§ XX. WINTER PRECAUTIONS.
The most important of these is the one discussed in the preceding section. There are, however, several other points which it is of consequence for the apiarian to observe.
First of all the hive itself must be suitably protected against climate, and if it be not of a description adapted to preserve warmth, a transfer must be made to one that is. Matting or other fencework may be erected to keep off piercing winds, and hay bands may be wound around the hives. Some hives constructed Of glass are unsuited for winter occupation—even when kept within doors success is difficult and doubtful. They must be well wrapped up and covered in, and yet ventilation be allowed, for unless the moisture can pass off it will condense upon the inside of the glass, thus causing the combs to grow mouldy and directly interfering with the health of the bees. The use of such hives as the unicomb is best restricted to four months in the year, when bees are most active and interesting in their operations. An artificial swarm should be put into such a hive in May or June, and taken out again in September—never later, for there are often cold nights in October, when, the bees and brood being in near contact with the glass, and not being able to cluster as is their natural wont, they suffer greatly from the variations of temperature.
The population of each hive must also be well looked to, and if needful the uniting processes ([page 229]) must be carried out before the Michaelmas feeding. Hives that are to be so united should be gradually brought near together, if not so already.
The innermost combs, having been the ones most employed for breeding, will now be the ones least occupied with honey. It is therefore advisable to transpose them with fuller ones, in order to keep the bees clustered in the centre. They must not, however, have drone comb thus given them. In order to give them communication through the combs, "the apiarian should," says Langstroth, " late in the fall, cut with a penknife a hole an inch in diameter in the centre of each comb, about one-third from the top." This is for the purpose of allowing the bees in cold weather to move in a body, without going outside the frames, from combs where they have consumed the food to others that have honey within reach.
Ventilation is of great moment, but if the hive allows of its being given at the top, the entrance may then be narrowed so as only just to give free passage to the bees. Holes the size of a pin's head will allow the moisture to escape, and these must be reopened as fast as they are propolised by the bees. The occurrence of a thaw is the time when ventilation is needed in its highest degree. It is a good plan to place a bell glass over the hole in the crown-board of a wooden hive, with a zinc trough round it to receive the condensed moisture. It is also requisite to clean the floor-board, say in February; but in this and other operations the bees should not be disturbed, for if they leave the hive when they are unable to fly properly, as is the case in very cold weather, they are likely to be lost.
What further directions belong to this head will be found in the next chapter under "Diseases" and "Enemies."' Mr. Langstroth has this comprehensive sentence, the italics in which are his own. "If the colonies are strong in numbers and stores, have upward ventilation, easy communication from comb to comb, and water when needed, and the hive entrances are sheltered from piercing winds, they have all the conditions essential to wintering successfully in the open air."
