bee-keeper's manual. 315 



the ground, and immuring them in cellars, is all wrong. 

 Now and then, a man will have a family pass the winter 

 in this way, without actual ruin ; and it is forthwith 

 heralded as a grand discovery — the very best way to 

 keep bees over winter, &c. It is not so. I have neither 

 time nor room to say much on this method of wintering 

 bees, but any place that is not perfectly dry, is no place 

 for bees in any season. In cellars, the combs will mould 

 to a greater, or less extent, thereby laying the founda- 

 tion for the ruin of every family thus circumstanced. 



The passages from the lower sections of the hives, to 

 the chambers, or supers, should be left unclosed. This 

 allows the steam or vapor, arising in hives in win- 

 ter to pass off, and in cold climates, it prevents the 

 accumulation of frost within them, that would other- 

 wise occur. 



As I before stated, the hives should be let down in the 

 fall, and the bees made to pass in and out, through the 

 small passages. 



Every strong family should have a current of ^r 

 passing under them, to prevent the bees desiring to come 

 out ; and for this purpose, remove the slides to both the 

 front and rear openings. Small, weak swarms, will be 

 kept sufficiently cool, by opening the front entrance only. 



When the ground is covered with snow, be particular 

 to confine your bees, if they come out much, by closing 

 the entrances with the zink slides ; and as soon " as an 

 opportunity occurs to let the bees take an airing, they 

 should have the priviledge of doing so. The hives may 

 be occasionally raised, and the bottom-boards cleaned 



