WINTERING BEES. 
343 
posed, from rpdue accumulation of faeces. Dysentery is one of 
the direct consequences of water-dearth , the bees, in dire need of 
water, consuming honey immoderately, and taking cold by roam¬ 
ing about the combs. 
“On the 11th of February, we examined a number of colonies, 
on whose bottom-boards we noticed particles of candied honey, and 
found that in all of them, the sealed honey had been opened in 
various points, and that breeding had entirely ceased. The colo¬ 
nies thal we had supplied with water on discovering that they 
needed it, contained healthy brood, in every stage of development. 
“ In March and April, the rapidly increasing amount of brood 
causes an increased demand for water; and when the thermome¬ 
ter is as low as 45°. bees may be seen carrying it in at noon, even 
on windy days, although many are sure to perish from cold. In 
these months, in 1856, during a protracted period of unfavorable 
weather, we gave all our bees water, and they remained at home 
in quiet , whilst those of other Apiaries were flying briskly in search 
of water. At the beginning of May, our hives were crowded with 
bees ; whilst the colonies of our neighbors were mostly weak. 
“The consumption of water in March and April, in a populous 
colony, is very great, and in 1856, one hundred stocks required 
eleven Berlin quarts per week, to keep on breeding uninterruptedly. 
In Springs where the bees can fly safely almost every day, the 
want of water will not be felt. 
“ The loss of bees by water-dearth , is the result of climate, and 
no form of hive, or mode of wintering, can furnish an absolutely 
efficient security against it. The colonies may be put in yard- 
long lager-hives, or in towering standards, in shapeless gums, in 
neat straw hives, or in well lined Dzierzons : in wood, or straw, 
or clay domiciles : or may dwell in hollow trees, or clefts of rocks ; 
they may remain unshielded on their Summer stands; be protected 
by a covering of pine shatters or chaff; or be stored in dark cham¬ 
bers or vaults—still, water-dearth may occur, here and there, 
earlier or later, and more or less injuriously : because it is counter 
to the original instincts of the bee to dwell in Northern climates , 
confined to its habitation for months. 
“ If water is regularly given to the bees, from the middle of 
