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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 59502 ***
+
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+
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+Transcriber Note
+
+Text emphasis denote by _Italics_. Whole and fractional parts of
+numbers as 35-5/8.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: The Preparation of BEES for OUTDOOR WINTERING]
+
+
+One of the most vital parts of the beekeeper's work is the preparation
+of bees for outdoor wintering. No other phase of beekeeping has so
+direct an influence on the honey crop of the following season.
+
+The apiary should be located in a protected place and the colonies
+should not be moved at the time of packing. Directions are given in
+this bulletin for the proper arrangement of the apiary to prevent
+confusion due to the shifting of hives.
+
+The amount and character of the packing materials and the most
+economical type of packing cases are discussed.
+
+A schedule of dates for packing and unpacking the hives is presented
+for all parts of the United States, and the amount and character of
+winter stores are indicated.
+
+It is important that none of the factors of good wintering be omitted,
+and several tests are given so that the beekeeper may determine whether
+his bees are wintering properly.
+
+
+  Contribution from the Bureau of Entomology
+
+  L. O. HOWARD, Chief
+
+  Washington, D. C.     September, 1918
+
+
+
+
+THE PREPARATION OF BEES FOR OUTDOOR WINTERING.
+
+
+E. F. Phillips, _Apiculturist_, and George S. Demuth, _Apicultural
+Assistant_.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+                                                  Page.
+
+  The essentials to success                          3
+
+  Necessity for strong colonies in the fall          4
+
+  Arrangement of the apiary                          4
+
+  Insulation of the hive                             6
+
+  Arrangement within the hive                       11
+
+  Winter schedule                                   14
+
+  Winter stores                                     18
+
+  All the factors of good wintering are needed      19
+
+  Measures of success in wintering                  20
+
+
+No problem confronting the beekeeper in most parts of the United States
+is of more importance than the proper wintering of bees, yet it is one
+which is sadly neglected. It is urged that before attempting to make
+packing cases for the wintering of bees the beekeeper study Department
+Bulletin 93, Temperature of the Honeybee Cluster in Winter, and
+Farmers' Bulletin 695, Outdoor Wintering of Bees.
+
+
+
+
+THE ESSENTIALS TO SUCCESS.
+
+
+The essentials to success in caring for a normal colony of bees from
+the end of one season's honey-flow to the beginning of the next lie in
+providing three things in abundance: (1) Stores of good quality, (2)
+protection from wind and cold, and (3) room for the rearing of brood at
+appropriate times. These factors are all of the greatest importance,
+and an omission of any one of them may prevent completely the gathering
+of the honey crop of the following year, and if any of the factors
+are given in less degree the honey crop invariably is reduced. The
+importance of these essentials does not apply equally at all times
+from the end of one season to the beginning of the next, but at some
+time they are all vitally essential; and it is the purpose of this
+bulletin to show how all three may be given in the early fall, so that,
+without further handling, the colonies will come through the spring
+with the maximum population. If, for example, the room for breeding is
+not provided in the fall, it becomes necessary to handle the colony
+early in the spring, and this may be detrimental. Similarly, it is the
+practice of some beekeepers to add to the stores of the colony in the
+spring, rather than to leave enough in the fall to last until new
+honey comes in. This is dangerous for two reasons: Too often the stores
+are not given on time or in adequate quantity, and frequently they can
+not be given without exposing the colony too greatly. It is therefore
+the best practice by far to provide all of these factors in the fall,
+and no other methods are so safe and certain of success. By practicing
+the methods here given the enormous annual loss of colonies in winter
+may be almost entirely eliminated, and, what is more important, much
+stronger colonies may be obtained for the early sources of honey.
+
+
+
+
+NECESSITY FOR STRONG COLONIES IN THE FALL.
+
+
+A common cause of loss is through attempting to winter colonies that
+are too small. It is somewhat difficult to set a standard for colony
+strength at this season, but in general it may be stated that it is
+unwise to attempt to winter colonies that are not strong enough to have
+brood sufficient to fill three to four Langstroth frames two months
+before the packing is applied. If the colonies in the apiary are not of
+the proper strength it is wise to unite until the proper strength is
+reached. Any uniting should be done at least two weeks before packing.
+There is a tendency in some localities for colonies to weaken rapidly
+in early fall, due to the nature of the honey-flow from fall flowers.
+To some degree this may be offset by putting on the packing earlier
+than otherwise would be necessary.
+
+It is highly important that each colony have a vigorous queen in order
+that brood-rearing may continue in the fall and may proceed rapidly
+in the spring. With colonies such as are obtained by the methods here
+described it is not desirable to keep queens more than two years and
+it is preferable to requeen the entire apiary every season. To get the
+best results in requeening all young queens should be introduced so
+that they will begin laying two months before packing. It will be found
+that queens wear out more rapidly in the unusually strong colonies
+obtained by the methods of wintering here described, but every good
+beekeeper realizes that it is these enormous colonies which get the
+greatest crops.
+
+
+
+
+ARRANGEMENT OF THE APIARY.
+
+
+WIND PROTECTION.
+
+It is of the greatest importance that the apiary be located where the
+wind in winter is virtually eliminated. A grove of trees or an adjacent
+hill usually offers the best protection, or it is possible to make an
+artificial windbreak such as a high fence. A natural windbreak usually
+is better, for it is more extensive in most cases. It has been found
+by the authors that if a wind of 20 miles an hour blows on the winter
+packing cases for a few hours the temperature of the inside of the
+packed hive may be greatly reduced and may even fall as low as that of
+an unpacked hive. Too much reliance should not be placed in buildings
+as windbreaks, for they often serve simply to divert the wind slightly
+and may even make conditions worse. A fence made of close boards
+usually is unsatisfactory for it causes whirls that may destroy many
+colonies. A heavy blanket of snow serves to reduce the effect of the
+wind.
