18 



In either case the entrances should be contracted to from one to four inches, 

 according to the strength of the colony, covers properly adjusted, combs of honey 

 given to colonies which are light, bottom boards which are much dirty changed, 

 and other such adjustments made at once. By morning the bees will have been 

 quietly clustered and will not leave the hives to any extent until the weather 

 warms up and favorable flying conditions prevail. This usually cwmes gradually 

 and prevents the excitement and drifting which occur under the unfavorable con- 

 ditions previously described. 



No particular ceremony is needed in carrying hives out, particularly at night. 

 The only precaution is to work quickly and avoid disturbance as far as possible. 

 Do not allow unnecessary light in the cellar, and do not jar the hives. If there 

 are many hives there should be two or three persons to carry. Let each man pick 

 up a hive in his arms in a comfortable position, carry it gently and quickly to 

 its stand, set it down and come back for another. If the carrying out is being 

 done in daylight, it is best for one to attend to the cellar door, standing right there 

 to open and close as the others pass in and out, thus avoiding unnecessary light and 

 disturbance in the cellar. Even then if the morning is inclined to be warm, the 

 bees in the cellar may become restless, and in that case the door should^ be left 

 closed for some time after every period of fifteen or twenty minutes carrying out, 

 while the bees in the cellar become quiet and the operators are adjusting entrances, 

 covers, etc., on the hives which are out. 



In case cellar conditions have been very unfavorable, so that these ordinary 

 precautions will not keep the bees from flying from the hives or coming out to 

 sting the operator while they are being carried out, the entrances can be closed 

 with a cloth, wet with cold water, and some smoke blown into the hive to quiet 

 the bees. This use of a wet entrance closer and smoker is advised also for timid 

 persons; but under normal conditions of bees and beekeepers is quite unnecessary. 



It is 'well known that bees, in their first flight, discharge the fseces which has 

 been retained in the intestines during the winter, and care should be taken that 

 nothing in the way of clothing or the like be left exposed in the apiary or neigh- 

 Sorhood.- It is very annoying to a neighbor who has .put out a fresh washing- on 

 the line to have it stained by the droppings of bees, so as to make rewashiiig 

 necessary. Where there are near neighbors they should be warned of this danger. 

 It has been one of the most serious causes of trouble between beekeepers and their 

 neighbors. 



In conclusion, I would emphasize the importance of favorable cellar con- 

 ditions for wintering, then leaving the hives in just about as long as the bees can 

 be kept quiet or until near the opening of soft maple bloom'. Then, in carrying 

 out, disturb them as little as possible, pack them up snug and warm, see that they 

 have STifiicient stores and let them alone for 'some time; 



Speing Pkotection- of Cellae-'Winteeed Bees. 



Once upon a time there were two farmers living side by side. Both had equally 

 large farms, with heavy crops of grain. The one had an adequate' staff of har- 

 vesters ready when the grain began to ripen, and saved his wholfe crop. The other 

 did not think much about securing help until the first field was ready tb cut. Then 

 he began scurrying about getting a man here and another there; so that by the 

 time the last field was harvested and most of the early grain had spoiled in the 

 field, he was boarding a full gang of harvesters who were no longer needed. 



