14 



Pollen Substitutes. 



Whether we have yet found a substitute for pollen is a question. 

 Some authorities advise placing bran, rye flour, pea flour and other 

 similar materials where bees can gather them in the early spring. 

 No objection or particular advantage in the practice has been ob- 

 served. 



Wintering. 



One of the most formidable obstacles in the industry is wintering. 

 Among those who practice the "let-alone" method of beekeeping, 

 the mortality in winter and early spring is high. Unfortunately, no 

 accurate studies of the best conditions for wintering have been made, 

 yet failure may frequently be attributed to starvation, too small 

 colonies as a result of late swarms, old queens which fail to survive 

 or build up the colony in spring, or to the lack of a large population 

 of young bees reared in the fall, which are to survive as workers 

 the following spring. 



Bees pass the winter in what may b" termed a winter nest. They 

 do not hibernate in the strict sense of the word, but cluster densely 

 on the combs, maintain a relatively high and constant temperature, 

 and consume honey for the purpose of heat production. Several 

 months are sometimes passed without their leaving the hive, but 

 upon the first calm warm day of spring, when the mercury reaches 

 45° to 50° F., they break clusters and fly forth, relieving themselves 

 of excrement which they have retained rather than deposit in the 

 hive. Having usually ceased brood rearing in October or early 

 November, this is resumed in the spring, sometimes as early as 

 February and usually in March. 



Based on an understanding of normal^ conditions and behavior, 

 it is evident that certain precautions by the beekeeper can materially 

 further successful wintering. Perhaps the most important are 

 plenty of provisions naturally arranged or stored early in the fall, 

 and accessible to the cluster in winter; a large population of young, 

 vigorous bees, reared late, which survive to become workers the fol- 

 lowing spring; a young prolific queen, preferably of the previous 

 summer's rearing; and rational outward protection to the hive. 



The methods of feeding are already discussed. This should not 

 be delayed later than the first of October, to allow the natural and 

 proper storage of the provisions. According to the size of the 

 colony is the winter consumption. On the average, 35 pounds are 

 consumed by colonies wintered out of doors, and bees, stores and 

 hive fixtures should weigh approximately 50 pounds in the fall. 

 Colonies light in naturally gathered provisions should be provided 

 a balance of thick, fall-feeding, sugar syrup. Cellar-wintered col- 

 onies consume less than half as much provisions. 



