IN-DOOR WINTERING. 361 



they consume of their stores, and the more vigorous and num- 

 erous wilj they be in the Spring. I have, therefore, constructed 

 a special Winter repository for my bees, near my apiary. It is 

 weather-boarded both outside and within, and the intervening 

 space is filled with hay or tan, etc.; the ground and plat en- 

 closed is dug out to the depth of three or four feet, so as to 

 secure a more moderate and equitable temperature. When my 

 hives are placed in this depository, and the door locked, the 

 darkness, uniform temperature, and entire repose the bees enjoy, 

 enable them to pass the Winter securely. I usually place here 

 my weaker colonies, and those whose hives are not made of 

 the warmest materials, and they always do well. If such a 

 structure is to be partly underground, a very dry site must 

 be selected for it." 



In Russia, bee-keepers dig a well from twenty to twenty- 

 five feet deep, and six or eight feet wide. The hives, which 

 there, are hollow trees, are then piled horizontally upon one 

 another, like cord-wood, with one end open. The well is filled 

 to within six feet of the top, and a shed, made of straw, is 

 built above. The bees are left there during the five or six 

 months of Winter. But Russia is fast adopting the methods 

 of advanced countries and they are beginning to use our hives 

 and winter bees much on our plan. 



In some other countries, they are kept in caves, abandoned 

 mines, or any under-ground place near at hand. 



646. In the North of the United States, and in Canada, 

 they are generally wintered in cellars, and remain there in 

 quiet from November till March or April, sometimes till May. 



In all localities, where the bees cannot fly at least once a 

 month, in the Winter, it is best to follow this method of 

 wintering. 



As Dzierzon says, a dry cellar is the best, although bees 

 can be wintered in a damp cellar, but with more danger of 

 loss, especially if ^he food is not of the best. 



647. In the first place, the bees should be moved to the 

 cellar, just after they have had a day's fiight, at the opening 

 of cold weather. It is better to put them in a little early than 



