ADVANCED BEE CULTURE. 57 



Sfeade for Bee^ 



HALL we shade our bees? If so, why, when, how ? Some 



bee-keepers do not shade their hives; others do. Why do 



they do it ? Is it really necessary ? Do they thereby 



secure more honey ? These are pertinent questions to 



which it is difi&cult to gfive definite answers, but about which it is 



advisable to know all that /s known. 



The temperature of a colony of bees in summer, when brood is 

 being reared, is neaiiy 100 degrees. Until the temperature in the 

 sun reaches this point, shade is no benefit; rather it is an injury, as 

 it deprives the bees of the warmth of the sun at a time when it would 

 be of some benefit. When the temperature in the sun goes above 

 100 degrees, and begins to climb up to 110 degrees, 120 degrees, 130 

 degrees, then the effort on the part of the bees is to lower instead of 

 raise the temperature of the hive. Crowds of bees stand at the 

 entrance of the hive, and with their wings create strong, ventilating 

 currents of air. It has been asserted that the bees leave the combs 

 of honey well-nigh forsaken when the temperature is very high; the 

 reason given being that the combs can be kept cooler when not 

 covered with bees. 1 have also read and been told that bees would 

 "hang out," that is, cluster upon the outside of the hive, instead of 

 working, if their hives were left unshaded during a hot day; that 

 they are compelled to thus desert their hives to save their combs 

 from destruction. I have always kept my hives shaded during hot 

 weather, hence cannot speak from experience upon this point; but, 

 if it is true, then it would seem that shade, in very hot weather, is 

 both desirable and profitable. This much I have noticed, that weak 

 colonies, nuclei, for instance, seldom make any demonstration of 

 discomfort from heat, even when left unshaded, while strong colo- 



