222 miner's AMERICAN 



rear, should be provided with shutters, that fit very 

 closely; the one in front in particular. During the 

 summer, the front is left open, and the hives are set 

 back far enough, to be out of the sun the most of the 

 day. In cold weather, the front is shut as tight as pos- 

 sible, door and all ; and if a current of air can be made 

 to circulate within, without the rear shutter being par- 

 tially open, that may also be closed. The bees will then 

 be in darkness, but it is so much the better for them ; 

 provided, that any means can be adopted to ventilate 

 the apiary. A small air-hole at the bottom, at each end 

 of the house, with an escape at the top of the roof, some 

 six inches square, boxed in, and perforated with holes, 

 would keep the atmosphere within perfectly pure. 



On this plan, the bees will not desire to leave their 

 hives, and the usual casualties of the winter season are 

 entirely avoided ; provided the bees have sufficient honey 

 to carry them through the season. They will not con- 

 sume over one half as much honey in this way, as they 

 would, if exposed to the full force of the sun during the 

 winter. 



I would not wish the I'eader to infer, that this last 

 method of wintering bees, is the only way that is recom- 

 mendable. The preceding plan of a wooden house is 

 similar to it, and perhaps some may thinE, just as good, 

 or even preferable. The ornamental bee-house first 

 given, is not, with all its openness, lacking qualities to 

 enable the apiarian to winter his bees with perfect safety. 

 A few boards so placed in front, as to exclude the sun, 

 say a couple of posts set down temporarily, some four 



