Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-11-21
Wintering Bees.

X1OW ~ WlutCl uCCo SuCCCSSlWly
is the question of interest above all
others at this time. Thousands
whose bees have done well this sum-
mcr, both in surplus honey and in
crease, are waiting with anxious
hearts to know if next spring will
find their bees all dead, as has been
the case so often. We are sure that
where there is no disease, it is an
easy thing to winter bees without
the loss of one colony. We speak
what we know in this matter. We
do not dispute the testimony of those
who say bees have died of disease;
we know it is SO in some parts ofthe
country, but in other places the loss
was caused by simplest and natural
causes; and what we called dysente-
ry was only the natural focal matter
bees will always discharge when
cold or unduly disturbed during cold
weather.
About September LIST, we were
asked to examine twcnty-o one colo
MES of bees which a friend had pur-
chased. We found every hive filled
with scaled honey in every frame,
not single cell of brood in any
stage, nor any place to put any; the
yield of honey from field of buck
wheat near had been great, and the
bees in their eagerness had filled up
to the exclusion of brood. Had the
hives been left in that condition, the
bees they contained would have died
a natural death by winter, and no
young ones living there to supply
their places, at the approach of cold
the cluste- would have to be too
small for warmth, and would have
miserably persisted. A large clus-
ter will eat away the honey in the
center, and make comfortah'
space for themselves. We are SUI
there would have been dysentery !.
all these hives had they not be-
helped. We extracted honey fro,
them all, and in a short time bree
ing had commenced, and they WI
go into winter with young bees and
room for them to be comfortable and
warm.
Where there is no disease we say
it is easy to winter bees. Give them
plenty of honey, but not too much,
empty space to cluster in, and keep
them dry as well as warm. For us
a dry cellar is the best place. 9th
ers find rooms above ground as good.
In either place they must have dry
comb near the center; secure that in
any hive by taking out full frames
and substituting empty ones, or ex-
tracing honey from a center comb.
BE sure that there is room between
tho bottom of combs and the honey
board. Put bee quilt, piece of old
quilt, blanket or carpet, over the
top of the frames, removing all hon
ey boards; do this at once, but leave
the bees on their summer stands un-
til near the last of November, then
just after some day when the bees
have taken a good flight, remove
them to the cellar or house, leave
them in perfect darkness and undis-
turbed till spring. Allow at least
twenty pounds Of honey to hive !
in cellar, weighing first |
November, and much more if left |
out of doors. If bees have not that !
feed them at once until they |
have-they do much better if fed |
while they can fly freely. We think
bee-keepers have failed to pay prop |
CT attention to several important |
items in preparing bees for winter:
LIST. They have allowed them to
remain too late out in the cold, I'm.
til the combs become frosty before
putting them away.
I'd. They have chosen a very cold
instead OF a warm time to move
them.
Sd. They have allowed too much
ventilation, and draft through the
hive has made the bees uncomforta-
BILE. This is prevented by the quilt
which secures warmth while mois-
lure passes through.
In these directions we have spok-
en- of strong colonies. Smaller ones
can be wintered successfully as Hor-
mer has told us, but they need more
care and greater warmth. We will
hear from Hormer OH this point in
November. ELLEN S. UPPER.