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.