58 
frames. A suitable passage can be made by using a small piece 
of the branch of an alder about ? inch in thickness, from which 
the pith has been removed, leaving a tunnel for the bees. If 
soft candy is provided over the frames (127), an artificial 
passage is unnecessary. The canvas quilt should be left on as 
usual, and over it should be spread a few woollen coverings 
or, a still better plan is to make a bag of cheap material, of 
such shape and dimensions that when partially filled with cork- 
dust, it may be laid as a cushion of about two inches thick 
entirely covering the frames and fitting closely to the body-box. 
Such a covering is admirably adapted for the purpose, as it 
retains the warmth in the hive, while permitting excess of 
moisture to escape readily. Another good method is to place 
over the quilt which lies on the frames a covering made from a 
piece of cheap red-edged tarred felt, which costs about 24d. per 
yard: this should be beaten or rubbed with the hands to make 
it somewhat porous. It is thoroughly efficient as a bee covering, 
and is a good moth preventive. 
To secure a hive for winter, the lift should be inverted and 
: slipped down over the body-box ; the porch 
180. Securing if movable, being transferred to the lift. 
abn The doors should be closed to about four 
. to six inches apart; the floor board ven- 
tilator should be closed. Hives in very exposed positions should 
be so secured by wire or rope as to prevent their being blown 
over (69). The less a hive is disturbed during the winter the 
better. If the roof leaks it should be covered with waterproof 
material: a cheap, simple, and efficacious method of treating 
roofs to render them waterproof is the following: apply a thick 
coat of paint to the roof, and while the paint is wet, cover it with 
strong, cheap calico, which should be pressed down on the paint, 
so that it shall fit closely to the wood. When dry, apply another 
coat of paint. On a fine day in February, the doors should be 
opened widely, and the front part of the floor board should be 
cleared of dead bees, &c., with a piece of bent wire, care being 
exercised not to touch the frames. 
XVII. UNITING. 
Strong stocks are always more profitable than weak stocks ; 
the bee-keeper should therefore at all times 
131. Reasons for endeavour to avoid having weak stocks. 
Uniting. Hence it will sometimes be necessary to 
unite two swarms, or two weak stocks, or 
to unite a weak stock to a stronger one. Uniting is also prac- 
tised when it is desired to unite a queenless stock (145) to one 
that has a queen, and when in the autumn it is desired to reduce 
the number of stocks in the apiary. All uniting operations 
should, when circumstances permit, be performed when bees 
have ceased flying for the day. 
