WINTEEIKG BEES. 293 



understand the force or pertinency of the reasoning. 

 How candied honey can make any diiferenoe when the 

 bees do not eat it at all, I am unable to perceive. "When 

 a portion of honey is candied in the cells, the bees eat 

 only that which is liquid, rejecting the rest ; would they 

 do more than take the liquid portion, were it all in that 

 state ? I doubt if there any disadvantages incident to 

 the use of candied honey further than the waste. When 

 the weather is warm enough, or the bees have increased 

 enough to generate sufficient heat, it all liquifies — the 

 bees eat it, and no harm arises. I think it quite likely 

 that a very dry atmosphere would be detrimental to a 

 colony of bees, as it is unnatural. It is probably best to 

 avoid all extremes. 



colonies, in all slages from the egg to those just emerging from tlio cells, on their 

 arrival at Sacramento." 



Mr. Harbison publishes a letter in his work, applying directly to this subject. 

 St. JoHHsviLLE, N. Y., January i, 1860. 



Mn. Harbison, Dear Sir.— In regard to the necessity of giving bees water 

 during winter, I cannot say at present that my views are in accordance with 

 those set forth by Mr. Langstrolh on pages 342, 343, and 346 of his last edition. 

 I fear that his remarks, and the translation from the German, by Mr. Wagner, 

 will give very many inexperienced bee-keepers much unrfecessaiy trouble. A 

 constant supervision is indicated as necessary to safely take the bees through the 

 winter. I do not remember as any plan was given to keep up a supply without 

 attention. As a dearth of water is represented as the cause of much loss, of 

 course those who take this theory for fact and expect success, must have some 

 trouble to provide for these wants. 



Not dreaming that water was essential to the health of bees in winter, I have 

 for the last twenty-five years used my utmost endeavors to get rid oiall moisture 

 about the hive, and I have succeeded as effectually as any one. When put in 

 the house, I open the holes in the top of the hive, and then invert it on sticks ; 

 a constant circulation of air through the hive carries with it all the moisture 

 generated, the combs remain perfectly dry, and as far as I can discover, the 

 bees are perfectly healthy. Instead of meeting a general loss with this method, 

 I have wintered hundreds of stocks with a loss of less than two per cent. Why 

 others, who take no pains comparatively, to ventilale, should suffer so much 

 more loss than I do, I cannot comprehend ;— that is, with this theory. 



Many years ago, I ieeaiae fully satisfied that the loss of nine-tenths of all the 

 good coloiiies in winter, was a direct consequence of confining this moisture to 

 the hive. The experience of every subsequent year gives additional evidence 

 in favor of this idea. 



Respecting the pari; cles of candied honey found on (he bottom-board, as In- 