+
+[Illustration: Fig. 1.--Colonies of bees in summer position in groups
+of four. This arrangement is advantageous whether or not the bees are
+wintered in four-colony packing cases.]
+
+
+ARRANGEMENT OF THE HIVES.
+
+In arranging the hives in an apiary it is necessary to take into
+account the method of wintering to be followed. If the bees are to
+be wintered in the four-colony cases to be described later the hives
+should be kept in groups of four all the season (fig. 1), for if
+colonies are moved more than a foot just before packing and then
+moved again as they are unpacked there is a considerable amount of
+"drifting"--that is, bees from some colonies join other colonies during
+flight, and the result is an actual reduction of the number of colonies
+and of bees in the apiary. A failure to keep the colonies properly
+arranged for their winter stands during the entire summer is a common
+cause of failure in using the four-colony cases. Whatever type of case
+is used for outdoor wintering, the bees should occupy the same place
+during the entire year.
+
+Since the outside of the winter case is quite different an appearance
+from the hives the bees often are somewhat confused. To prevent
+drifting from this cause it is a good plan to set a large stake between
+the two entrances on each end of the four-colony winter cases; this
+will serve to help the bees in orienting themselves during flights
+in winter and especially in spring. If it is possible to plant some
+shrubbery among the hives it is a good plan to have the plants arranged
+so that they will act as markers for the bees during these early
+flights (fig. 3). They will not be amiss during the summer, and, if
+properly placed, they need not interfere with movement through the
+apiary during the summer's work, while they add to its attractiveness.
+
+
+
+
+INSULATION OF THE HIVE.
+
+
+AMOUNT OF PACKING NEEDED.
+
+It is impossible to insulate bees too heavily during the winter. It
+is obvious, however, that the beekeeper will not want to put on more
+packing than is practically necessary. For a climate such as that of
+Washington, D. C., it is found desirable to provide 4 inches of packing
+underneath the hives, 6 inches on all sides, and 8 or more inches on
+top. In warmer climates less will be needed, but the beekeeper must not
+think that simply because he lives south of Washington he can be safe
+with less packing or none at all. There are many places farther south
+than Washington where more packing is needed, and there are, indeed,
+few places except along the Gulf or in southern California where less
+may be used if the best results are to be obtained.
+
+For more northern localities more protection is needed. The amount
+indicated for Washington has been used with success in places as cold
+as northern Ohio and even in Canada, but in these places the insulation
+during the coldest seasons is usually augmented by heavy snows. These
+are not at hand every winter, or may be lacking during the coldest part
+of the winter, and it is, therefore, wise to provide more packing,
+especially on the sides and top. For a climate such as that of New York
+or Wisconsin, 8 inches of good packing on the sides and 1 foot on the
+top probably will be enough for good wintering every year. The amounts
+recommended for the different zones of the United States are given in
+Table I (p. 15).
+
+A belief is current among many amateur beekeepers that good results may
+be obtained by using hives which have 2 inches of packing built in the
+sides and somewhat more on top. This amount is insufficient in winter
+in all parts of the country except the southern portions of the Gulf
+States. A common practice is to wrap some straw or corn fodder around
+the hives, but this may do more harm than good if the wind can blow
+directly through it. A covering of roofing paper with perhaps a little
+paper packing underneath is practically worthless in insulating value.
+
+
+TYPES OF PACKING MATERIAL.
+
+There is little difference in the insulating value of the various
+materials which may be obtained easily for the packing of hives in
+winter. Exaggerated claims have been made by some beekeepers for such
+materials as broken cork or certain commercial insulating materials,
+but it is safe to say that there is not 25 per cent difference between
+the poorest and the best of the available insulating materials,
+provided, of course, that obviously poor things such as corn fodder
+and straw be eliminated. Sawdust, fine planer shavings, forest leaves,
+chaff, broken cork, and such materials may be used, the choice
+depending chiefly on the availability of the materials. In general
+it may be stated that the smaller and the more numerous the dead air
+spaces confined in the packing, the greater will be its efficiency in
+insulation. If forest leaves are used they must be gathered the year
+before and stored, as the leaves fall some time after the bees should
+be packed. If sawdust is used it is best not to pack it down tight, but
+if forest leaves or planer shavings are employed it is essential that
+they be packed in closely and that the containers be completely filled.
+Broken cork, such as is used in the shipping of certain types of
+grapes, is good and has the advantage that it does not hold moisture as
+does sawdust. In all cases the packing should be placed in some sort of
+box which will be rain-proof and thus protect the insulation from rains
+and snow, for all insulating materials lose part of their efficiency
+when wet.
+
+
+BOTTOM PACKING.
+
+There has been considerable discussion among beekeepers as to the value
+of placing packing material below the bottom boards of the hives. This
+is usually provided by placing the hives on 2 by 4 inch supports or on
+racks of 4-inch material. Those who have opposed this have pointed out
+that "heat rises," overlooking the fact that while warm air attempts
+to rise, if this is impossible other avenues of escape of warm-air
+currents may be set up. Furthermore, and more important, they have
+overlooked the important fact that heat escapes from the hive not only
+by convection currents but by conduction and radiation as well. In an
+extensive series of experiments performed by the writers it was found
+that in hives packed at the top and sides most of the heat escapes
+through the bottom boards; in fact, this was so noticeable that the
+packing at the top and sides never served its full purpose so long as
+heat was escaping rapidly at the bottoms. It may be stated, therefore,
+that so long as the bottoms are unprotected there is little insulating
+value in materials piled on the top and sides beyond about 2 inches.
+This amount is insufficient for most parts of the United States,
+therefore bottom packing should be considered as absolutely essential
+wherever bees are packed.
