FIFTY YEARS AMONG THE BEES 



37 



well prepared for winter, and to be sure of being with them 

 through the winter. 



Srs of the 40 colonies were lost in the preceding winter, 

 and the remaining 34 had given 1600 pounds of honey, mostly 

 extracted, and had been increased to 99. 



Fig. S — Carrying tviili Itope. 



IMPIiOVED WINTERING. 



The advantage of being home through the winter was ap- 

 parent, for in the next four yeai-s the avei'age loss was only 2 

 per cent, while for the preceding four winters it had been 

 nine times as great. A new factor, however, had come in, to 

 which pait of the change was to be attributed. There was 

 chance enougli to ventilate the cellar, for two chimneys ran 



