WINTERING BEES. 
339 
As facts observed have a value far above theories, I 
shall give the substance of numerous observations made 
by me, at Greenfield, Massachusetts, in the Winter of 
1850-7, on wintering bees in the open air : 
Jan. 9tii, 1857. — Examined a number of stocks with 
Winter-passages in their combs, and with all the holes in 
their honey-board uncovered. The previous month had 
been extremely cold, and, for three days before the exami- 
nation, the thermometer had been one-half of the thne 
below zero, and only once ten above, the wind blowing an 
almost continuous gale. In none of these hives could I find 
any frost or dampness, or any bees killed by being caught 
away from the main body of the colony. In a tempera- 
ture below zero, they would rush up from their combs on 
the slightest jar of their hives, rapidly pouring through 
the Winter-passages, and showing their ability to reach 
any of their stores.* In a few colonics, to which no up- 
ward ventilation had been given, the interior walls of the 
hive, and many of the combs were coated with frost. 
Jan. 14tii. — Carefully examined three hives. No. 1, 
made of boards seven-eighths of an inch thick, had stood 
with its honey-board removed, the same as would show 
by removing (/) in Plate III., Fig. 9. It had a good stock 
of bees, and, although the mercury in the morning was 
101° below zero, there was scarcely any frost in the hive. 
The bees were dry and lively, and the central combs con- 
tained eggs and unsealed brood. No. 2 contained an 
equally strong stock, in a thin hive holding eighteen 
frames, teu of which (five on each side) had no combs. 
This hive had no upward ventilation, and was very frosty. 
* On a cold Novcinbor day, I have found bees, in a ldve without any 'Winter- 
passages, separated from the main cluster, and so chilled as not to bo able to move ; 
while, with the thermometer many degrees below zero, I have repeatedly noticeit, 
in other hives, at one of the holes made in the comb, a cluster, varying in sue, 
ready to rush out at the slightest jar of their hive. 
