84 A Modem Bee-Farm 



have been without a laying queen for a few weeks during summer ; 

 as well as those which may be short of stores. It will be found 

 impossible to alternate the combs with ten or eleven-frame hives 

 where they are populous, and in that case place the whole hive 

 upon another near to it ; or if a little too far apart, bring each 

 hive half-way ; and in all cases of uniting, place a wide board from 

 the ground to the flight board, not only to attract the flying bees, 

 but also that both lots may be aware of a strange location ; and 

 so have no inclination to fight. (Refer to Uniting, p. 19.) 



So far as food and strength are concerned, we are now ready 

 for 



WINTER, 



and the next thing to be considered is whether or not more warmth, 

 in the shape of packing is required. Mr. Raitt says that the best 

 packing for bees in winter is " bees," and I quite agree with him ; 

 in fact I use nothing more about my hives than they have had all 

 the summer, and at all times consider that the most vital point is 

 the top of the hive, where they are always covered with warm 

 material, such as chaff, or cork-packed trays, pieces of carpet, 

 or sacking. 



It is not important whether there are chafl"-packed dummies on 

 the outsides of the brood nest, or not ; though of the two I give 

 the preference to old tough combs. 



Position of Frames. 



All hives should stand so that the frames are " end on " to the 

 south wall, that every seam of bees is warmed up during a gleam 

 of winter sunshine, enabling them to change their position and 

 take food, while bringing stores nearer the cluster. Bees will 

 winter all right if so situated and in good heart, but where placed 

 behind thick walls, they are subject to a continued low temperature, 

 as the mid-winter sun does not penetrate to the cluster. There is 

 no warmth in double walls at this time, just when it is most 

 required, though of course I admit that they are a benefit as soon 

 as the cluster expands, retaining the heat given out by the bees. 



