The Care of Bees in Winter 
353 
Cellar wintering. 
It is much more difficult to give definite advice to the 
beekeeper who wishes to winter his colonies in a cellar, 
although there is theoretically every reason to consider 
this the better method. If good food is given the colony 
(and this is more important in the cellar than outdoors in 
most climates) and if the cellar temperature and ventila¬ 
tion are controlled properly, excellent results may be ob¬ 
tained and a considerable saving made in the stores consumed, 
although the saving of stores is a minor consideration. The 
optimum cellar temperature, as stated above, is usually 
believed to be between 40° and 45° F. It has been shown 
that at such a cellar temperature the production of heat 
is constantly necessary during the winter and this may be 
reduced by raising the cellar temperature. Great care must, 
however, be exercised that the bees do not become excited 
and crawl out of the hives. In general a cellar temperature 
of 50° F. or higher 
results in a saving 
of the vitality of 
the bees. Suffi¬ 
cient ventilation 
should be pro¬ 
vided to prevent 
condensation of 
water, which will, 
however, be rare 
at the higher col¬ 
lar temperature. 
Light should be 
excluded and the 
colonies should be 
absolutely undisturbed from the time they are put in place 
until they are removed. Most beekeepers use the cellars 
under their residences, but special cellars are often constructed 
under the honey-house or in the apiary (Fig. 143). Since low 
temperatures are to be avoided it is usually preferable to use a 
Fio. 143. — Roof of a bee cellar away from a house. 
2 A 
