The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-01-07
evening State So,lrnal.
WEDNESDAY EvEN'e, JAM, 1874.
Rec Notes-Adyice to Beginners.

Bee NOtes-Advice to Beginners.
More people are asking at the present
time how to winter bees than ever before.
In 1868 " The Mysteries of Bee-keeping',
was first published. The best process then
known to the writer was there detailed. A
warm cellar or clubhouse, made warm, was
considered the best place. have wintered
IN such place with loss of but two per
cent, and have known small lots at that
time to pass the winter with loss of less
than ten per cent, even when left on their
summer stands. But for the past two win.
ters it was very rare to find ten per cent.
saved of those out Of doors, and very mar Y
OF those housed suffered equally. There
was this difference: OF those out of doors
scarcely any escaped while those housed,
especially when kept warm enough, were
the only ones that were well wintered.
1t IS desirable to ascertain, if possible,
the causes that produce these results.
Many attribute it to dysentery caused by
the quality of honey, and assert that the
prairie flowers of the West furnish some-
thing very different from what was OBJ
tanned twenty years ago forgetting that
the Eastern states do not furnish it now,
and the result there is about the same.
Others suppose that the young bees win
ter best, and that from some cause the bees
early stop rearing brood, and by the be-
ginning Of winter have no bees less than
several months old-three or four
at least-and by the next April
these are dying of old age, or, if
not dead, worthless. While admitting that
young bees are most valuable, this solution
of the difficulty does not apply, because
they failed in some cases to rear young
bees late, just the same, years ago. The
idea that it is in the quality of the honey
that makes the trouble is insisted on by an
other, from the fact that he has substituted
sugar syrup for winter food, and has lost
no bees when so fed. AS none of these
reasons are wholly satisfactory, some have
inquired further: What condition has been
present the past two years that we have
not had before in forty years? But
few attribute it to the cold weather. l |
must do so. All know that good hive |
of bees with proper quantity of honey
well distributed will stand any degree
Of cold for time, as has been proved |
many times. Yet the cold of the last two |
winters has been different, not only in
severity, but in continuing until late in the |
spring. A fortnight of such weather,
with few warm days between the spells
for them to revive, and they come out all
right. That dysentery is produced by cold |
is shown by their never having it in warm
weather. That syrup of sugar does not
prevent it in such weather was proved in
many cases the past winter where the
combs were filled with it and nothing else,
and were badly soiled before the bees failed.
After strict inquiry, the only places
found where bees were wintered success
fully was where they had the benefit Of
artificial heat, unless in room with num-
bers sufficient to create heat for themselves.
From all these facts we can see the neces-
sity of more artificial warmth than was
needed few years since. Do not take
the chance of success outdoors. The
coming winter may be mild and it may
be the third one of severity. Let us be
prepared for any emergency. If we have
less than one hundred stocks let them ne
put in place where the temperature can
be regulated. The more bees in room
the less artificial heat will be needed. If
there are only few stocks put them in
room adjoining one in which there is fire,
either over or under or on one side, or in
a cellar under the living room. A room
will keep them warmer than few in a
|
avoided. A little below or very little
above fifty degrees will do, and this should
be uniform if possible. .
Another point. If the room has win
1ows they must be darkened-perfe ctly
dark-or the bees will leave the hive and
waste. If there is no room to spare for |
this purpose, and you have but hive or
TWO, put them in close box to keep dark
ventilate the box without admitting light |
10 the hive, and keep them as quiet as
possible. House the first of this month
as soon as we have real winter. Choose q
cool day to do it. Be careful not to jar
he hives. If several are set close together
hey are easier kept warm than if scat
cred. Such as have stores sufficient at
he proper time need not be disturbed un,
til spring. Those lacking stores must
not be allowed to starye. Material to
keep them will cost no more now
han if given early. But tie
care of feeding is increased. When
he room is warm they may be fed
enough to last until April-three pounds
per month. Syrup made of sugar-coffee
probably the cheapest feed.
If fed when they are cold bee will not
cave the cluster and creep to the top OF a
lish containing feed. but will come to the
bottom if it can obtain it there. There are
eeders made on this principle, but patent
ID. If warm enough. the bees may feed
IS they need it, by the month or oftener.
But such feeding is not recommended as
he best waY.-K. Quinby, 81. Joltnsville,
N. y.