The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1874-11-06
Bome, gardfu and farm
w,userfng Bees in Cellars

x,erience in wintering bees IN |
CELLARS or closed apartments has not
nroyed the system TO be Of any value
nnless the greatest care is exercised TO
guard against the various contingencies
that this system causes to operate against
the well-being of insects.
Experiments which we have made III
a small way, and observations through
series of years Of the success Of a care
ful apiarian, who, in connection with
other farm operations hes been IN the
habit Of wintering from forty to fifty
swarms in dry and thoroughly-ventila-
ted cellar, leave no doubt in cur mind
that, by this system, bees may be more
successfully handled than by wintering
on the stands where they are sumInered.
Nevertheless, we should not advise the
practice, unless with those who are pre-
pared to give to hives wintered artificial
Iy, constant care and attention.
Three years ago, we came into posses
sion of nine swarms of bees, wintered in
an clubhouse. Upon examination the
hives proved from neglect to be so thor
oughIy full of moth as to be worthless so
far as dollars and cents were concerned.
The first thing to be done, however, was
TO remove them into clean hives, which
was accomplished by selecting the best
comb, including of course brood, at the
time of the blossoming of the apple
trees. This was done by quieting the
bees with smoke and allowing them to
I'll themselves with honey, and then re-
moving sufficient number of frames
into each of the clean hives to form a
nucleus. The dry season, however,
operated against success in gathering
honey, while it seemed impossible, in the
weak state Of the swarIns, to reduce the
depredations of the moth. These pests
were not tfinallyovereome until the stocks
were reduced to one swarm.
In 1873, this swarm threw of two
swarms, one of which was caught by
neighbor. and the swarms now are all
doing well, the moths having been pretty
well eradicated.
The bees having been reduced to a sin
gle hive before the moths were finally
overcome, it was determined not to win
ter them within doors, and for the last
two winters they have been left on the
summer stands, without any protection
whatever, and, Notwithstanding the de-
struction of bees by disease in various
parts of the country, these have cOntin-
ued to grow and do well The query,
therefore, naturally occurs: Is there any
benefit in wintering swarms indoors?
Our experience is against it, but we con-
fess we have had very little to do with
bees since 1862, except that we have al
ways handled a few hives. Before the year
mentioned, We kept regularly from twen-
ty to forty hives, and always wintered
them where they were summered, pro-
tecting from severe freezing, however, by
enclosing their house and packing clean
straw around their hives. leaving free
exit to the bees.
80 We hope to have this question fully
discussed by our readers who keep bees.
1t is an important subject, and now that
we have given our experience, We hope
that others will follow. Our opinion is
against wintering in cellars or closed
apartments, at least with those who can
not give constant attention. In such cas-
es we know of good results; so also do
we know of just as good ones when the
bees have received none of this so-caIIed
protection. Western Rural.