WINTERING BEES. 249 



and lash the bark with cord. For the purpose nothing could be 

 better than a clothes-line (such as is usually procurable for about 

 4d.), and for a shilling or two length enough could be obtained 

 to do a great many hives. Where the cover is only an inch or so 

 beyond the top of the hive, water dribbles under. For gable- 

 roofed hives a cover of bagging which has received a coat of paint 

 or tar will do. Cornsacks coated in this way would last for several 

 winters. 



Internal dampness must be avoided, and floor-boards kept 

 ■clean. These are better renewed during the middle part of warm 

 days. By no means attempt to winter weak stocks. Far better 

 carry one strong colony through the winter than half a dozen weak 

 ones; in proportion, they consume far less food. 



But, above all, do not be avaricious, and -rob your bees of the 

 last ounce of honey, and then expect them to pull through the 

 -winter. 



