WINTEIUNG. 327 



by active exercise ; and, as those on the outside of the clus- 

 ter bee line chillod, they are replaced by others. Besides, 

 the fanning of wings, which causes this roar, sends the warm 

 air from the top of the cluster to the bottom of the hive — 

 thus warming the bees placed at the lowest part of the 

 cluster ; and these, if not too chilled, take advantage of a 

 warmer day, to climb above the mass, and get honey in 

 their turn. 



When the weather is very cold, their humming can often 

 be heard outside of the hive ; and, if the hive be jarred, at 

 any time, there comes a responsive murmur, which is longer 

 or shorter in dura ion, and lower or higher in tone, accord- 

 ing to the strength of the colony. 



622. As all muscular exertion requires food to supply 

 the waste of the system, the more quiet bee-i can be ktpt, 

 the less they will eat. It is, therefore, highly important to 

 preserve them as far as possible, in Winter, from every 

 degree, either of heat or cold, which w.ll arouse them to 

 great activity. 



When all the food which is in their reach is consumed, 

 they will starve, if the temperature is too cold to allow them 

 to move their cluster to the parts of the combs which con- 

 tain honey ; hence, if the central < ombs of the hive are not 

 well stored with honey, they should be exchanged for such 

 as are, so that, when the cold compels the bees to recede 

 from the outer combs, they may cluster among their 

 stores. In districts where bees gather but little honey in 

 the Fall, such precautions, in cold climates, will be spe- 

 cially needed, as, often, after breeding- is over, their central 

 combs will be almost empty. 



633. It is impossible to say how much honey will be 

 needed to carry a colony safely through the Winter. Much 

 will depend on the way in which they are wintered, whether 

 in the open air or in special depositories, where they are 

 protected against the undue excitement caused by sudden 