+
+To get the value of bottom packing it is absolutely essential that the
+entrance be reduced, but it need not be closed. In a long series of
+temperature readings on hives packed for several winters, the authors
+were able to keep a temperature of 50° F. on the bottom boards of
+packed hives directly behind the entrance openings. Those who have
+condemned bottom packing have labored under the mistaken notion that it
+is impossible to prevent currents of cold air through the entrance.
+This is entirely possible if the entrances are adequately reduced. The
+conclusion to be drawn from the experiments performed is that unless
+the bottoms of hives are well packed, the beekeeper ought not to
+imagine that he has packed his hives at all well.
+
+[Illustration: Fig. 2.--The winter packing cases used in the Bureau
+of Entomology apiary: _a_, Detail of tunnel to hives. In the
+specifications given in this Bulletin (p. 9) provision is made for room
+for a third hive body to be added in the spring.]
+
+
+THE PACKING CASE.
+
+There is no virtue in any special type of case, but in all types there
+are a few points which must be observed. There must be provision for
+abundant packing on the top, bottom, and sides, the entrances must be
+small, the case must be rain-proof, and the construction of the case
+should be such that it may be taken apart and put together easily.
+The parts of various cases used in one series of apiaries should be
+interchangeable. The authors have refrained in the past from giving
+explicit directions for making a winter packing case for fear that some
+beekeepers might think that there may be peculiar virtue in the case
+used and recommended by the department (fig. 2). So many beekeepers,
+however, have written for exact dimensions for making the case used in
+the apiary of the Bureau of Entomology that it is considered best to
+give these in this bulletin.
+
+In order that protection adequate for bees in a climate such as that of
+Washington may be provided, 4 inches of packing below the bottom board,
+6 inches on all sides, and at least 8 inches on top are desired. There
+is advantage in packing several colonies together, in order that they
+may warm each other and to reduce the cost of the case and the labor of
+putting it on. The bureau, therefore, has adopted the four-colony type
+of case which has been much used for years in all parts of the country.
+In this case, two colonies face east and two west. Provision is made
+for wintering all colonies in two full-depth hive bodies.
+
+In the following dimensions it is assumed that 13/16-inch
+tongued-and-grooved lumber is used, that the 10-frame Langstroth hive
+is in use, and that two hive bodies are employed for each colony, with
+adequate space above the hive so that, if needed, a third hive body may
+be put on before time for the removal of the packing. In this packing
+case the sides overlap the ends. For hives of other sizes the lumber
+must be cut so as to provide the packing specified in Table I (p. 15).
+For zones F and G (fig. 5) provision should be made for additional
+packing by increasing the length of all parts 4 inches, and for zone C
+a correspondingly smaller case may be made.
+
+  Bottom of case          44 Inches (exact) by 52 Inches (exact).
+  Sides of case           53-5/8 Inches (exact) by 35-5/8 Inches (minimum).
+  Ends of case            44 Inches (exact) by 35-5/8 Inches (minimum).
+  Telescope cover of case 48 Inches by 56 Inches (minimum).
+
+If 6-inch boards (laying 5-1/2 inches) are used, it is desirable to use
+7 boards for the height of the case; if 8-inch boards (laying 7-1/2
+inches) are used, 5 will be sufficient. In figure 2 only 6 boards,
+laying 5-1/2 inches, are shown, but in this case no allowance is made
+for a third hive body in the spring. For the telescoping part of the
+cover, 4-inch boards are used.
+
+As was pointed out earlier, the hives should rest throughout the summer
+on the floor of the winter case (fig. 1). The plan of putting them in
+groups of four, two facing east and two west, has much to commend it
+during the entire year. The bottom therefore should be made strong
+enough to stand the weight of four colonies without getting out of
+shape. Since this weight may be over 1,000 pounds in a good year, it
+is advised that the cleats on the bottom of the case be of 2 by 4 inch
+material. The supports of the bottom and the position of the cleats
+should be arranged so that the weight will not rest too largely on the
+boards, and the stones or bricks used should be directly under the
+center of the hives when they are in their summer position. Obviously
+the hives will be moved to the outer corners of the bottom during the
+summer to facilitate handling.
+
+The sides of the case should be so constructed that the cleats which
+hold the boards together will serve to support the overlapping sides
+on the bottom. This is clearly shown in figure 2. There should also
+be a central cleat on the sides to prevent warping, for the cases
+must be rain-proof. If cleats are properly placed as shown in the
+illustration, they make the equivalent of a halved joint at the
+corners. The sides may be held in place and together by nails or by
+any sort of special hook. The entrances for the colonies during winter
+should be in the ends of the case, as shown. These will be discussed
+later.
+
+The top of the case may be made to telescope over the sides, as shown
+in figure 2, or it may be made in any other way desired so that it is
+adequate to keep the packing absolutely dry throughout the winter. The
+telescope cover has much to commend it, especially in the case with
+which the covers may be stored in summer. The top of the wooden cover
+should be covered with a roofing paper of first quality in order that
+the protection will last for years. If the telescope type of cover
+is used, no cleats other than the sides and ends of the telescoping
+portion will be needed.
+
+[Illustration: Fig. 3.--An apiary packed for winter in four-colony
+cases such as are used in the Bureau of Entomology apiary.]
+
+A tunnel (fig. 2, a) is also needed through which the bees may pass on
+warm days and to permit ventilation. This is best made of two boards,
+one the width of the packing (e. g., 6 inches) and the other this width
+loss the extension of the bottom board. In most cases this extension
+is 2 inches, so the lower board will be 4 inches wide. These are held
+apart by strips three-eighths of an inch thick. This is the height of
+the usual hive entrance in winter, and the passage between the boards
+is therefore the same height as the hive entrance. In order that the
+tunnel may not get out of alignment, these strips are continued back,
+as shown in the figure, and these projections extend into the hive
+entrances at the corners. The arrangement for keeping alignment at the
+outer edge is discussed under "The entrance" (p. 13).
