8 WINTERING BEES 



require to eat. It is desirable to have the bees, so far as 

 possible, enter a quiet state of sleep, or semi-hibernation, 

 that practically amounts to a condition of suspended anima- 

 tion. But an extremely cold spell will make it necessary for 

 this cluster to unfold and consume its stores in order to keep 

 up the temperature. When, therefore, a colony is so poorly 

 protected that it has to overeat in order to keep warm, the 

 bees will become distended, and dysentery or purging is 

 almost sure to follow. This occurring in mid-winter or early 

 spring means the death of the colony, as there is no cure for 

 it but warm weather. 



A hive having double walls well packed with a warm cush- 

 ion on top, and a good cover, makes about as good a winter 

 home as it is possible to construct. A tray containing chaff, 

 planing-mill shavings, or forest leaves resting under the 

 telescope cover keeps the top warm. A large cushion may 

 be used instead but it is not so good. 



The extra packing and double walls not only save in the 

 consumption of stores, but eliminate to a great extent winter 

 losses. 



"WINTER CASES FOE SINGLE-WALLED HIVES. 



Because double-walled hives are somewhat expensive, 

 many beekeepers start with single-thickness hives, intending 

 to winter, perhaps, indoors. How shall they be prepared 

 and yet give as good results, practically, as can be obtained 

 from the more expensive double-thickness hives 1 Very good 

 outside winter cases are obtainable from -supply manufac- 

 turers, large enough to telescope down over the hive. The 

 cover of the single-walled hive, if it projects over, as most 

 of them do, should be removed, and what is known as a thin 

 super-cover — that is, a thin board of the same width and 

 length as the hive, substituted. Several folds of newspaper, 

 old carpeting, or any other suitable material, should be laid 

 crosswise and lengthwise over the top of the hive. Enough 

 of them should be put on so that, when the winter case is 

 put on, it will telescope over, crowding the folds of news- 

 paper or other packing material neatly around the inner 



