70 AN EASY METHOD 



perfectly sweet, and* the bottom board is returned to the 

 hive in its proper place. 



There are three principal causes of death among bees in 

 the winter, to wit: want of honey, (not bread, for they 

 never eat it except when in the larva state,) want of air, and 

 freezing. 



Bees sometimes die of starvation, with plenty of honey 

 in the hive at the same time. In cold weather ^ey crowd 

 together in a small compass in order to keep warm ; and 

 then their breath and vapor collect in frost In all parts of 

 the hive, except in the region they occupy. Now, unless 

 the weather moderates, so as to thaw the ice, the bees will 

 be compelled to remain where they are located un^Jl their 

 stores are all consumed th^ are within their reach. One 

 winter we had cold weather ninety-four days in succession, 

 during which Mme the bees could not move from one part 

 of the hive to another. We examined all our hives on the 

 eighty-third day, and on the ninetieth day, we found four 

 swarms dead. We immediately examined for the cause, 

 which was as already stated. We then carried all our hives 

 into a warm room and thawed them, so that the bees could 

 move. ' 



Too much swarming frequently occasions the loss of the 

 old stock the winter following, because their companions are 

 so reduced in numbers that the necessary animal heat can- 

 not be kept up in the hive to prevent them from perishing 

 by cold. All such stocks should be stored in a dry cellar or 

 some warm room, where they can be kept comfortable 

 ^during cold weather. It is believed that bees may be kept 

 through the winter without losing them, if the apiarian is 

 attentive to their wants. If destitute of honey, he will feed 

 them ; if suffering for want of air, (which is the most fre- 

 quent cause of death,) he wUl ventilate them ; if freezing, 



