ONE OF THE MOST VITAL parts of the beekeep- 

 er's work is the preparation of bees for outdoor 

 wintering. No other phase of beekeeping has so 

 direct an influence on the honey ci'op of the follow- 

 ing season. 



The apiary should be located in a protected place 

 and the colonies should not be moved at the time of 

 I)acking. Directions are given in this bulletin for the 

 proper arrangement of the apiary to prevent con- 

 fusion due to the shifting of hives. 



The amount and character of the packing mate- 

 rials and the most economical type of packing cases 

 are discussed. 



A schedule of dates for packing and unpacking the 

 hives is presented for all parts of the United States, 

 and the amount and character of winter stores are 

 indicated. 



It is important that none of the factors of good 

 wintering be omitted, and several tests are given so 

 that the beekeeper may determine whether his bees 

 are wintering pfoperly: 



Contribution from the Bureau of Entomology 



L- 0- HOWARD, Chief 



Issued September. 1918 

 Washington, D. G. Keprint, April, 1922 



