April, '23] 
MERRILL: WINTER PROTECTION FOR BEES 
129 
be met in a single hive body which would have the added advantage 
of having only one set of combs, the bees ought to winter better even 
than in the two-story hives. Some of the largef hives now in use should 
meet these requirements. 
Summary 
1. The purpose of this experiment was to show, by specific figures, 
the results obtained by applying the best known methods for wintering 
bees. 
2. Six hives containing a known amount of honey and a known 
number of bees were placed on scales, and daily readings taken of all 
changes in weight. 
3. Three of these hives were sheltered by a windbreak, while the 
others were not. 
4. Each set of three consisted of one one-story hive, one two-story 
hive, and one packed hive. 
5. In addition to making daily readings of the changes in weights, a 
general weighing was made at the beginning of the honey flow in the 
spring to determine the number of bees in the colonies on that date. 
6. It was shown that a two-story hive, unprotected, averaged 
6,346 more bees than a one-story hive similarly placed, and that in the 
windbreak the two-story hive averaged 6,978 more bees than the one- 
story hive. 
7. It was shown that the windbreak made an average difference of 
8,600 bees in a one-story, unpacked hive, 7,968 in a two-story, un¬ 
packed hive, and 3,539 in a packed hive. 
8. It is indicated that if a windbreak is not available, added packing 
will, to a certain extent, offset this disadvantage. 
9. It was shown that unless sufficient stores are left in the hive, the 
queen will not lay eggs to her fullest capacity. 
10. It was shown that the packed hive in the windbreak has an 
average advantage of 21,325 more bees than the one-story, unpacked 
hive, and 14,979 more bees than the two-story, unpacked hive. Where- 
there was no windbreak, the packed hive had an average advantage of 
18,140'more bees than the one-story, unpacked hive, and 11,162 more.: 
bees than the two-story, unpacked hive. 
Mr. Green : Something was said in regard to the opportunity to fly 
during the winter. Provided they have an abundance of supplies and 
