350 
Beekeeping 
Outdoor wintering. 
In warm situations, bees may be left outside all winter 
with no added protection, for they are often able to with¬ 
stand great hardship and may even survive zero weather 
in a single-walled hive. However, if the energy of the colony 
is to be properly conserved, they should not be called upon 
to endure this. Beekeepers are coming to the view that 
abundant packing is desirable and the tendency seems to be 
Fig. 142. — An apiary in winter. 
to use more than was formerly thought necessary. Pack¬ 
ing serves to prevent the loss of heat generated by the bees 
and thereby materially lessens the muscular activity neces¬ 
sary. Just as it is practically impossible to leave too much 
honey in a hive for winter, so it has never been observed that 
a colony is too thoroughly packed. 
A commendable plan, which has been in use for many 
years, is to place four colonies close together in a box, two 
facing east and two facing west, leaving room for four to 
six inches of planer shavings .or dry leaves on all sides and 
perhaps a foot on top. Sawdust is less desirable than fine 
