189 
hive ; the board will shade the entrance, this shading 
will retard their flying except on real warm sunny days; 
on such days drop the board, forming a floor in front 
of the hive and allow the bees a free flight. These 
flights are very beneficial, as the bees discharge their 
feces and carry in water , if in the month of January 
or later, to prepare food for the brood. 
WINTERING BEES IN CELLARS OR SPECIAL 
HOUSES. 
If bees can be wintered in a cellar, an equal tem- 
perature can be obtained, thus keeping the bees inactive 
and lessening the consumption of honey. A cellar, 
adapted to this purpose should be cool, dark and dry ; 
if the entire cellar cannot be used for the bees alone, 
the part least disturbed may be separated from the rest 
by a partition or curtain, so that the light may not in- 
duce them to fly when the door is opened. If the cel- 
lar is not perfectly dry, or a large number of hives are 
crowded into a small space, the combs may become 
mouldy; to guard against this to some extent, con- 
struct a ventilation tube by fastening four boards to- 
gether, and arrange it in the cellar window or through 
the door. The hives should be elevated from the floor 
by scantling, and if a larger number than can be 
placed on the floor are to be wintered in it, shelves 
may be constructed. The interior of the hives should 
be prepared as for wintering in the open air ; as soon 
