62 WINTERING BEES 



cording to the size of the colony, than in the North. Those 

 in cold climates are compelled to contract into a very small 

 ball for the purpose of concentrating the animal heat; and 

 while in that condition they are in a semi-dormant state, and 

 consume a comparatively small quantity of food. On the 

 other hand, bees in the South, especially in the warmest por- 

 tions, can 'have access to all parts of the hive, rear more or 

 less brood, and, as a consequence, when natural flora does 

 not secrete nectar they are liable to run short of stores, and 

 starve. To the Southlander let us urge that the greatest 

 danger is starvation, and the next greatest is more or less 

 of robbing during a dearth of honey. Indeed, all things 

 considered, we believe Southern bees require more watching 

 than those of the North. 



In localities like Virginia, Tennessee, and other States ly- 

 ing in about the same latitude, it might be advisable to use 

 double-walled hives; yet we know that the majority of bee- 

 keepers in that latitude winter their bees successfully in 

 single-walled hives; but we believe it is the general practice 

 to place on top of the hive a super containing chaff, leaves, 

 planer-shavings, or some good warm packing-material; 

 moreover, when the colony is not very strong it is advisably 

 to place a chaff division-board on each side of the cluster. 

 In all cases there should not be given a larger cubic capacity 

 than the bees can comfortably fill, spread out as they usually 

 are on a day when the temperature is not below 70 F. 



In Colorado it is customary to winter ' in single-walled 

 hives. A shallow cap or tray containing a few inches of 

 packing is placed on the top of the hive. Very often, for 

 further protection, a sort of shed or roof, with its back to 

 the prevailing winds, is built over a row of hives. The 

 Colorado beekeeeprs are troubled with sandstorms and fierce 

 piercing winds ; while the temperature may go down below 

 zero, it is not likely to remain so for more than a few hours, 

 when one extreme will change to a temperature of 60 or 70 

 r., and the bees flying. For such conditions double-walled 

 hives and an excess of packing-material have been found 

 to be not at all necessary. 



