110 WINTERING BEES. 
there should come a very warm spell of weather, which 
would bring the bees out, be sure to clear away the snow 
so they need not be kept back by it. But it will take an ex- 
ceedingly warm day in winter to rouse the bees from their 
dormant state in the Controllable Hive and bring them out 
for a turn in the open air. If the air is warm enough to 
induce them to come out, it is alvays warm enough for 
them to fly briskly. In this respect there is a great con- 
trast between my hive and others. With other hives, an 
hour’s warm sun will bring out the bees in winter, when 
the air is cold, and the consequence is, they fall into the 
snow, and perish by hundreds. In this way stocks are 
often reduced in numbers until all are lost. The dysen- 
tery generally attacks such stocks (brought on by the 
sudden changes in temperature in the hive.) and hastens 
their destruction, by causing them to leave the hive, 
when they would not do so, if in a healthy condition. 
Bees when wintered in Controllable Hives as directed, 
will come out in the spring, strong in numbers, and ina 
healthy condition—in great contrast to the weak and 
diseased stocks which have been wintered in the ordinary 
manner. I have perfect confidence in the method of 
wintering here recommended, for I have had it in practi- 
cal use for many years, and have never lost a stock, not- 
withstanding some winters have been very destructive to 
bees in this section, some, who practice the old methods, 
losing their entire stocks. I learn from my correspon- 
dents in all parts of the United States that there isa 
