenever the fact becomes evident. / regard 

 this as most important. Y&vi know how much is lost by 



