366 WINTERING. 



The following is an extract from Mr. Langstroth's journal: 



"Jan. 31st, 1857. — Removed the upper cover, exposing the 

 bees to the full heat of the sun, the thermometer being 30 de- 

 grees in the shade, and the atmosphere calm. The hive stand- 

 ing on the sunny side of the house, the bees quickly took wing 

 and discharged their faeces. Very few were lost on the snow, 

 and nearly all that alighted on it took wing without being 

 chilled. More bees were lost from other hives which were not 

 opened, as few which left were able to return; while, in the 

 one with the cover removed, the returning bees were able to 

 alight at once among their warm companions. ' ' 



653. If more than one hundred colonies are wintered in 

 the cellar, and it is desired to remove them all the same day, 

 enough help shorld be secured to put them ill on Jieir stands 

 before the warm part of the day is over. It is far better to 

 keep them in the cellar even one week longer, than to take 

 them out when the weather is so cold that they cannot cleanse 

 themselves immediately; to our mind, 45"^ in the shade, is the 

 lowest temperature in which it is best to put bees out. 



654. As bees remember their location, it is important to 

 return each colony to its own place. If this is not done, the 

 confusion may cause some colonies to abandon their hives. 

 Dzierzon also advises placing them on their former stands, as 

 many bees still remember the old spot. 



This, however, is less important in locations where the 

 eonflnement lasts a very long time, as it does in very cold 

 countries. If it is desirable to remove some hives to a new 

 location, a slanting board (603 bis) should be placed in front 

 of the hive. All the bottom boards should be cleaned of dead 

 bees or rubbish, without delay. 



655. If the hives of an apiary are all removed from the 

 cellar on the same day, there will be but little danger of 

 robbing, for they are somewhat bewildered when first brought 

 out; but if some are taken out later than others, the last 

 removed will be in danger, unless some precautions are taken. 



656. If the bees that are wintering in the cellar, are 



