The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-27
Outdoor Wintering of Bees.

Now England Farmer
Indoor wintering if properly conducted, may
wintering brings as good results, why
should the additional labor and expense
necessary to put under cover be
sumed? Bee enthusiasts exclaim that the bees,
like other workers on the farm should have ad-
ditiona protection in winter. But when it
is demonstrated that the heat generated by
cluster of bees is $50 F., in the center and 45o
on the outside, when the mercury falls 200 below
zero on the outside of the hive, it is evident that
a strong colony of bees do not suffer very much
in zero weather, even
A bee-keeper. with thirty colonies and twelve
years experience with the Simplicity hives win
tiers in them, and on summer-stands. Over the
frames he spreads an enameed cloth, and
this is about six inches of sawdust. Another bee
keeper, with fifty colonies and twenty-five years
experience leaves the bees in the open air in the
American and Simplicity hive. The only addi-
tional protection given is several thicknesses of
carpeting placed over the brood-chamber. Both
apiaries referred to are protected by board
fences, and in both, also, the spring count does
not vary much from that made in the fall.
Weak colonies will fall out, of course, but there
need be no weak colonies if the bee-keeper be up
in the business
American and Simplicity hive placed side by
side A few boards nailed together were set up
on the north and west, and the space over the
frames in each hive was filled with anything
The entrances were left wide open. In the
American hive there are two inch augur holes
above the entrance. The tins provided for clos
ing these holes were merely turned over them,
but not made tight Thus prepared for winter
they remained and were not disturbed
until April. Both were ready to swarm by
the middle of May. One of the colonies grew
into five during the past season, and the other into
three. None stored surplus honey, but all are
| strong and supplied gathered themselves) with
oh ipfa Ic nnf hot
record for two coloniesl
In this latitude-atitude Of Boston-out door
wintering is in great favor. Whatever be placed
over the frames it should not rest directly upon
them. In very cold weather, the bees are
not able to travel far and must consume the
honey near. When the weather softens. they
bring honey from the outside frames and deposit
it where the cluster is. If there be no passage
way through the combs, or over the top of the
| frames, the bees are obliged to 60 around the
| side or bottom of the frames Some bee-keepers
| make openings in the comb above the center
but others object to the plan because 1t facili-
tates the escape of heat
When the wide frames, or crates, or section
| boxes are taken from the hive they are usually
| attached TO the lower frames by wax. Some Of
| this wax remains and if the enameled cloth be
spread it, it will keep the cloth up far enough
| to allow the bees to pass from frame TO frame
| under it, II there be no wax put in pieces OF
cloth, or barrel hoop. The cloth should be raised
only in the center, or near it, and never at the
sides. On the cloth place leaves, mating, and
| anything to exclude frost If frost be kept
| out of the brood chamber. the colony has more
| than an average chance to live until spring pro-
| yided it has something to live on. There should
| he high board fence, or some kind of a wind
| break on the west and north If the apary be
| on sunny sloap, where the sun nestles and
makes warm even in midwinter, the entrance to
the hive, or the whole hive should be shaded,
lest the bees be enticed out in too great numbers
and become chilled and unable to return.