BEE CULTURE. 141 
THE WINTERING OF BEES. 
Notwithstanding much has been said and written regarding 
the requisites for successful wintering, the problem yet seems 
unsolved. In Russia, in order to evade the rigors of winter, 
a deep pit or subterranean vault is dug in the ground, and 
the “gums” containing the bees are piled one above the 
other several feet below the surface; then a straw hut is 
constructed above-ground, over the pit, with a door for ven- 
tilation in the leeward side, to carry off the moisture and heat 
‘from the bees, If fifty per cent. of the bees survive till 
spring the bee-keeper feels much encoiraged. In our Central 
and Northern States, cellar repositories seem to have met 
with more favor than perhaps any other plan ; still, some ex- 
pericnced and comparatively quite successful apiarists are 
found among the advocates of numerous other methods, most 
prominent of which are chaff hives on summer stands, double- 
wall hives, frame hives with deep combs, ete. 
To account for the many failures of all the popular methods 
numerous theories have been put forth by the wise ones, 
while others stand aghast at having had their pet theories 
proven mere chimeras ; and even the most confident look for- 
ward with trembling anxiety, scarcely knowing which is the 
strongest sentiment—hope or fear. Breed our bees up to 
what standard we may, create a popular demand for honey 
till it is as eagerly sought after as bread, build up the price 
till our profits count cent. per cent. when Providence ordains 
a favorable winter, and yet, with all these, there is a nervous 
anxiety about the business that is not dispelled till we have 
passed the last nipping frost of spring. Disguise the fact as 
we may, until some method for wintering is devised—that is, 
a method which will prove as safe and certain for a medium 
weak colony as a strong one; which will at all times give 
bees access to their stores let them be in what part of the 
hive they may ; that will be as safe in a long, inclement win- 
