ALEXANDER'S WRITINGS ON PRACTICAL BEE CULTURE 89 



usually come through the winter In fine condition, even though they 

 had only two or three pounds of honey In their hives In the fall. 



One winter I fed two barrels of sugar In this way, with good re- 

 sults. 



Those of you who have light colonies to feed In cold weather, please 

 try this method of feeding; and if you are as successful as we have 

 always been you will never again try to make any candy for winter 

 feeding. 



We used to feed some sugar in this way after they were taken from 

 the cellar in the spring, but we now prefer feeding a thin liquid syrup 

 in our feeders for stimulating brood-rearing. 



The colonies we have fed with loaf sugar as above described have 

 always been in the cellar. It might not work quite as well outdoors in 

 very cold weather. Still, if they were well covered up I think it would 

 be a safe way to feed. 



Feeding in any way In cold weather is rather poor bee-keeping; 

 but It can be done as above stated, with but little trouble and seldom 

 any loss. 



March, 1907. 



THE EFFECT OF DISTUEBANCE; HOW TO MANAGE SO THAT THERE WILL BE BUT 

 FEW DEAD BEES ON THE FLOOE. 



It seems rather strange to me that any one should question the 

 importance of perfect quiet In bee-cellars during the long cold months 

 of the northern winters. I think our experiences must be taking di- 

 verging lines. For a long time I have thought that this subject of per- 

 fect quiet was one upon which we could all agree, but it seems there is 

 a difference of opinion even here. 



Now, before entering into an argument I will admit that there are 

 certain times when the conditions are such that a disturbance among 

 the bees is not in the least harmful. For instance, the disturbing in- 

 fluence of the sun on a warm balmy day in early November, even though 

 it causes every bee in the colony to take a fly, can not be considered 

 detrimental; but if on a cool cloudy day we open the hive witii a snap 

 and a jar, using smoke to enable us to replace the light combs with 

 combs of honey, thus breaking up the winter cluster, causing the bees 

 to flll themselves with honey, then certainly we have sown the seed of 

 winter losses and spring dwindling. And, while it might not do our 

 bees much harm to enter their cellar and quietly remove the dead 

 bees from the floor, I do think it would be a great mistake to take off 

 the bottom-boards and tops with a sudden jar, and then carry the hive- 

 bodies to another part of the cellar, using smoke to keep the bees in, 

 causing them to gorge themselves with honey. Then carefully sliding 

 a dish holding a pound of warm honey under the cluster of a colony, 

 and withdrawing from the cellar as soon as possible, might disturb them 

 but little, as but comparatively few bees would be engaged in taking up 



