2 
skim. Before feeding for winter reduce the hive 
to (seven frames) as small a size as practicable, so 
that the bees will occupy every comb during win¬ 
ter. At the approach of winter secure proper up¬ 
ward ventilation so as to prevent the accumulation 
and retention of dampness, water, or frost in the 
hives, and if wintered on their snmmer stand, pro¬ 
tect from cold winds with straw or other means 
that will retain warmth and not impede ventila¬ 
tion or evaporation, and shade the hives except 
during such days as the bees can fly without danger 
of being chilled on the snow or otherwise. They 
should be allowed to fly whenever the air in the 
shade is warm enough to induce them to fly. A 
cool, dark , still, dry place, with proper ventilation to 
the hives to keep the combs dry and the bees quiet, 
is the most favorable in which to winter bees with 
the least loss of either bees or honey. The bees 
should be allowed to fly as often as necessary to 
keep them in a healthy condition. How often they 
should fly depends in a great measure upon the 
condition of their honey, which often contains too 
much water and is otherwise impure, causing dis¬ 
ease when the bees are confined too long. When¬ 
ever this condition exists the bees must be allowed 
to fly, and if the open air is too cold for them 
their hives should be placed in a warm room at the 
window, so situated that the bees can crawl back 
into the hive after flying. 
This is an effectual remedy for the bee cholera 
or dysentery, and by the same means transfers may 
be successfully made, and the bees ted at any time 
during cold weather. Too long confinement , with 
improper ventilation and impure honey, have caused 
the loss of many colonies. They should not be 
