WINTERING BEES. 
347 
EVILS OF WINTERING IN TIIE OPEN AIR CONSIDERED. 
As a great many bee-keepers will find it inconven- 
ient, or be unable to avail themselves of my method 
of wintering, it will be well enough to see how far 
the evils of the open air, which we have already 
glanced at, may be successfully avoided. I am told 
by those who have tried wintering them in straw hives, 
that in this respect they are much safer than those 
made of boards ; probably the straw will absorb the 
moisture. But as these hives are more trouble to con- 
struct, and their shape will prevent the use of suitable 
boxes for surplus honey, this one advantage will hardly 
balance the loss. They are said also to be more liable 
to injury from the moth. We want a hive that will 
unite advantageously as many points as possible. 
It should be remembered that bees always need air, 
especially in the cold.* 'With this in view, we will try 
to dispose of the vapor or frost. If the hive is raised 
sufficient to let it out, it will let in the mice ; to pre- 
vent which, it should be raised only about one-fourth 
of an inch. The hole in the side should be nearly 
covered with wire cloth to keep out the mice , but give 
a passage for the bees ; otherwise they collect here, en- 
deavoring to get out, and remain till chilled, and thus 
perish by hundreds. The ooxes on the top must be 
removed, but not the cap or cover; the holes all 
opened, to let the vapor pass up into the chamber ; if 
this is made with perfectly close joints, so that no air 
* It is presumed that the inexperienced will soon learn to distin- 
guish such bees as die from old age or natural causes, from those 
affeoted by the cold. 