+
+
+SINGLE OR DOUBLE CASES.
+
+For those having only a few colonies, it is not always convenient to
+build cases for colonies in groups of four. It is not necessary to
+give dimensions in detail for those having a few colonies, however,
+for they will usually wish to use whatever they have at hand. It is
+often possible to arrange a heavy wooden box, such as those used for
+shipping dry goods (fig. 4), so as to make a winter case for one colony
+which will answer every purpose. It is, of course, necessary that the
+salient feature of a good winter case be preserved. If the arrangement
+of the apiary makes it inconvenient to have the colonies in groups of
+four throughout the year, it is quite possible to make good cases for
+two colonies. Anything other than the four-colony case, however, will
+probably cost more per colony, or if too many colonies are put into
+larger cases there may be trouble from other causes, as from drifting.
+
+[Illustration: Fig. 4.--An improvised winter case for one colony.]
+
+
+
+
+ARRANGEMENT WITHIN THE HIVE.
+
+
+CAPACITY OF THE WINTER HIVE.
+
+As has been pointed out, bees need room for breeding in the fall and
+again in the spring. During the winter season there is no brood-rearing
+in normal colonies which are adequately protected, and room for
+breeding therefore is not essential during the winter. If the bees are
+to have room for the proper development of colony strength, however,
+they should have two hive bodies each of 10-frame Langstroth size by
+about the beginning of April in most parts of the country, and earlier
+in the South. In order that it may be unnecessary to open colonies
+during a period of such unsettled weather as obtains at this season,
+it is advised that the room for breeding be provided in the fall and
+left with the bees all winter. To make this a safe procedure, it is
+necessary to provide more packing than would be necessary if the colony
+were provided with only enough room for the cluster and winter stores
+during the winter. It has been found desirable also to leave more
+stores with the bees than have been left by many beekeepers, and this
+is additional reason for the giving of more room during the winter.
+
+It is recommended, therefore, that in all parts of the United States
+colonies of full strength be wintered in two hive-bodies of 10-frame
+Langstroth size. They should, of course, be provided with abundant
+protection and the entrances should be reduced.
+
+
+SPACE ABOVE THE FRAMES.
+
+Formerly it was commonly recommended that corn cobs, or other objects
+designed for the purpose, be placed above the top bars of the frames,
+and then that quilts be placed over these. The purpose of these
+objects, was to lift the quilts so that the bees could pass over the
+tops of the frames. In former years it was advised that holes be bored
+through the combs to permit passage from one space to the other. Of
+late years these things have been abandoned, to a large degree, for
+it is known now that if bees are packed as they should be they may
+pass easily at all times to any part of the hive as need arises. It
+is often stated that bees die of starvation in the hives when there
+is abundant honey not many inches away from the cluster. This, of
+course, never happens in colonies that are well packed. In colonies
+that are adequately protected there is no better plan than simply to
+leave the regular wooden cover in place and sealed down by the bees.
+Quilts directly over the frames are a nuisance at any time, and during
+the winter they are of no value for upward ventilation in well packed
+colonies and should be used only as a poor makeshift for good packing.
+
+
+UPWARD VENTILATION.
+
+A common practice has been to remove the hive cover when the bees are
+packed for winter and to cover the frames with burlap or some such
+porous material, the object being to allow the escape of any moisture
+which may be generated within the hive during the winter. Moisture is
+being generated constantly as the bees consume the honey stores, but if
+the bees are adequately packed the amount of moisture will be reduced
+to the minimum. The chief dancer, of course, is from moisture which
+condenses, and in an adequately packed hive there is no condensation.
+The temperature never goes low enough for water vapor to condense.
+Therefore it is obvious that upward ventilation for the escape of
+moisture is never needed in hives that are packed as they should be.
+Any beekeeper who has had trouble in the past with condensed moisture
+in the hives, or with wet packing over the porous tops, may be sure
+that he has not provided enough packing material.
+
+Another thing is to be considered in connection with the subject of
+upward ventilation. The entrances to the hives must be greatly reduced
+in order that there may not be excessive loss of heat at that point. If
+upward ventilation is provided, there is opportunity for the wind to
+blow through even the small entrance, through the hive and out through
+the porous cover. This current of air will be slight but nevertheless
+it exists, and serves as an avenue for the escape of considerable heat.
+
+If insufficient packing is provided, upward ventilation becomes almost
+necessary, unless a large entrance is left. The beekeeper must see to
+it that he is providing adequate packing material before he gives up
+the upward ventilation, but he should not count his bees well packed
+for winter so long as he must provide for the escape of condensed
+moisture.
+
+
+THE ENTRANCE.
+
+As has been pointed out, the entrances of hives must be greatly reduced
+during the winter in order that the efficacy of the bottom packing may
+be preserved. It is desirable, however, that provision be made for
+larger entrances during the early fall and again in the spring. To
+provide conditions suitable at all times while the packing cases are
+on, the Bureau of Entomology has adopted a type of entrance which to
+some extent has been used previously in the North. Five 3/8-inch anger
+holes are bored in the ends of the packing case at a height that will
+allow for the thickness of the case floor, the bottom packing, and the
+thickness of the bottom of the hive. This usually is a little over 6
+inches from the lower edge of the case ends. No alighting board should
+be placed at the outer entrance holes, as it is not needed and serves
+only to collect snow and ice.
