a 



WINTER. 

 CHATTER XXIII. 



WINTERING BEES. 

 PROTECTION. 



This is a part of my subject which leads directly 

 upon controverted ground. Nothing, perhaps, has 

 given rise to a wider range of opinions and theories 

 than wintering bees in cold latitudes. To get a cor- 

 rect knowledge of the nature of bees, and to fully 

 comprehend their wants and requirements, divests 

 the subject of much of that mystery and darkness 

 that has long enveloped the wintering of bees. I 

 have not time at present to dwell at length on this 

 subject, and therefore will confine myself principally 

 to the mode of wintering bees that has proved the 

 most successful and satisfactory with us, and which 

 appears to be the most in accordance with the nat- 

 ural habits of the boo, and which I can recommend 

 for general practice by all classes of bee-keepers, 

 embracing every degree of latitude, from the warmest 

 to the coldest. 



There are really but two modes of wintering bees 

 in cold latitudes that are worthy of any notice; the 

 first of these is (and I believe the most natural) win- 

 tering them in the open air, being properly protected. 

 The second, is to winter them in close, dark rooms. 

 (268) 



