526 
BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 
to occasion a loss of condition, which tells much 
against the rapid building up of the stock in the spring. 
Honey as a food enters into the living fabric before 
it furnishes material for oxidation, yet it remains true 
that loss of heat is exactly equivalent to loss of 
honey. This points to making the surrounding of the 
cluster as non-conductive as possible, not only thus 
saving stores, but the vital energies of the workers, 
which must otherwise also be consumed in keeping 
up temperature. The hive w'alls first require attention. 
The volume of opinion in favour of highly non- 
conductive hive sides would put the question beyond 
the necessity of discussion, were there not some who 
constantly seem to Imply that bees need little protec- 
tion, and that probably thin hives are the best. It 
should be instantly conceded that thin sides are 
practically as good as the most non-conductive if too 
much space is given, or If the top covering is 
deficient. It is useless to fasten the window if the 
door Is off its hinges. Mr. Raitt’s pithy saying, “The 
best protection for bees is bees,” Is perhaps the most 
incisively expressed argument we have in favour of 
abundant protection. Little lots winter badly, but 
cover them by bees that will absolutely prevent their 
heat escaping, and you give them the best possible 
protection. But do not the protectors need help ? 
Yes ; by more bees if w’e can provide them, by 
the best non-conductors available if we cannot. 
The evidence that strong stocks come through all 
right in thin hives proves little, and is no test. 
The plan that will enable the very w'eak to winter 
well on small stores must be the most helpful to 