+
+To prevent the tunnels from getting out of alignment at the outer
+edge, a peg of the diameter of the holes is inserted through the
+outer hole for each hive and into the tunnel (see fig. 2). This peg
+is usually about 2-1/2 inches long. This leaves four auger holes,
+each three-eighths of an inch in diameter, for the bees to use as an
+entrance during the fall and spring, and during the colder weather a
+piece of section material or a small board is tacked over three of
+the holes. (See fig. 3.) This gives in winter a single hole for an
+entrance, three-eighths of an inch in diameter. This provides a place
+for the bees to remove their dead, a place for flight on moderately
+warm days, and also provides adequate ventilation for the hive while
+the bees are confined without an opportunity for flight. However, the
+size of entrance should not be discussed without warning beekeepers
+that unless adequate packing is provided, such a small entrance may
+result in the death of the colony. Furthermore, a poorly packed
+colony will not be able to carry out the bees as they die, and the
+death rate will be higher; and these things combined may result in
+an accumulation of dead bees at the entrance, which will serve to
+suffocate the remaining bees. A colony that is well packed, however, is
+able to remove all dead bees as fast as they die, and there will never
+be an accumulation on the floor of the hive. Furthermore, a well-packed
+colony does not need so large an entrance for ventilation as does one
+that is not packed or which has not enough packing. If snow drifts over
+the small entrance here described, the beekeeper need have no anxiety,
+for the bees can still receive adequate ventilation. If a crust of
+ice closes the entrance it will be well to break it, but usually the
+escaping heat will melt this ice before any damage is done.
+
+[Illustration: Fig. 5.--Map of the eastern United States indicating
+average date of first killing frost in autumn. On this the zones for
+winter packing are based. No packing is recommended in zones A and B.]
+
+
+
+
+WINTER SCHEDULE.
+
+
+Great confusion has existed among beekeepers as to the right time
+to pack the bees for winter, and especially as to the right time to
+remove the packing in the spring. It is quite possible to give definite
+directions for both procedures and to place the recommendations on a
+firm foundation by basing them on weather phenomena. The maps (figs.
+5 and 6), showing the time of the first average killing frost in the
+fall, serve as a basis for the recommendations for each of the zones
+into which the map of the eastern United States is divided. Perhaps it
+will be a matter of surprise to beekeepers in parts of the South to see
+that, so far as the wintering of the bees is concerned, they are as far
+north as beekeepers who live many miles farther toward the pole.
+
+The lines on figure 5 indicate the average dates of the first killing
+frost in the fall, and these dates, given at the ends of the heavy
+lines, are of direct value to the beekeeper as giving the proper time
+for putting on the winter cases. The average dates of the last killing
+frost in the spring do not show exactly the same lines on the maps,
+but the differences are not sufficiently great to justify the use of
+a separate map for this purpose. The authors have chosen therefore to
+divide the country into the zones indicated, and the recommendations
+given below apply to each of the zones shown.
+
+On account of the variations in elevation, it is impossible to carry
+these lines into the Rocky Mountain region, but as packing is just as
+necessary in the West as in the East, figure 6 is inserted to indicate
+roughly the time for the putting on of the packing in the fall. The
+dates in this map are the average dates of the first killing frost. By
+consulting Table I the beekeeper of the West may learn the time advised
+for the removal of the packing, by placing his locality in its proper
+zone, on the basis of the first killing frost.
+
+Table I.--_Dates for the packing and unpacking of been in the various
+parts of the United States, board on data furnished by the Weather
+Bureau for the average dates of the first and last killing frosts. The
+amount of packing recommended for each zone is included._
+
+  ------+-------------+-----------+----------------+-----------------
+        |   Date for  | Date for  |   Packing      |
+   Zone.|   packing.  | unpacking.| recommended.[1]| Remarks.
+  ------+-------------+-----------+----------------+-----------------
+    A   |    .....    |   .....   |     .....      | None needed.
+    B   |    .....    |   .....   |     .....      |    Do.
+    C   | November 25 | March 15  |    2-4- 6      |
+    D   | November 10 | April 10  |    4-6- 8      |
+    E   | October 25  | May 1     |    4-6- 8      |
+    F   | October 1   | May 20    |    4-8-12      |
+    G   | September 15| June 1    |    4-8-12      | Cellar wintering
+        |             |           |                |   much safer.
+  ------+-------------+-----------+----------------+-----------------
+
+[1] In this column the first figure represents in inches the amount of
+packing needed below the bottom boards, the second the amount of side
+packing, and the last the amount needed on top.
+
+
+TIME FOR PUTTING ON THE WINTER PACKING.
+
+Frequently great loss of colony strength is due to delay in putting
+on the packing. Perhaps this is the most common source of loss in
+outdoor wintering aside from that due to a failure to pack the bees
+at all. Packing should not be deferred after the flowers furnishing
+the last honey are killed by frost. In case the late fall flowers
+furnish honey that is to be removed, then it is necessary to wait until
+nectar is no longer coming in before applying the packing, but it is
+indeed rare that the last honey should be taken away, and it is good
+beekeeping to apply the packing even before there is any frost at all.
+The determining factor is the necessity for handling the bees. If more
+stores must be given them or if some of the late honey is to be removed
+in order that it may be replaced by better honey or by sugar sirup,
+then handling of the bees after frost may be needed, but after the last
+essential handling it is much the best plan to pack the bees. In pints
+of the country where bees are wintered outdoors it is quite customary
+to delay packing until Thanksgiving Day, but this is too late by far
+except in the extreme South (zone C).
