304 WINTEEING BEES. 



SIMPLE BOX. 



Entire success can attend those only who select none 

 but the best stocks for winter, and secure for them the 

 following conditions. 



They must have air at all times and must be kept from 

 freezing. The first condition -will secure the last. If the 

 bottom of the hive rests on the board, and there are hut 

 small openings at the hottom, and none at the top, all 

 the moisture condenses on the combs and sides of the 

 hives. A warm day melts it, and every thing in the hive 

 is wet. Sudden severe weather freezes all solid. In this 

 way, even strong^ heavy stocks are lost. A special vent 

 should be opened at the top to correspond with the 

 bottom. A current of air passing through, will carry 

 off the surplus moisture, and keep the combs compar- 

 atively dry, but a great deal of the heat that would be 

 beneficial to the bees will go with it. This moisture is 

 received in the cover of the honey boxes, which may, 

 with benefit, be filled with hay, straw, or cobs to ab- 

 sorb it. 



' If the hive has no upward ventilation it should be 

 raised at least an inch from the board, to give all pos- 

 sible circulation below ; it will keep the lower ends of 

 the combs dry, at least ; but the upper ends may be a 

 little frosty and moldy. 



To prevent the depredations of the mice when so raised, 

 a strip of wire-cloth, a little more than an inch wide, 

 surrounding the hive at the bottom, and held in place by 

 a few tacks, will be efiectual. The hole in the side should 

 be covered with the same. It should be so put on in 

 both places, that the bees may have room to pass at one 

 edge. When thus guarded, the hives may remain under 

 a snow drift for months, without danger from mice. 



