WINTERING BEES. 107 
A swarm of bees of average size, put in proper con- 
dition for winter, will not freeze; but from this it does 
not follow that a bee is proof against the greatest possible 
degree of cold. When bees are prepared for winter as 
herein directed, they will, as before stated, cluster com- 
pactly together. And as the cold increases, the cluster 
will contract, in accordance with the increasing of the 
cold, and consequently no loss of bees occurs. 
Another great cause of loss in winter is improper ven- 
tilation, or no ventilation at all. Every swarm of 
bees throws off a considerable amount of moisture 
from their bodies. In very cold weather, if the hive 
is not properly ventilated, this moisture collects on 
the combs at the sides and top of the hives in the form 
of frost and ice. In moderate weather this frost and ice 
melts and runs down into the hive, completely saturating 
the bees, and then, if a sudden change to extremely cold 
weather takes place, all are destroyed by freezing; or if 
they chance to survive the winter, the moisture causes 
the combs to mould, the. honey becomes sour, and thin like 
water, rendering it unsuitable food for the bee, and bring- 
ing on diseases—dysentery, bee cholera, foul brood, etc., 
and inashort time the bees are all destroyed. Thousands 
of good swarms are lost every winter by improper man- 
agement, and from being kept in hives not suitable for 
wintering. I give directions for wintering on my plan, 
in Controllable Hives, and I feel confident, if directions 
are carefully followed, that many stocks will be saved 
annually, which otherwise would have perished. 
