338 
TIIE HJTV T E AND HONET-BEE. 
colony by the excitement created by confining them when 
the weather is warm enough to entice them abroad.* 
The best Apiarians are still at variance as to how much 
air should be given to bees in Winter, and whether hives 
should have upward vent ilat ion , or not. If the hives have 
no upward ventilation, then I believe that they need as 
much, or even more, air, than in Summer. If upward 
ventilation is given, the smaller the lower openings the 
better, as it is not desirable that there should be a strong 
current of cold air passing through the hives. 
In my hives, all the lower passages can easily be closed 
air-tight, and the bees allowed to go in and out through 
the 1 Vinter -entrance, which is made at the top of the 
hive (PI. I., Fig. 1 ; PI. V., Fig. I7).f 
If the hive has an upper box-cover, as in PI. III., Fig. 
9, the holes in the honey-board must be left open, or 
closed only with wire-cloth, that the dampness, which would 
otherwise condense or freeze on the combs and interior 
walls of the hive, may escape without injuring the bees. 
If an upper hive, as in Plate V., Fig. 16, is placed on 
the top of the one hi which the bees are wintered, its 
roof should be slightly elevated, to allow the escape of 
moisture. If a single hive, like that in Plate I., Fig. 1, or 
Plate V., Fig. 17, is used, the same opening must bo 
allowed for the escape of dampness};. 
* If the sun is warm and the ground covered with now-fallen snow, the light 
may so blind the bees, that they will fall into this fleecy snow, and quickly perish. 
At such times. It. would probably be best to confine them to their hives. If the 
snow is hard enough to bear up n healthy bco, it is seldom lost, unless tempted to 
fly by the sun shining full upon Its hive as it stands in a sheltered place. 
t The lower entrance may be closed in the Eall, whilo the bees are still flying, 
and they will quickly accustom themselves to tho upper one. Mr. Wheaton sug- 
gests making this Winter-entrance in tho back of the hivo, and in tho Fall revers- 
ing tho Idle, stand and all. This entrance is merely proposed, for trial. 
+ Small strips of wood, one-eighth of an inch thick, may be placed between the 
sides of tho hive and the undor-surfaco of the roof, and, when the roof is securely 
fastened, the dampness can escape from tho front and roar of tho hivo, whoro the 
openings arc sheltered by the clomps, from the snow and rain. 
