WINTEEINQ BEES. 3J:3 



posed, from undue accumulation of fcBcos. Dysentery is one of 

 the direct consequences of water-dearth, the bees, in dire need of 

 ■water, consuming honey immoderately, and taking cold by roam- 

 ing about the combs. 



'• On the nth of February, we examined a number of colonies, 

 on whose bottom-boards we noticed particles of candied honey, and 

 found that in all of them, the sealed honey had been opened in 

 various points, and that breeding had entirely ceased. The colo- 

 nies that we had supplied with water on discovering that they 

 needed it, contained healthy brood, in every stage of development. 



'■'■ In March and April, the rapidly increasing amount of brood 

 causes an increased demand for water ; and when the thermome- 

 ter is as low as 45°, bees maybe seen carrying it in at noon, even 

 on windy days, although many are sure to perish from cold. In 

 these months, in 1856, during a protracted period of unfavorable 

 •weather, we gave all our bees water, and they remained at -home 

 in quiet, whilst those of other Apiaries were flying briskly in search 

 of water. At the beginning of May, our hives were crowded with 

 bees ; whilst the colonies of our neighbors were mostly weak. 



" The consumption of water in March and April, in a populous 

 colony, is very great, and in 1856, one hundred stocks required 

 eleven Berlin quarts per week, to keep on breeding uninterruptedly. 

 In Springs where the bees can fly safely almost every day, the 

 want of water will not be felt. 



" The loss of bees by water-dearth, is the result of dimate'. and 

 no form of hive, or mode of wintering, can furnish'an absolutely 

 efficient security against it. The colonies may be put in yard- 

 long lager-hives, or in towering standards, in shapeless gums, in 

 neat straw hives, or in well lined Dzierzons : in wood, or straw, 

 or clay domiciles ; or may dwell in hollow trees, or clefts of rocks ; 

 they may remain unshielded on their Summer stands; be protected 

 by a covering of pine shatters or chaff; or be stored in dark cham- 

 bers or vaults — still, water-dearth may occur, here and there, 

 earlier or later, and more or less injuriously ; because it is counter 

 to the original instincts of the bee to dwell in Northern climates, 

 confined to its habitation for months. 



'• If vrater is regularly given to the bees, from the middle of 