+
+It is safe, therefore, for the beekeeper to use the dates shown in
+figures 5 and 6 and the data given in Table I as a guide to the time
+of packing. He may be assured that if he delays packing later than the
+dates shown therein the bees will suffer by a loss of colony strength
+and vitality at a season of the year when they can ill afford to be
+weakened by neglect. Under no circumstances should packing be delayed
+more, than two weeks after the date given for each zone. Further, if
+packing is delayed until after cold weather begins, the disturbance of
+the colony may induce the beginning of brood-rearing, find this in turn
+may result in the death of the colony. If by chance a colony has been
+left unpacked until after the bees have been confined by cold weather
+for three or four weeks, the packing may do more harm than good.
+
+
+TIME FOR THE REMOVAL OF PACKING.
+
+If bees are given the right amount of room, stores, and protection
+early in the fall, nothing that the beekeeper can do will benefit
+them until it is necessary to handle them because of preparations for
+swarming or because of the incoming nectar. Of course if bees are well
+packed they get so strong in the spring that if crowded they begin
+preparations for swarming earlier than do colonies which have been
+neglected during the winter. By following the methods here described
+the season for swarm control is advanced, so that usually it is
+entirely passed before the honey-flow begins.
+
+In the region of Washington it has been found best not to remove the
+packing until at least May 1. Further south or in warmer regions it
+may be well to remove the packing earlier, but in localities such as
+New York or Wisconsin (zone F) the packing should be left in place
+until at least May 20, and usually until June 1. Obviously this will be
+impossible unless two hive bodies are left on the bees all winter, or
+unless more room is given in the early spring, before unpacking. It has
+been found that if the bees are allowed to remain in the cases until
+the dates named they may then be taken out ready for whatever nectar
+may come. By that time they should have 12 frames of brood--far more
+than is found in the average colony throughout the country oven in the
+midst of the honey-flow. Such colonies are so strong that if cooler
+weather comes after they are unpacked, as it sometimes does, they are
+not injured by it. Of course the bees would be as well of even better
+off if the packing could be left on throughout the year, but as yet no
+practicable way has been devised for giving the bees enough packing
+during the winter and then leaving it on throughout the summer. The
+commercial double-walled hives which have been devised for this purpose
+are all too scant in packing material for good results, and none of
+them can be recommended.
+
+[Illustration: Fig. 6.--Map of the western United States, showing
+variation in average date of first killing frost. For each locality
+the recommendations for packing and unpacking are the same as in
+corresponding zones in figure 5. The dryer atmosphere of most of the
+West does not diminish the need of packing. For localities where the
+first frost occurs after November 25 no packing is recommended.]
+
+The dates given for the removal of packing in the spring follow
+approximately the average dates of the last killing frost in the spring
+for each locality. In case local conditions make the removal of the
+packing unnecessary as early as the dates indicated, it is entirely
+safe to leave the packing on until some manipulation makes it desirable
+to handle the combs, as this can not well be done while the hives are
+heavily packed.
+
+
+
+
+WINTER STORES.
+
+
+In packing bees for winter two things require attention so far as
+stores are concerned, and one is as important as the other: (1)
+There must be plenty of honey in the hive to last until the spring
+honey-flow, and (2) the stores which will be used by the bees during
+the period of confinement in winter must be of the best quality and
+well ripened.
+
+It is, of course, possible to give the bees more honey or sugar sirup
+after spring opens, but this means that the colonies will need to
+be handled during this period, and this is not the best plan. It is
+commonly said among the best beekeepers that "the best time to do
+spring feeding is the fall before." The safest plan by all means is to
+allow each colony to have at least 45 pounds of honey at the time the
+bees are packed. They should then be allowed to keep any honey which
+may come in later, and it will be adequately ripened if the colony is
+well packed. This will be small in extent if they are packed at the
+right time, and the bees will also have their stores replenished by
+small amounts of honey which come in during the early spring before
+they are unpacked. This amount of stores for winter will seem large to
+many beekeepers who have been in the habit of leaving loss, but the
+object of the plans herein set forth is to have much stronger colonies
+than are found in the average apiary in the spring, and the amount of
+stores mentioned may be needed. The only places where beekeepers might
+have some reason to reduce the amount of stores are locations where the
+honey granulates quickly, in which event it can not be extracted later.
+Such honey, however, usually is as good for winter stores as if it
+were not granulated, and it may then be saved for stores the following
+winter. Forty-five pounds of honey on the hive is a better investment
+for the beekeeper than money in the bank, and more beekeepers make
+mistakes in this regard than anywhere else in the work of the year.
+Honey that is high in gums, as many of the honeys which come from
+various trees, is not good for winter stores. Honeydew honey is still
+less desirable. When either is present it is best to remove it and
+either to give frames of good honey to take its place or to feed about
+10 pounds of good honey or sirup made of granulated sugar after all
+brood-rearing has ceased. Honey or sugar sirup which is fed late is
+stored in the place where the last brood emerged; it is therefore the
+first of the stores that the bees use. As long as they are having good
+honey or sugar stores for winter use the condition known as dysentery
+will be warded off. Then, later, when they have used up the good
+stores, the weather will permit frequent flights, and then the less
+satisfactory stores will do no harm. Honeydew honeys usually may be
+detected by their bad taste, accompanied ordinarily by a dark, muddy
+appearance. In case of doubt as to the stores it is always safe to give
+good honey or sugar sirup. Unfortunately it is true that many of the
+fall honeys are not of the best quality for winter use, and this, in
+part, accounts for the heavy losses of bees occurring regularly in some
+parts of the country.
+
+
+
+
+ALL THE FACTORS OF GOOD WINTERING ARE NEEDED.
+
+
+One frequently encounters beekeepers who condemn winter packing,
+stating that they have tried it without success. The writers have met
+many such beekeepers, and many of them are good beekeepers in other
+respects. On careful inquiry it is learned that in all cases they have
+omitted some vitally important factor. The most common fault in winter
+packing is to leave the entrances of the hives wide open. This, of
+course, nullifies the benefit of the packing to a large degree, and
+one need not be surprised that these men do not find virtue in packing
+heavily. Another common fault in packing is to omit the packing from
+the bottom. Snow acts as an excellent insulation, but one can not
+be sure that there will be snow at just the right times, and it is
+therefore necessary, to insure good wintering, that good packing be
+placed on the bottoms.
