152 THE BLESSED BEES. 



disappearing. In my own experience I have found 

 no trouble. Wintering bees safely, depends upon 

 conditions which the bee-keeper can easily secure. 

 There is no more difficulty or danger in wintering a 

 hive of bees than in wintering a cow. Know the 

 conditions upon which the life of the bee depends, 

 then comply with those conditions. This is the 

 whole secret. These conditions can be known, and 

 can be complied with. They are now known and 

 complied with by not a few intelligent bee-keepers. 

 Those who have seen dozens of weak swarms of 

 bees, in the old box-hives, devastated by the moth, 

 suppose that the moth is a formidable enemy. 

 Again my own experience enables me to say, posi- 

 tively, that the moth need not be feared. Give the 

 bees plain hives that have no lurking-places for 

 moths and grubs, keep the hives strong in bees, and 

 they will defend themselves. This is the experience 

 of all intelligent bee-keepers. Disease among bees 

 has been, in some cases, a great scourge. But 

 remedies have been discovered, so that: if disease ap- 

 pears it can be controlled. Prudence and energy 

 can usually prevent disease from appearing. 



16. " But the stings, how about the stings ? They 

 are what we fear most." Well, until you learn 

 " how to do it " you will get stung somewhat. It is 

 the ordeal of initiation to the fraternity of success- 

 ful bee-keepers. If one begins carefully, always 



