248 MANUAL OF THE APIARY. 



exhale much moisture, which may settle and freeze on the 

 outer combs about the cluster, preventing the bees from getting 

 the needed food, and thus in this case both dysentery and 

 starvation confront the bees. That able and far-seeing 

 apiarist the lamented M. Quinby, was one of the first to 

 discover this fact ; and here as elsewhere gave advice that if 

 heeded, would have saved great loss and sore disappointment. 



I have little doubt, in fact I know from actual investigation, 

 that in the past severe winters, those bees which under con- 

 finement have 'been subject to severe extremes, are the ones 

 that have invariably perished. Had the bees been kept in a 

 uniform temperature ranging from 35° to 45° F., the record 

 would have been materially changed. 



Excessive moisture, too, especially in cases of protracted 

 cold, is always to be avoided. Bees, like all other animals, 

 are constantly giving off moisture, which of course will be 

 accelerated if the bees become disturbed, and are thus led to 

 consume more food. This moisture not only acts as explained 

 above, but also induces fungous growths. The mouldy comb is 

 not wholesome, though it may never cause death. Hence 

 another necessity of sufficient warmth to drive this moisture 

 from the hive and some means to absorb it without opening 

 the hive above and permitting a current, whigh will disturb 

 the bees, and cause the greater consumption of honey. 



THE REQUISITE TO SAFE WINTERING GOOD FOOD. 



To winter safely, then, demands that the bees have thirty 

 pounds by weight not guess — I have known three cases when 

 guessing meant starvation — of good capped honey (coffee A 

 sugar is just as good). If desired this may be fed as previ- 

 ously explained, which should be done so early that all will 

 be capped during the warm days of October. Let us be wary 

 how we trust even crystallized glucose. It might be safe 

 during a warm winter, when the bees would have frequent 

 flights, yet prove disastrous in a cold winter. Let us use it 

 cautiously till its merits are assured. I prefer, too, that some 

 of the comb in the centre of the hive has empty cells, to give 

 a better chance to cluster, and that all the combs have a 

 small hole through the centre, that the bees may pass freely 

 through. This hole may simply be cut with a knife, or a tin 



