Rocky Ford enterprise., 1896-01-23
FSInter'nG Fees.

are put Into caves dug IN the sronnu.
while In the South bees winter safely
upon the summer stands. without any
preparation. In the more temperate
climate where sudden changes take
place bees must be protected by some
method.
The writer has had but little ex-
perience in cellar wintering. rs he soon
found that for best results 1t was oec-
essary that bees. when carried from tho
cellar In the spring. be protected from
the sudden changes OF temperature at
that time of year, to accomplish which
packing In chaff or some other material
must be resorted to. especially II the
colonies are rearing brood. which Is
often the case.
In cellar wintering 1t is desirable. In
fact essential, that n portion Of the
cellar be used which will be disturbed
rs little as possible during the long
winter, for perfect quietness Is very
essential condition. A place shoult be
selected where the temperature cas- be
tn a measure regulated and where Fees
are free from sudden changes snd
draughts Of air.
Colonies should be taken to the cell
lar when settled cold Is likely to set
In. usually by the middle of November
sometimes earlier and sometimes liter
l have always thought 1t best to have
a chan cushion over the frames wher
bees are In the cellar. to absorb wois-
t1re-the roof of the hive being left
on. Place the hives on platform from
IS inches to two feet from the &C llai
bottom, with the bottom removed OF
at least inch blocks placed under the
corners Of the hives to allow of Ten
I have also found sawdust scatt' red
over the cellar bottom good thins to
help In keeping the cellar sweet as
the bees, that crawl from the hivh to
die are thus kept from the ground. and
instead of moulding and creating a
stencil. they wither and dry up.
Remember to provide an entrance Tor
the bees to pass out and In at any tine,
which is done with n little bridge
we call 1t, to fit closely over the en-
trance to the hive SO that mice cal not
enter to disturb the bees. which they
are very apt to do II they have the
least chance.
The roof must be made to fit cioaeiy,
SO as to keep out rain and snow. but
great care is required. and 1t is fery
important that the roof be SO construct
ed that there will be plenty of space
over the packing so that the moisture
caused by condensation will rise, which
1t would not do II the roof touches the
packing.
1t is perhaps best to bore inch holes
into each gable end Of the roof. cover
ing the hole with wire cloth. which will
admit the passage of current OF air
over the chaff; this will keep the Gus
ter Of bees dry, and bees never freeze
II they are kept dry.
We are now ready to place the hive
into the packing box, which can be
done at any time when everything is
dry and the day is not too warm. so
that flying bees Interfere; but it should
be done before settled cold weather
There will be less lifting of hives IL
the bottom board of the outside cas- is
loose, so that it can be slipped under
the hive when it is raised. the outside
being placed over the whole: this Is
not material, as 1t is no great trial OF
strength for person to place the hive
into the outside case. Care should be
used to avoid jarring the hive. If you
would avoid trouble.
The packing, whatever it may be 1.-THE
writer prefers wheat chaff). should be
pressed around the hive rather lightly
II too compact it is more apt to aold
moisture. Provision must be made sc
that bees can pass from one comb tc
another; this could have been done be.
tore by making hole through the
combs toward the top, but the same enc
Is served and the comb is not mutilitet
with what beekeepers' supply deslers
call Hills Device" If this is moi
at hand, tack sticks of wood, one hall
Inch square, two or three inches Wide
long enough to reach nearly across
the frames; place this crosswise the
frames, sticks down. This will atmit
of bees passing from comb to coms tc
get honey in cold time, which they
would not do If they had to pass around
the combs. Where such provision is
not made bees often starve while sur.
rounded with plenty. Even corn-cobs
ldlu uCl oSS lhS - "A'A SAAo' ~ ~..~
same purpose.
Now spread your burlap cloth or any
porous cloth over hive, bees and all
and fill in chaff-better about six inch
es thick-lap the edges of cloth rack
into the box, and If occasion dema nds
you can easily get at the bees. The
less they are disturbed the better, II
they have been properly attended TO.
Planting Trees on Waste Ground =
There is a great amount of land on
most farms which is practically waste
Some of this is hilly ground which is
not profitable to till, and of very little
use as pasture. Such lands with lit
tie care could have trees started on
them which in short time would re-
uuire no attention. Then, there arc
also places where windbreaks would
be desirable, and shade along the road
and lanes. In view of the fact that our
source of lumber and timber supply Is
gradually and surely being contracted,
and that these materials are constant
ly appreciating in value, it Is the die
tate of wisdom to provide new sup
ply. But do not plant fruit trees IN
such places. On account of the many
diseases and insects to which these are