WINTERING BEES. 
361 
Great loss is often incurred in replacing upon their 
Summer stands the stocks which have been kept in special 
depositories. Unless the day when they are put out is 
very favorable, many will be lost when they fly to dis¬ 
charge their fa;ces. In movable-comb hives, this risk can 
be greatly diminished, by removing the cover from the 
frames, and allowing the sun to shine directly upon the 
bees; this will warm them up so quickly, that they will all 
discharge their faeces in a very short time.* 
After the stocks are placed on their Summer stands,| 
the precautions already described should be taken to 
strengthen feeble or impoverished colonies (p. 221). 
* Tho following is an extract from my Journal: 
“Jan. 81st, 1857.—Removed the upper cover, exposing the bees to the full heat 
of the sun, the thermometer being 80° In the 6hade, and tho atmosphere calm. 
The hive standing on the sunny side of the house, the bees quickly took wing and 
discharged their forces. Very few were lost on the snow, and nearly all that 
alighted on it took wing without being chilled. More bees were lost from other 
hives which wore not opened, as few which left were able to return; while, in tho 
one with the cover removed, the returning bees were able to alight at once among 
their warm companions." 
+ Dzierzon advises placing them on their former stands, as many bees still 
rememb'r tho old spot. Mr. Quinby uses this time for equalizing the colonies, v 
he finds that, “being all wintered In room, their scent is so much alik 
that they mix together without contention. 
16 
