winter linings etc. see interleaved journal i after d e, also s i
wintering bees. a dark properly dry cellar the best place for bees in
winter. it is desirable to keep them properly quiet. the temperature
ought not to be below freezing, about 40 degrees, not over 50 degrees. a perfectly dark room will
answer if not too warm. unless the place where they are put in winter is very
favorable, they might not to be removed from their stands. if their hives are suitably
constructed and thoroughly protected and it will be the safest plan to let them
remain on their stand, if the stocks are strong and well supplied with honey. 
very great care should be taken not to disturb bees in the winter. if they are excited to
activity many will be separated from the cluster, be chilled and perish, they will consume
more food and from the accumulation of feces be less able to bear confinement without injury. 
if there comes a warm sunny day it will greatly benefit them to let them fly. hives
shut up should at such times be brought out. the bottom boards of those standing
out should be dropped to enable them the full influence of the warm air, and this time
should be selected to clean their bottom boards from dead bees etc dirt. it will be found
that when many bees lose their lives in carrying out the dead, they fall with them on
the [illegible] or cold ground and are too much chilled to regain their hives. if these
do not winter well, but are weak in the spring, but little profit can be expected from
of them. early swarming, or the strength necessary for this, cannot be expected. small
colonies are most liable to suffer in winter. if an apiary is properly managed
every colony in the fall will be suitably provided with bees, comb and honey, and
none but such will be retained unless for the purpose of using them for queen breeders
in the spring, unusual precautions must be taken to preserve such colonies. the
use of hives with [illegible] enables the apiary and to equalize his colonies. my hives are
so constructed as to be free from that the dampness which condenses on the sides and [illegible] of ordinary hives, filling
them often with mold and ice, and often starving the bees by preventing them from
passing to [illegible] combs containing their stores. the cheapest investment which the apiarian
can make is in the purchase of good hives. if such a hive was to cost $5 it would be
cheaper than a poor thin hive received as a gift. 
see w e



