WINXEBING BEES 41 



3. A low temperature, lower than 40 Fahr., and an excess 

 of dampness, is a very bad combination, and will kill bees 

 almost invariably. A high temperature, above 45, hut little 

 or no ventilation, will cause the bees to be uneasy. If the 

 temperature is above 45 there should always be some ven- 

 tilation. It should be continuous rather than intermittent 

 at night, but better intermittent than no ventilation. 



4. Bees can be wintered in a cellar without much ventila- 

 tion, providing the temperature is held uniformly between 

 43 and 45, but they will winter much better if there is some 

 fresh air. 



5. A cellar may be too dry, for bees in a cellar require a 

 little moisture. If there is no moisture, possibly a wet 

 sponge should be put in front of the entrances of some 

 colonies. 



6. Ideal conditions are, a nearly uniform temperature of 

 45 Fahr., a slight amount of moisture, continuous ventila- 

 tion, and absolute darkness. 



7. A very bad combination is a constantly varying tem- 

 perature that goes down nearly to the freezing-point and 

 then rises sometimes to 50 and 60 degrees. Such a variation 

 is almost sure to cause disastrous losses before spring. 



8. A high temperature, between 60 and 70, requires a 

 great deal more ventilation than a temperature of 45. The 

 higher the thermometer the more fresh air there should be. 

 Too much can not be given when the thermometer shows 65 

 degrees. 



9. The statement has gone out that bees do not need 

 ventilation in a bee cellar. Fair results are sometimes 

 secured with only the air that percolates through the walls 

 when the mercury can be maintained at 45 degrees, or within 

 two or three degrees of it ; but far better results are obtained 

 when there are continuous infusions of fresh air through 

 ventilators or doors or windows. 



10. Occasional disturbance from the beekeepei- entering 

 the cellar does no harm. 



