Cortland, O., Feb. 14, 1892.
OUR EXTRACTOR
WINTERING ON SUMMER STANDS.
The question of wintering is always of interest and for that reason is always seasonable. In treating the question I do not expect to give any new points to experts, but many of the readers of this magazine are beginners, and are looking to this valuable journal for information on this as well as on all other apicultural matters. Many successful apiarists of large experience claim that all wintering should be done in cellars, or other special depositories; with these I have no quarrel, but never having wintered except on summer stands, I am unable to speak thereof from personal experience. One objection to this plan of wintering I can well imagine will force itself into the minds of a large majority, viz.: the expense required to fit up as it should be fitted, with regard to ventilation and temperature, such a special depository as is necessary in order to guarantee success and the objection of itself will probably prevent that majority from incurring the required expense.
For the benefit of the same majority I will give in detail the plan of wintering on summer stands, adopted by myself with perfect success, and which I have made use of for eighteen years or more, and that too on Langstroth frames, with single walled seventh-eight inch pine hives.
As theories in regard to matters connected with apiculture are of little consequence when compared with actual facts. I will not attempt to theorize now, but will detail the facts for the use of any who may desire to know them.
When the honey season ends, which with myself is about the 10th of September, I examine the condition of every colony, crowd each colony on to seven frames I intend they shall all be strong enough to cover fully that number and see that each frame is at least filled with sealed stores in its upper half the whole length. Later on when I get ready to back for winter I extract if necessary from those combs that are more than two-thirds filled with stores and combs throughout the brood chamber are equalized and placed in a position where the colony can at times get at them if desired. When the temperature falls so low that the colony begins to cluster closely I force the cluster to one side or other of the brood chamber, which can easily be done, by moving the frames on which the cluster is formed. Prior to this, however, I have stimulated the queen by feeding regularly each day a small amount of sugar syrup, and thus kept the colony rearing brood as long as possible.
After the cluster is forced to the side of the hive I place a “Hill’s Device,” or some substitute therefor, over the frames, and cover the bees with a light porous blanket. Burlap or cotton duck is as good as anything for this purpose. The “Hill’s Device” under the blanket forms a means of communication for the bees with every frame in the hive, and that too without danger of becoming chilled. As the hive in use is wide enough for ten frames I use one and a half inch division board in each side of the hive, which allows the seven frames to be spread apart a little more than desirable for summer use. After covering the frames in closely so that not a bee can show his head outside, I put on an upper story and fill it one-third full of forest leaves pressed lightly down, and use a cover with one and a half inch hole bored in each end for ventilation.
I give a large entrance, using a bridge about four inches wide for the bees to crawl under, which prevents the easy access of sudden draughts into the hive. The only other protection than that prescribed above, found in my apiary is a close osage hedge, six feet high on the north and west sides. With the above means of protection my bees have withstood the rigors of our eastern winters for years, with a temperature varying from 20 degrees above to 20 degrees below zero, and some seasons without a purifying flight from middle of November to middle of the following February. Many mornings with the thermometer below zero in January I have found a warm current of air being forced out from the entrance, so strong as to be perceptibly felt upon the back of the hand. I know not and care not whether others may agree with me or not, I state the facts as I find them, and have no hesitation whatever in advising every beginner to follow the methods outlined above.—J. E. P. in B. K. M., (Mass.)