IN-DOOR WINTERING. 849 



efficiently, when they are shut. A slight quantity of pure 

 air is needed at all times. 



As we have said above, when the warmer days of Spring 

 come, with alternates of cold, the bees will breed a little, 

 and if this is not begun too early, it will be a help to them 

 rather than an injury, for they will become strong, all 

 the sooner, after being taken out. 



650. A small number of colonies can be wintered in any 

 ordinary cellar, quite safely, when their food is of good 

 qualiiy, and the temperature does not vary too much, but 

 they Tnust be quiet and in the dark. 



651. If the temperature of the cellar is too low, or too 

 high, or if the food is unhealthy, the bees will have a large 

 amount of fecal accumulation in their intestines, and will 

 show their anxiety by coming out of the hive in clusters, 

 during the latter part of their confinement. If, in addition 

 to this, the cellar is damp, the comb will mould ; and when 

 taken out, some colonies may desert (407, 663) their 

 hives. 



652. Great loss may be incurred in replacing, upon their 

 Summer stands, the colonies which have been kept in spe- 

 cial depositories. Unless the day when they are put out is 

 very favorable, many will be lost when they fly to discharge 

 their faeces. In movable-frame hives, this risk can be greatly 

 diminished, by removing the cover from the frames, and 

 allowing the sun to shine directly upon the bees ; this will 

 warm them up so quickly, that they will all discharge their 

 faeces in a very short time.* 



• The following is an extract from Mr. Langstroth's journal: 

 '■ Jan. 31st, 1S)7.— Removed the npper cover, exposing the bees to the Ml 

 heat of the snn, the thermometer being 30° in the shade, and the atmosphere 

 calm. The hive standing on the sunny side of the house, the bees quickly 

 took wing and discharged their fieces. Very few were lost on the snow, and 

 nearly aU that aUghted on it took wing without being chilled More bees 

 were lost from other hives which were not opened, as few which left were 

 able to return ; while, in the one with the cover removed, the returning bees 

 were able to alight at once among their warm companions . " 



