296 WINTERING BEES. 



proper distances, one above another, upon which to Bet 

 the hives. If the cellar is very dry, some hives may be 

 set on a board on the floor. 



The bees should be allowed the benefit of flying out on 

 all warm days at the end of the season, and should not 

 be put into winter quarters until winter is positively at 

 hand. Also, it is much better to remove them on a cool 

 than on a warm day. It is an advantage, but not all-im- 

 portant, that each hive occupies its old stand when set 

 out in the spring. To this end, they should be numbered, 

 and when brought out, they can be placed where they 

 are to remain. 



If the box hives are to be housed, piace sticks an inch 

 square (readily made by splitting a board of the right 

 length), upon the shelves, and set the hives upon them, 

 either inverted, -or with ample ventilation at the top. 



When the combs can be vertical, the best position is on 

 the side. When all the permanent shelves are full, put 

 in temporary ones until one hundred hives are deposited, 

 which are as many as should be kept in one apartment. 

 The movable comb hives should be set on sticks about 

 half as large. But few of the holes need be open in the 

 honey board, for ventilation, as the air can pass over the 

 top of all the frames. When over one hundred are put 

 in one room, they are apt to make the air too warm, in 

 consequence of which the bees become uneasy, and some 

 get out and are lost. If the least ray of light is admitted, 

 they will go to it, and lose their hive. A small number — less 

 than thirty hives — will not keep up the requisite warmth, 

 and there is more need of confining the animal heat 

 to each hive ; this retains more of the moisture. It is 

 better to reduce, the size of the room in proportion to the 

 number. A few in a large room wUl not do as well, as 



