The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1918-12-19
How to Get Best
Results From Bee
Winter Quarter


II IS often dirdcult for the ~boekeop-
err to know whether his bee cellar is
giving the best results. for he may not
have been able TO determine from
reading or observation of other cellars
whether Il rs satisfactory. Below nre
given "a few measures which the bee
Keeper may apply to his apiary and
his cellar. 80 that he may be able 10
decide whether his methods of cellar
wintering should be improved.
During the winter O Thermometer
Inserted in tho entrance Of the hive
should show a temperature OF al least
81 degrees Il.
There should never be any con
densed moisture on the overs of the
hives. and certainly never any IN the
bottoms.
While tho cellar should be kept
dark az all times. II "a candle IL held at
The entrance OF "A hive 80 the end OF
Januar" u should De several seconds
before ans Of the bees break cluster.
Frequently IN, cellar doors may be
opened in March without disturbing
the bees.
There should never be many dead
bees on the bottom of the hives. The
live bees should he able 20 push them
out az they die during the winter. The
bees thus carried out viii Doc found
ON the cellar floor lust below the eii-
trance. IT there are bees all over tho
floor. II shows hat these bees have
flown from the hivcs--an indication
OF poor winicring.
Tho bees should be quiet during tho
late winter. Noise al this tima indi-
Gates that tho bees arc disturbed by
an accumulation OF feccs. caused by
low temperatures or poor food.
IT the bees were IN good condition In
the TALL and have been wintcrcd Well,
the loss during the winter VIII never
he more than One-siXth OF the total
population OF the hive, Such a loss is
excessive. however, and In u wcii-wln-
tered colony II may be a. low as a
hundred bees. This probably depends
70 a large extent on tho age OF the
bees which go into winter. aud II the
temperature is right and the stores
good there Will BE- almost no loss OF
vigorous bees.
Tho bees should not leave the hive
while they are being carried from the
cellar. II they do, II indicates that
they arc excited by an accumulation
OF feccs.
Before removal from the cellar
there should be no spotting OF the
hives from dysentefy. There may be
a little spOtting after the hees have
had "A free flight outside. but II this is
small In amoun Il does not Indicate
a serious condition.
When tho bees arc taken from the
cellar there should be no moldy
combs, for the cellar at the right tenn
neraturo VIII be- too dry for the
growth OF molds.
There should be no brood when the
colonies are taken from the cellar.
Brood-rearing in tho cellar is proof
that the cellar IN too cold or that the
o used by the bees Is inferior.
Enough brood should be in each
colony az the opening OF the main
honoy-flow 90 IN completely ~ Lang.
stroth frames.
The population OF tho hive shpuid
not decrease apnreciahly after the
bees are removed from the cellar.
such "A condition. known as spring
dwindiing, Is an Indication OF poor
wintcring. For three weeks after the
hives are set out no new bees VIII be
emerging, but the loss of bees during
this time should be so small as not 10
be noticeable.