WINTERING. 243 
‘the season was one of the very best, as is usually the case 
after the other extreme. 
In the State of Vermont 1869 was a very favorable 
season. In 1870, we purchased thirty colonies there, and 
moved them to our own apiary at St. Johnsville, N. Y. 
Ten of these we used for the trade, and devoted the re- 
mainder to surplus, of which they gave us more than the 
170 swarms which we had wintered. I mention this 
merely to illustrate the contrast in results from bees that 
winter well, and those that are weak and feeble in spring. 
Inall manipulations at this season, great care should be 
observed not to injure the queen, as it is essential to suc- 
cess that each colony begin the winter with a perfect, pro- 
lific queen. Holes should be made with a knife through 
each comb for the bees to pass through, from one to 
another, without being obliged to go around the outside. 
This is especially necessary if they are to be wintered 
out-of-doors. Thimbles of tin, about */, inch in diame- 
ter, placed in the comb, are useful for this purpose. 
Where the Quinby hive with the large case is used, the 
frames may be prepared for wintering in-doors, by plae- 
ing them upon a 
small. bottom- 
board, with aquilt [igs a gi Me 
or mat covering the is ic) Tt in 
entire top, and the ; | 
panels at the sides, i | 
asinfig.98. These | ia Ls 
may be arranged il Se 
early in the fall, and 
left standing in the 
outside case, until 
it is time to put = 
themin. The out- Fig. 98.—FRAMES. PREPARED FOR WINTER. 
side case is left on the summer stand. The quilts 
may be made of unbleached muslin, and should con- 
