144 BEE CULTURE. 
cover the box. In all cases of packing on the summer stand, 
a passage-way should be made through each comb, a little 
above and back of the center, or three-quarter inch square 
sticks be laid over the tops of the frames, to afford the bees 
a passage from comb to comb, to reach their stores without 
going to the extreme ends of the frames to pass around. 
For wintering on summer stands, all preparations should be 
made early enough in the fall to admit of ample feeding in case 
of a scarcity of stores, as they cannot often be fed afterward 
without great disturbance. 
PREPARING THE CELLAR FOR WINTERING. 
The first step in this direction, is to be assured that the 
cellar is sufficiently warm to prevent the freezing of potatoes, 
apples, ete., and provided with sufficient ventilation to allow 
of the escape from it of noxious gases and heat generated by 
the bees. It is wisdom to provide a means of letting in cold 
air from the outside, should occasion require. Although 
when unoccupied the cellar may be at a mean temperature of 
40° I’., if 100 colonies be placed in it they would soon gener- 
ate sufficient animal heat to run the mercury up to 50°, or 
even more. The bee apartment should be separate by itself, 
and not so situated as to be subject to constant invasions by 
individuals or vermin. The covers should be removed from 
the hives, one or two thicknesses of waolen or cotton cloth 
spread over the frames, two or three inch-square sticks laid 
crosswise of the hive, and the next one sct on top and treated 
the same way, proceeding thus till all are neatly and carefully 
piled up. This work should not be done till the fall is so far 
advanced that the bees will be quite chilled, and exhibit but 
little activity when slightly disturbed. Of course, too much 
care cannot be exercised to do all your work gently, and if 
you can do so without the bees knowing they are being moved, 
it will be much better. When all are nicely piled away, 
darken every nook and crack, so that should the bees venture 
to the entrances to the hives, they might think it a perpetual 
night. At least every fortnight enter your bee apartment 
with a dark lantern, and satisfy yourself that all progresses 
favorably. If the thermometer indicates above 45° F., admit 
cold air at night ; if below 40° F-., partly close the escape, to 
bring the mercury up to the desired temperature. Be cer- 
