322 WINTERING BEES. 



thought to this most important branch of bee-keeping, but 

 thus far without being able, except in one most important 

 particular, available only in my hives, to make any essen- 

 tial improvements on the plans of others. 



The usual mode of wintering bees, is to allow them to 

 remain on their summer stands, and run the risk of all at- 

 mospheric changes ; and perhaps for our Southern and 

 South-Western States, there is no better way. In these 

 States, colonies which are well supplied with bees and hon- 

 ey, are seldom exposed to any degree of cold, severe enough 

 to do them essential barm ; while the attempt to shut them 

 up in any depositary, would often be exceedingly injurious 

 on account of the frequent recurrence of days so warm as 

 to excite the bees, and almost ruin them, if prevented from 

 flying. To those living in regions so highly favored for 

 wintering bees, but few directions will be necessary. Let 

 them be certain that their hives contain bees enough, and 

 food enough, and are guarded against high winds, and the 

 entrance of mice, which are much more destructive than 

 where the winters are colder. 



The bee-keeper in cold climates, will find the Winter to 

 be the greatest destroyer of his bees. If he sees fit to keep 

 his stocks in the open air, he must of course, be satisfied that 

 their resources in food and numbers, are fully adequate to 

 meet the necessities of such a situation. Too much care 

 cannot be taken to shelter the hives, especially their entrances, 

 against the piercing winds, which so powerfully lend to ex- 

 haust their animal heat. Bees, if sheltered from the wind, will 

 endure a temperature low enough to freeze mercury, with- 

 out suffering as much as by exposure to a powerful and long 

 continued current of air, some 40 or 50 degrees warmer. 

 The winter of 1S55-6, will be long remembered, not only 

 for the uncommon degree and duration of its cold, but for 



