466 bee-keeper's calendar. 



directions on pages 326 and 434. By the last of October, 

 the glass hives should be thoroughly packed, between the 

 outside cases and the glass, with cotton, or any other warm 

 material. 



November. — I take for granted that all necessary prepara- 

 tions for Winter, have, in our Northern States, been com- 

 pleted by the last of the previous month. If, however, the 

 bee-keeper has been prevented from examining his stocks, 

 he may, on warm days, in November, safely perform all 

 necessary operations, the feeding with liquid honey, excepted. 

 The entrances to the hives must now be secured against 

 mice, and it will be well to give the roofs a new coat of 

 paint. If the hives are to be exposed to the sun, at all sea- 

 sons, no color is so good as a pure white ; but if they are 

 set under the shade of trees, (p. 301,) a dark color will do 

 them no harm, in the hottest weather, while early in the 

 season, before the leaves are expanded, by absorbing instead 

 of reflecting the heat, it will prove highly advantageous to 

 the bees. 



By the latter part of November, in our Northern States, 

 Winter usually sets in, and colonies which are to be kept in a 

 special winter depository, should be properly housed. The 

 later in the season that the bees are able to fly out and dis- 

 charge their fseces, the better. The bee-keeper must regu- 

 late the time of housing his bees by the season and climate, 

 being careful not to take them in, until cold weather appears 

 to be fairly established, nor to leave them out too late. The 

 necessity for the exercise of so much good judgment in this 

 matter, is a serious objection to the use of winter quarters, 

 by any except those who have considerable experience in 

 their management. If colonies are carried in too early, and 

 a spell of quite warm weather succeeds the first cold, it 

 will sometimes be advisable to replace them on their sum- 

 mer stands. 



