IN—DOOR WINTERING. 349 ° 
efliciently, when they are shut. A slight quantity of pure 
air is néeded at all times. 
As we have said above, when the warmer days of Spring 
come, with alternates of cold, the bees will breed a little, 
and if this is not begun too early, it will be a help to them 
rather than an injury, for they will become strong, all 
the sooner, after being taken out. 
650. A small number of colonies can be wintered in any 
ordinary cellar, quite safely, when their food is of good 
quality, and the temperature does not vary too much, but 
they must be quiet and in the dark. 
G51. If the temperature of the cellar is too low, or too 
high, or if the food is unhealthy, the bees will have a large 
amount of fecal accumulation in their intestines, and will 
show their anxiety by coming out of the hive in clusters, 
during the latter part of their confinement. If, in addition 
to this, the cellar is damp, the comb will mould; and when 
taken out, some colonies may desert (407, 663) their 
hives. 
652. Great loss may be incurred in replacing, upon their 
Summer stands, the colonies which have been kept in spe- 
cial depositories. Unless the day when they are put out is 
very favorable; many will be lost when they fly to discharge 
their feces. In movable-frame hives, this risk can be greatly 
diminished, by removing the cover from the frames, and 
allowing the sun to shine directly upon the bees; this will 
warm them up so quickly, that they will all discharge their 
feeces in a very short time.* 
* The following is an extract from Mr. Langstroth’s journal: 
‘+ Jan, 8lst, 1857.—Removed the upper cover, exposing the bees to the full 
heat of the sun, the thermometer being 30° in the shade, and the atmosphere 
calm, The hive standing on the sunny side of the house, the bees quickly 
took wing and discharged their feces. 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.’’ 
