WINTEKING BEES 347 



EVItS OF WINTERING IN THE OPEN A,** CONSIDERED. 



As a great many bee-keepers will find it inconven 

 ient, or be unable to avail themselves of my method 

 of wintering, it will be well enough to see how far 

 the evils of the open air, which we have already 

 glanced at, may be successfully avoided. I am told 

 by those who have tried wintering them in straw hives, 

 that in this respect they are much ' safer than those 

 made of boards ; probably the straw will absorb the 

 moisture. But as these hives are more trouble to con- 

 struct, and their shape will prevent the use of suitable 

 boxes for surplus honey, this one advantage will hardly 

 balance the loss. They are said also to be more liable 

 to injury from the moth. We want a hive that will 

 unite advantageously as many points as possible. 



It should be remembered that bees always need air, 

 especially in the cold.* With this in view, we will try 

 to dispose of the vapor or frost. , If the hive is raised 

 sufficient to let it out, it will let in the mice ; to pre- 

 , vent which, it should be raised only about one-fourth 

 of an inch. The hole in the side should be nearly 

 covered with wire cloth to keep out the mice ; but give 

 a passage for the bees; otherwise they collect here, en- 

 deavoring to get out, and remain till chilled, and thi^s 

 perish by hundreds. The boxps on the top must be 

 removed, but not the cap or cover; the holes all 

 opened, to let the vapor pass up into the chamber ; if 

 this is made with perfectly close joints, so that no air 



* It is presumed that the inexperienced will soon learn to distic- 

 gnish such bees as die from old age or natural causes, from thosa 

 affected by the cold. 



