The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-10
Winteriug Bees.

Correspondence Country Gentleman.
There is no problem about it, all that is re-
quired is q grain of knowledge and pound of
common sense If colony of bees have abund-
ant stores, the problem" is settled practically.
1t does not matter very much what the hive is,
If it be as good as tight box 1t is in the in
terest of many persons to extol the merits OF the
chaff hive. 1t Is not doubted that chaff hive is
a good hive for summer winter although 1t
may be question whether it is better with or
without the chat. Many bee-keepers, if they
used double wall hives, would leave out the chaf
altogether.
A beginner bought in the spring several colo
MES in ehaff hives He Gid not give them much
attention because he had teamwork to do. Late
in the summer the bees were discovered to be
overrun by moth worms. The chaff had been q
convenient nest place for them. The bees are
worthless. This of course is the fault of the
construction of the hive, and of the owner, but
in bee keeping, as in anything else, it does not
pay to watch useless cracks and crevices. The
double-wall hive is sufficient with the vacant
dead air space. . If anything be better than
another to fill the space, it is sand. That will
add to the weight, but prevent the hive from
blowing away and what ii it does make it
heavy? The ordinary chaff hive is too heavy
and cumbersome for one man to carry easily
and that is one great bar to its USE
But we DO not want double-wall hive-that
is 10 say, it is not necessary. Tried side by side
with single wall hives, the chaff ark has proved
to be an inferior winter nesting place. But it it
is not inferior, If equal to the singlewall hive,
what is the object in having it. since it is double
in price as well as walls Let US suppose that
we have wasted no money on chaff, and have
single. wall hives Then let us tuck up the bees
and prepare them for winter rest
First, the colony should have twenty or
twenty FIVE pounds of honey. It may winter
less, but if the winter is irregular. more will be
consumed than in steady run of cold weather.
Six frames is enough to winter If
the hive has ten frames, take out the two
outside ones and put in an inch board cut,
larger than frame, to fit snug Place enameled
cloth over the frames. If this be done early
enough, the bees will build brace combs under
the cloth, thereby lifting it up, and allowing
passage-way over the frames and under the
cloth. If it is done late in the season. pieces of
lath. or similar sticks, should be placed
under the cloth But it should be done early,
by all means Late in the season the bees
collect great quantities of propolis. While the
weather holds warm. this can be worked-worked
into every hole and opening. The enameled
cloth is cemented down; the hive is sealed; in
deed, the bees pack themselves, and if the bee
master does not add anything it is reasonably
sure that they will survive the rgor of winter.
But they cannot have too much warmth in mid
winter ont of doors, therefore the half-story COW
er is filled with sawdust, chaff or leaves.
Top ventilation is not required and top pack
ing is the only packing required The hive, OF
course, Is in the open air on the summer stand.
On the north and west there should be break
wind, and between it and the hives may be piled
leaves, weeds or hay. Bee keepers differ as to
the entrance in winter but in the writer's apiary,
the entrances have been, every winter, left wide
open and the result could not be better. The
bee keeper should bear in mind that the ''let
alone policy is good policy to follow, partcu-
larly after his bees have been prepared for win
ter.