+
+It is also common to face the hives to the south and then leave the
+fronts without packing, under the erroneous impression that since
+the heat from the sun will enter more readily, the colonies will be
+benefited more than they would be if they were heavily packed in
+front. To combat this view it should be necessary only to point out
+that the sun shines only a small fraction of the hours during winter.
+Furthermore, any place through which heat may enter easily serves also
+as a place through which heat escapes. In certain well-known cases the
+other factors of good wintering, strong colonies and good stores, are
+so well provided that the loss from this lack of protection is not
+detected, yet it is certain that in any such method of wintering there
+is a great loss of bee vitality, and the bees are compelled to do more
+work in heat generation than would be the case were they well packed.
+
+It can not be stated too strongly that the right way to winter bees is
+to provide all the factors needed, and not to omit any of them simply
+because in most years the bees can get through without all dying when
+less help is given. The three things necessary for successful earing
+for bees from the time they are packed until they are unpacked in the
+late spring are (1) plenty of protection, (2) plenty of stores of good
+quality, and (3) plenty of room for the building up of the colony
+strength in the spring. None of these may be omitted without reducing
+the colony strength in the spring, and, as every good beekeeper knows,
+it is the strong colonies which get the maximum crop.
+
+
+
+
+MEASURES OF SUCCESS IN WINTERING.
+
+
+It is often difficult for a beekeeper to know whether he is wintering
+his bees as well as he should, for he may not have been able to learn
+from reading or visiting other apiaries how well colonies may be
+brought through the winter. The writers therefore have attempted to
+give here a few measures which the beekeeper may apply to his apiary,
+that he may be able to decide whether his methods of wintering should
+be improved.
+
+1. When bees are adequately packed and protected from the wind, they
+are able to push out the dead bees as they die in winter. There should
+never be an accumulation of dead bees on the bottom board.
+
+2. A colony of full strength will have 12 Langstroth frames filled with
+brood by the time that the bees should be unpacked. The bees should not
+be taken from their cases until it is necessary to handle them, and if
+two hive bodies have been given each colony, unpacking may be deferred
+until time for the control of swarming or until the new honey is coming
+in freely. Sometimes it even happens that colonies need a third hive as
+a swarm prevention measure before it is time to remove the packing, in
+which case it can be given and the packing replaced, at least around
+the sides of the third hive body. Space for this is indicated in the
+dimensions given on page 9.
+
+3. A colony is not of proper strength for winter unless it has between
+three and four frames of brood two months before the time for putting
+on packing. Usually this will be six weeks before brood-rearing ceases.
+If there is less brood at that time it indicates either that the queen
+is not good or that the colony has been weakened from some other
+cause. If taken in time this condition may be remedied by adding brood
+or honey or by uniting. It is extravagant to attempt to winter weak
+colonies.
+
+4. If a thermometer is inserted into the hive through the auger hole
+entrance at the time of the coldest weather in winter it should
+show a temperature above the freezing point. At no time should the
+temperature of any part of the hive go below freezing, and the point
+just within the entrance is the most convenient one at which to take
+the temperature readings. The lowest temperature obviously will be at
+this point.
+
+
+
+
+THE PRESIDENT TO THE FARMERS OF AMERICA.
+
+[Extracts from President Wilson's message to the Farmers' Conference at
+Urbana, Ill., January 31, 1918.]
+
+
+The forces that fight for freedom, the freedom of men all over the
+world as well as our own, depend upon us in an extraordinary and
+unexpected degree for sustenance, for the supply of the materials by
+which men are to live and to fight, and it will be our glory when the
+war is over that we have supplied those materials and supplied them
+abundantly, and it will be all the more glory because in supplying them
+we have made our supreme effort and sacrifice.
+
+In the field of agriculture we have agencies and instrumentalities,
+fortunately, such as no other Government in the world can show. The
+Department of Agriculture is undoubtedly the greatest practical and
+scientific agricultural organization in the world. Its total annual
+budget of $10,000,000 has been increased during the last four years
+more than 72 per cent. It has a staff of 18,000, including a large
+number of highly trained experts, and alongside of it stand the
+unique land-grant colleges, which are without example elsewhere, and
+the 69 State and Federal experiment stations. These colleges and
+experiment stations have a total endowment of plant and equipment
+of $172,000,000 and an income or more than $35,000,000 with 10,271
+teachers, a resident student body of 125,000, and a vast additional
+number receiving instructions at their homes. County agents, joint
+officers of the Department of Agriculture and of the colleges, are
+everywhere cooperating with the farmers and assisting them. The
+number of extension workers under the Smith-Lever Act and under the
+recent emergency legislation has grown to 5,500 men and women working
+regularly in the various communities and taking to the farmer the
+latest scientific and practical information. Alongside these great
+public agencies stand the very effective voluntary organizations among
+the farmers themselves which are more and more learning the best
+methods of cooperation and the best methods of putting to practical
+use the assistance derived from governmental sources. The banking
+legislation of the last two or three years has given the farmers access
+to the great lendable capital of the country, and it has become the
+duly both of the men in charge of the Federal Reserve Banking System
+and of the Farm Loan Banking System to see to it that the farmers
+obtain the credit, both short term and long term, to which they are
+entitled not only, but which it is imperatively necessary should
+be extended to them if the present tasks of the country are to be
+adequately performed. Both by direct purchase of nitrates and by the
+establishment of plants to produce nitrates, the Government is doing
+its utmost to assist in the problem of fertilization. The Department of
+Agriculture and other agencies are actively assisting the farmers to
+locate, safeguard, and secure at cost an adequate supply of sound seed.
