WINTERING. 827 
by active exercise ; and, as those on the outside of the clus- 
ter become chilled, they are replaced by others. Besides, 
the fanning of wings, which causes this roar, sends the warm 
air from the top of the cluster to the bottom of the hive— 
thus warming the bees placed at the lowest part of the 
cluster; and these, if not too chilled, take advantage of a 
warmer day, to climb above the mass, and get honey in 
their turn. 
When the weather is very cold, their humming can often 
be heard outside of the hive; and, if the hive be jarred, at 
any time, there comes a responsive murmur, which is longer 
or shorter in duration, and lower or higher in tone, accord- 
ing to the strength of the colony. 
622. As all muscular exertion requires food to supply 
the waste of the system, the more quiet bees can be kept, 
the less they willeat. It is, therefore, highly important to 
preserve them as far as possible, in Winter, from every 
degree, either of heat or cold, which w.ll arouse them to 
great activity. 
When all the food which is in their reach is consumed, 
they will starve, if the temperature is too cold to allow them 
to move their cluster to the parts of the combs which con- 
tain honey; hence, if the central combs of the hive are not 
well stored with honey, they should be exchanged for such 
as are, so that, when the cold compels the bees to recede 
from the outer combs, they may cluster among their 
stores. In districts where bees gather but little honey in 
the Fall, such precautions, in cold climates, will be spe- 
cially needed, as, often, after breeding is over, their central 
combs will be almost empty. 
623. It is impossible to say how much honey will be 
needed to carry a colony safely through the Winter. Much 
will depend on the way in which they are wintered, whether 
in the open air or in special depositories, where they are 
protected against the undue excitement caused by sudden 
