392 Wintering in Cellar. 



temperature can be arranged in the bee house, which should 

 stand from 43" to 46°, and in no case should it fall lower 

 than 42°. There should be tight-fitting triple doors, which 

 will make two dead-air spaces. 



"When the bee house is filled, and during warm weather 

 in the spring — the bees should not be let out on the sum- 

 mer stands until the first pollen appears (which is gen- 

 erally from the tag alder or black willow) — it is necessary 

 that the temperature of the room be kept at the wintering 

 standpoint. This may be done by means of an ice-box or 

 refrigerator, filled with ice or snow, and suspended at top 

 of room in close proximity to the ceiling. The bottom of 

 the box must be so constructed that while the warm air 

 may be allowed to pass up through the refrigerator, the 

 drippings will not drop to the floor and create moisture. 

 This latter may be prevented by means of a tube running 

 from the box down through the floor." The rules for remov- 

 ing and storing in the house are the same as those for cel- 

 lar. From expense and difficulty in maintaining a uniform 

 temperature, I think the house less desirable than the cellar. 



WINTERING IN CELLAR. 



North of the latitude of Central, and I think we may 

 say Southern, Ohio, I think a good cellar is not only the 

 safest but the best place in which to winter bees. I have 

 kept our college bees for many years in such a cellar with 

 no loss. The great point is to have perfect control of the 

 temperature. This must be kept between 38° F. and 50° 

 F., and should never vary suddenly. It were best if it 

 were always at 45° F. With a cellar all is under ground, 

 and we are thus fortified against the effects of our sudden 

 changes of temperature. The sub-earth ventilator as de- 

 scribed above, though not necessary, as the experience of 

 many has fully proved, is a help. It is still better if the 

 vertical shaft or pipe connect with a stove above which is 

 much used in winter. This creates a draft and as the air 

 is brought under ground through the long sub-earth pipe 

 the air is warmed. The pipe should connect with the stove- 

 pipe above at quite a heighi above the stove or the stove 

 may smoke. I have found here at the college that we get 



