150 WINTERING. 



pure. The hives should be moved into the cellar with great care, to 

 prevent jarring, so soon as cold weather sets in, in earnest, and remain 

 until it is well over, even to May, in very cold latitudes, though they 

 shouid be set out, a few at a time, for a fly on some warm day in mid- 

 winter. They should not be taken permanently from such indoor wint- 

 ing places, before the very bleak wintry winds are over. If a mistake 

 is made, and they are set out, before severe weather is over, it is, we 

 believe, best to return them to their quarters, if it should suddenly blow 

 up severely cold, as much loss is apt to ensue. 



When wintered in cellars, much upward ventilation should be allowed. 

 The cap may be left off, and a piece of fine wire-cloth tacked on, so as 

 to prevent the depredations of mice . On this, quilts, or boards may be 

 laid, covering partially, according to the strength of the colony. Strong 

 colonies require more, and weak ones less ventilation. 



Evidently this mode of wintering requires a great deal of labor and 

 timely attention. Sometimes with the best care the bees will become 

 restless, we know not why, and will always need a fly during winter; 

 many people have no such suitable cellar, and they are expensive if 

 made, or they it ay not well answer the purpose, owing to the nature of 

 the soil. For these reasons, and the ease of wintering on su mmer stands, 

 almost everywhere in onr country, except, perhaps, in the extreme 

 northern sections, we recommend generally to winter on summer stands. 

 In rather northern climates we recommend air chambers around the 

 bees, to prevent sudden changes in the weather. After hives are pre- 

 pared with stores, and otherwise for winter, we recommend that they 

 be packed for winter in this way: Reduce the frames to six or eight, 

 according to size, for bees winter better when the chamber is not too 

 large for the size of the colony. Remember this fact, in preparing for 



