The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-01-17
Wintering Bees.

J. W. Robertson in Olympia Standard.
We have, as rule, in Western Washing
ton very favorable winters. The climate Is
so mild that the expense of wintering Is
nearly nothing as compared with the states
where the ground Is frozen to a. depth of
two feet during three or four months.
Last winter our bees were out lively after
pollen the 22d Of February. Moving bees
almost always causes some loss, therefore,
the summer stand is the better place to
winter them when properly protected. And
provided, too, that the drainage Is good.
or better still, that you have good and
sufficient roof over them. But If you are
an agricultural college professor and allow
your bees to digest the nectar, to mako
honey of 1t, you can do just as well with a.
roof whose shingles are nailed on the fog.
If had bee that digested the nectar, r
would drown him and eat fish instead of
honey. OF course, you made careful ex-
animation of each colony last fall as soon
as the honey flow ceased, to make yourself
sure that each had good queen, lots of
bees and from 20 to Is pounds
of honey. A very large colony should have
thirty pounds. If by accident any were
without queen or sufficient stores, thew
were then united with colony which had.
Now they are on their summer stands with
the hives fronting toward II o'clock with
the rear end one inch higher than the
front. Now If the drainage is not perfect.
make 1t 50 as soon as you put I'D a good.
even If temporary roof, and enclose ali
sides, except the east side, which may be
left open. This temporary work should all
be taken away as soon as the April show
ers cease, as 1t adds but little if any tn
a mans reputation. or the appearance of
the farm If you have but ten colonies.
you will see the need Of a good, substantial
house.
The cost for materials and labor both
will never be regretted. If you are living
in town and have but little room, a good.
neat shed will do, but it will do for nothing
else, either in town or on the farm. A
house 16x4S and 10 feet high to the plate or
square, will hold both summer and winter.
fifty colonies of bees. The first and only
floor may be seven feet from the ground.
The ground may be covered two inches
deep with clean dry cedar sawdust. A good
bearing is made of Ike on their edges tina
right distance apart to receive the hives,
the rear one being one inch higher than
the front one, which may rest on the
ground and VIII raise the hives Just right
to work at Put In no windows except in
the gable ends to light the upper rooms,
Rustic the north side close, leaving no
opening. Leave the east end of the lower
story, or bee room, open If you wish:
otherwise cover half the space, as also the
south side and west end, with rustic, COW
ering the remaining space with rolling
doors made Of rustic which may be closed
In winter. The room above will be most
useful to store fixtures, empty hives, tools,
etc, as any tranping or work done there
will not disturb the bees. If they are not
moved from their summer stand or dis
turbed, they are not so liable to be dis
eased or to spring dwindling. Leave just
room enough to walk or work between the
rear ends of the hives and the north wall
of the house. Place the fronts of the hives
In the other TOW close to the south wall.