78 07 t Rational Bee-Keepmg. 
dysentery, or from other accompanying causes, 
such, for instance, as the death of the queen. 
In winter the base of the hives should be 
raised in such a manner that there may be a 
free circulation of air, be it ever so little. 
Moreover, the colonies would be none the 
worse, and the comb would be preserved in 
better condition, if a slight ventilation were 
allowed in the upper part of the hives. 
Care, however, must be taken that the opening 
made be too small to allow a bee to get through, 
otherwise the hive is liable to be exposed to 
robbers. It would be well, under these circum- 
stances, to put some covering over the hive — old 
clothes, bits of carpet or cloth, or some such 
protection ; and when there is any brood in the 
hive, the top should be well closed, warmth 
being very necessary in order to bring the young 
to perfection. 
Care must also be taken, at the beginning of 
spring as well as in the winter, to keep the 
entrance of the hive very narrow — about an inch 
wide, with height sufficient to allow a bee to 
pass under. By these means, if the hive is 
weak, but contains a queen, it will always be 
able to defend itself against robbers. These 