+
+The farmers of this country are as efficient as any other farmers
+in the world. They do not produce more per acre than the farmers in
+Europe. It is not necessary that they should do so. It would perhaps
+be bad economy for them to attempt it. But they do produce by two to
+three or four times more per man, per unit of labor and capital, than
+the farmers of any European country. They are more alert and use more
+labor-saving devices than any other farmers, in the world. And their
+response to the demands of the present emergency has been in every way
+remarkable. Last spring their planting exceeded by 12,000,000 acres
+the largest planting of any previous year, and the yields from the
+crops were record-breaking yields. In the fall of 1917 a wheat acreage
+of 42,170,000 was planted, which was 1,000,000 larger than for any
+preceding year, 3,000,000 greater than the next largest, and 7,000,000
+greater than the preceding five-year average.
+
+But I ought to say to you that it is not only necessary that these
+achievements should be repeated, but that they should be exceeded.
+I know what this advice involves. It involves not only labor but
+sacrifice, the painstaking application of every hit of scientific
+knowledge and every tested practice that is available. It means the
+utmost economy, even to the point where the pinch comes. It means the
+kind of concentration and self-sacrifice which is involved in the
+field of battle itself, where the object always looms greater than the
+individual. And yet the Government will help and help in every way that
+it is possible.
+
+It was farmers from whom came the first shots at Lexington, that set
+aflame the Revolution that made America free. I hope and believe that
+the farmers of America will willingly and conspicuously stand by to win
+this war also. The toil, the intelligence, the energy, the foresight,
+the self-sacrifice and devotion of the farmers of America will, I
+believe, bring to a triumphant conclusion this great last war for the
+emancipation of men from the control of arbitrary government and the
+selfishness of class legislation and control, and then, when the end
+has come, we may look each other in the face and be glad that we are
+Americans and have had the privilege to play such a part.
+
+
+
+
+THE BUSINESS OF AGRICULTURE.
+
+[Extracts from addresses.]
+
+
+The next great factor to enlist for the betterment of Agriculture
+and rural life in this Nation is the business man of the town and
+the city. He has not always been alive to his obligations. He has
+contented himself, in too many instances, with plans to secure profit
+in agricultural trade, instead of sympathetically and eagerly planning
+constructive assistance. This duty, pressing in peace time, is of the
+most urgent and impelling character in this crisis; and I appeal to the
+bankers and business men to see that they omit no effort to familiarize
+themselves with the agencies serving to aid the farmers and to promote
+wise plans to secure the necessary results.
+
+D. F. Houston, Secretary of Agriculture.
+
+
+In the interest of our national development at all times and in the
+interest of war efficiency just now our agriculture must be well
+maintained. It should be remembered that the agricultural unit is
+a small unit. There are 6,000,000 farms in this country, each an
+individual unit. It is to the interest of persons who do not live on
+farms, even more than to the interest of those who do live on farms,
+that production shall be kept up. This means that all people, not
+farmers alone, but those who live in cities as well as the farmers,
+are interested in experimental and educational activities along
+agricultural lines as conducted by the Federal Government and the
+States. These efforts should be liberally supported.
+
+R. A. Pearson, Assistant Secretary of Agriculture.
+
+
+In a time like this no man has a moral right, whatever his fortune
+may be, to employ another man to render any service, of mere comfort
+or convenience. When the finest young men of the United States are
+in France digging ditches, sawing lumber, laying rails, and playing
+with death, and when the finest young women of the United States are
+scrubbing floors in hospitals, it is a sin that almost approaches the
+unpardonable offense against civilization for any man or women in the
+United States to engage in a wasteful or unnecessary service.
+
+Clarence Ousley, Assistant Secretary of Agriculture.
+
+
+
+
+BEEKEEPING IN WARTIMES.
+
+
+It is imperative that the sugar crop of the United States be increased,
+and every supply of supplemental sweet should be augmented to the
+greatest possible extent. Honey is one of the best of these and its
+production may be increased without great effort. The supply of nectar
+from which the bees make honey is bountiful and the only limitation
+to honey production is whether the price obtainable for the honey
+justifies the labor of the beekeeper. There is no question of this in
+wartimes.
+
+The recent demand for honey for export has been greater than ever
+before and the home demand has also greatly increased. Because of the
+shortage of sugar, all forms of supplemental sweets are being utilized
+and none of these appeals to the tastes of the consuming public more
+strongly than does honey. This increased demand has raised the price
+of honey and it is therefore a paying business to produce it to meet
+this need, in addition to the fact that the beekeeper may feel that he
+is materially assisting in the food crisis of the Nation. It is to be
+expected that even after the war is over this demand for honey will not
+cease, for many people are eating honey now who were not familiar with
+its delicious qualities, and they will not forget how good it is.
+
+In the production of honey, it is of the first importance that the
+colonies of bees be kept strong, especially that they be strong
+before the beginning of the main honey-flows of the early summer. To
+bring about this essential condition, the most important step is the
+proper wintering of the bees, and this bulletin has been prepared that
+beekeepers throughout the country may be able to get their bees through
+the winter without the great loss of colonies and reduction in strength
+of those which still live which have been so common in the past. The
+proper preparation of the bees for winter now becomes not only a
+patriotic duty, but it is good business.
+
+
+KEEP MORE BEES. KEEP BEES BETTER
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Transcriber Notes
+
+Illustrations moved so as to prevent splitting paragraphs.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of USDA Farmers' Bulletin No. 1012: The
+Preparation of Bees for Outdoor Wintering, by E. F. Phillips and George S. Demuth
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 59502 ***