The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-05-04
AenrourrunAL CoLLror. Apr,l q

Correspondence Of The True Northerner.
Since my last communication / have re-
ceived requests from several farmers in our
county, to give an article on " wintering Bees, "
as practiced at the college. For what give,
am mostly indebted to Prof. Cook, who has
made himself prominent as an entomologist
and apiarist, by close extensive study and wide
observations, together with quite extensive
exper fence. The bees as kept here are on
stands prepared by digging out the earth four
inches deep. for space OF four by six feet
placing layer OF old brick ON the bottom and
then filling IN with sawdust, thus preventing
weeds and grass from growing and forming a
smooth surface 80 that there is but little
damage OF loosing the queen. At the south
west corner OF each Of these, stands an ever
green, trimmed close on the north side so as
to allow the hive to set close to the tree. and
thus shade the bees that cluster outside from
surroun ded with many varieties of valuable
honey plants. There being no trouble in keep
ing and caring for them from the first of
April to the first Of October, 1 will omit a
description of the care Of them during this
period, unless especially desired. The subject
Of wintering is however of paramount inpor-
lance, for here the Encouragement In the other
wise profitable and pleasant industry has Its
origin. 1t is generally admitted that the bees
may be wintered either on their stands or in
well ventilated cellars that can be kept at a
temperature between IS and As degrees. But
I will give only some OF the requisites in either
mode Of wintering. The requisites are says
the Professor, IN an essay on the subject which
took the prize at the national bee-keepers con-
vention at Philadelphia, Pa, Oct. 26. 1876:
First, The colonies must be kept in a uni
fern temperature. as given above.
Second, The bees should never go into
winter quarters, without at least thirty pounds
of good capped honey, II the combs have
uncapped honey, it should b, removed.
Third Any impotent queens or any not first
class, should be superseded by good ones early
in the season,
Fourth Immediately above the bees there
should be placed guilt, made of good factory,
and above it if the hive permits as IN most
cases they will, there should be placed a
factory bag filed loosely with chaff, to absorb
moisture. This may be from SIX to eight in
ches in diameter. The Prof. is 30 sure that
their methods will succeed without fail, that he
sells his bees in the fall, and warrents them il
he can oversee the preparation Of the winter
quarters.
To secure the above requisites, they have
here q small house, under which is q good
cellar that will hold fifty colonies. They are
placed in there in October or the first Of
November, and always on pleasant day, and
when the hive Is perfectly dry. "The cellar is
kept very dry, dark, and quiet, while the
ventilation is all that can be desired. Three
colonies were buried as follows: A hole was
dug IN the side OF hill, where the soil was OF
light sand. some straw was put in the bottom
and, when the nIves were all set in, they nearly
filled the hole; their tops reaching the general
surface level of the ground. A mound OF straw
was then laid on the hives, and about four
inches OF earth put over 1t. A second layer OF
straw was put on and covered as before. At
the very apex there is left wist Of straw stick
ing through, protected from ram by board,
but so as to allow the air to enter. Around
the whole mound, and close to the base a
trench was dug, opening in the down-hlll side.
The burying is purely experimental; but there
is strong probability that with the proper
adjustment Of the amount OF covering, that
the method will prove successful, and have the
advantage of being convenient and practicable
III all places and for ALL"
great deal Of useful information on thi;
subject may be found in tho report of the State
Board Of Agriculture for 1875, which will be
sent to any who desire to read it, by sending
me their names. G.. e. b.