44 



Wintering 



The biggest problem for the bee-ikeeper in Maine is to carry 

 the colonies safely through the winter. There are other prob- 

 lems to solve which mean success or failure, but fhey are 

 minor ones more within the control of the bee-keeper. 



A confinement of three months without flight is considered 

 a long, hard one in most parts of the country. In northern 

 Maine we cannot hope for less than five months and it some- 

 times means six. In the southern or central part of the State, 

 wlhere outdoor wintering is practiced, in mild winters bees may 

 get suitable weather for one or more flights. 



One must choose for himself which method seems best 

 adapted to his locality and condition. If there is a suitable 

 cellar under the dwelling house which can be used, the expense 

 of this method of wintering will be small. The quiet part of 

 the cellar which can be well ventilated and kept dark at all 

 times during the confinement of the bees and in which the tem- 

 perature can be evenly maintained between forty and fifty 

 degrees F., should be selected. It is best that the room be rat 

 and mouse proof as even one or two of these pests will worry 

 a colony to the point where they will be useless for honey 

 production during the honey season, if not killed outright. I 

 prefer a dry cellar, although some claim good results are 

 obtained from damp cellars. 



Care should be taken that hives, when placed in the cellar, 

 do not come in contact with posts which support the floors 

 above, as the constant jar will be a serious disturbance. 



I am satisfied that pure air contributes largely towards suc- 

 cessful wintering. This must be arranged for without lower- 

 ing the temperature too much. If a chimney reaches to the 

 tottom of the cellar, an opening can be made near the bottom 

 which will draw out the foul air, and the intake can be located 

 so it will not come directly on the hives. As the weather grows 

 warmer at the approadh of spring a larger quantity of fresh 

 air will be needed to keep the bees quiet. Hives should not 

 be closed up with a screen or in anyway, but better be raised 

 from the bottom boards one or two inches, thus insuring a free 

 circulation of air. It is better that the bees wlhich die during 

 the winter crawl outside the hive and die, and occasionally they 



