WINTERING BEES 



TWO METHODS OF WINTE,BING BEES. 



There are two methods in vogue. One is called the indoor 

 and the other the outdoor plan. Which one the reader shall 

 use depends entirely on the locality. Where the winters are 

 extremely cold, with continuous freezing weather prevailing 

 through the cold months of December, January, February, 

 and March, without warm days intervening, the indoor or 

 cellar plan of wintering bees is the one usually followed. 

 However, in such climates some prefer wintering in tene- 

 ment hives where anywhere from four to ten colonies can 

 be accommodated. In other places, say fifty or one hun- 

 dred miles south of the great lakes, or where there is an 

 occasional warm day, say. one or two a month when bee.s 

 may fly, the outdoor method of wintering in double-walled 

 hives, or in single-;walled hives with winter eases, is the plan 

 generally in vogue. Throughout the Southern States the 

 plain single-walled hives are warm enough .without exti:a 

 protection. 



Indoor wintering in the colder localities do.es not require 

 double-walled hives or winter cases; but wheii bees are set 

 out in the spring, some protection should be pjrovided. 



Although cellar wintering requires less exi)ensive hives, 

 it involves more skill — especially so if the cellar or winter 

 repository does not afford all the favorable conditions. 

 Just what these are will be referred to later. While the 

 outdoor method, on the other hand, demands double-walled 

 hives, winter cases, or something to protect the hives on their 

 summer stands, and a shielded location protected from the 



