WINTER PREPARATION 157 



ing, preparing the colony to go into winter 

 quarters in proper condition. 



Given the above described conditions, 

 young queens, plenty of good stores, and a large 

 cluster of young bees, a colony will stand a 

 surprising amount of cold weather and come 

 through in fine shape. 



Protection for Winter. — As to whether 

 outdoor or cellar wintering is best is not a mat- 

 ter of agreement among beekeepers. Both 

 methods are generally practiced and there are 

 those who feel very sure that one is best while 

 others are equally sure the other will bring bet- 

 ter results. Bees can be safely wintered by 

 either method if proper attention is given to 

 see that conditions are right. As stated at the 

 beginning of the chapter, the writer would rec- 

 ommend double-walled hives, under ordinary 

 conditions, to the person who has but a few col- 

 onies to care for. They would hardly be suf- 

 ficient protection for the extreme north, but 



