Marble Hill press. (Marbel [sic] Hill, Mo.) 1881-1923, 1896-01-30

, oitOuIu De SlOW 10 lllnk OF changing
Z" some other method, writes Geo. Spit
;cr.
In the more northern ATTITUDES bees
| are put into caves dug in the ground,
while in the South bees winter safely
upon the summer stands, without any
| preparation. In the more temperate
climate where sudden changes take
Lace bees must be protected by some
method.
The writer has had but little ex-
2erience in cellar wintering. as he soon
round that for best results it was nee
assary that bees, when carried from the
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 if the
colonies are rearing brood, which is
| often the case.
In cellar Wintering it is desirable in
| fact essential, that a portion of the
cellar be used which will be disturbed
as little as possible during the long
winter, fer perfect quietness is a very
essential condition. A place should be
selected where the temperature can be
IN measure regulated and where bees
are free from sudden changes and
draughts of air
Colonies should be taken 10 the Gel
lar when settled cold is likely to set
III, usually by the middle of November,
sometimes earlier and sometimes later.
l have always thought it best to have
a chatf cushion over the frames when
bees are in the cellar, to absorb mois-
ture-the roof Of the hive being left
off. Place the hives on a platform from
Is inches to two feet from the cellar
bottom, with the bottom removed, or
at least inch blocks placed under the
corners of the hives to allow of VEN
tllation and the removal of dead bees.
have also found sawdust scattered
over the cellar bottom good thing to
help in keeping the cellar sweet, as
the bees that crawl from the hive 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 for
the bees to pass out and in at any time,
which is done with little bridge"
we call it, to fit closely over the en-
trance to the hive SO that mice cannot
enter to disturb the bees, which they
are 49, --...s ct tn dn if they have the
least chance. ----------------'-
The roof must be made to fit closely,
| SO as to keep out rain and snow, but
| great care is required, and it is very
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
it would cot do if 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 a current of air
over the chaff; this will Keep the clus-
ter of bees dry, and bees never freeze
If 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 If
the bottom board of the outside case 10
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 it iseno great trial of
| strength for a 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 (the.
| writer prefers wheat chaff), should be
pressed around the hive rather lightly;
if too compact it is more apt to hold
moisture. Provision must be made so
| that bees can pass from one comb to
! another; this could have been done be-
fore by making hole through the
combs toward the top, but the same end
is served and the comb is not mutilated
with what beekeepers' supply dealers
call Hills device" II this is not
at hand, tack sticks Of wood, one-half
inch square, two or three inches wide,
long enough TO reach nearly across
the frames; place this crosswise the
frames, sticks down. This will admit
Of bees passing from comb to comb 10
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
laid across the frames will answer the
same purpose.
Now spread your burlap cloth or any
porous cloth over hive, bees and all,
and fill in chaff-better about six inch
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