and its Economic Management. 87 



had young queens. Others were made up on large frames (14 

 inches by 14 inches) of comb, same strength, and same food, but 

 the combs were placed to one end of hives where the wall was 

 only ^inch thick; at the opposite side nothing protected the 

 comb, where was a large unoccupied space, with three 2-inch holes 

 in the side wall, and one in the centre of the floor. Communi- 

 cation was quite open to the roof where was ten times the space 

 generally allowed for ventilating ; the frames were covered with 

 porous material, and yet with all this extra ventilation and no dum- 

 mies, these stocks came out 5 to i better than those prepared as 

 usual on Standard frames. 



Where bees are wintered on Standard frames in long hives, 

 whether the brood nest is placed at the back or front of the hive, 

 the dummy next the open space must stand clear of the side walls 

 just as the frame does. Those who have followed the advice 

 sometimes given, to the effect that such dummy must be tight 

 fitting and have an entrance of only two inches or less cut out of 

 the bottom edge, will have reason to appreciate the loose fitting 

 board. 



^Vhen keeping bees in a loft, Mr. Cowan, the present editor of 

 the British Bee Journal, raised the crown board of his hives with 

 small pieces of wood such as match ends, as well as giving the 

 same space between the floor and body of the hive. Perfect 

 ventilation was in this manner secured without draught, being in a 

 large closed space ; but the same plan could not be thought of 

 with hives standing in the open. 



Really there is nothing to be done to the bees during the 

 winter months, and all the foregoing provisions have to be settled 

 before the cold weather arrives. Cold, with judicious ventilation, 

 and clear space under the frames ; a good cover, plenty of stores, 

 and stocks in good heart, can do no harm. 



SPRING. 



About the 21st of December the queens will begin to deposit 

 ^[S ; in due time the young will hatch out, and slowly the brood 

 nest is enlarged, until by the time the older bees begin foraging, 



