I am going to build me a bee house of cedar logs, twenty feet by sixteen
inside, stuffed with one foot of saw-dust; and I wish to know how I can
give the greatest amount of ventilation in winter, without light. I want
the largest amount of ventilation, combined with the largest amount of
darkness; and desire to know where and how to place the ventilators, and
of what material these should be made--whether of wood, iron, or lead?
If possible, let us have a sketch or side view. Did I not fear that
NOVICE was drowned in honey, I would ask him to have the kindness to
furnish the information according to his experience. Perhaps we should
send in contributions to the editor to offer a premium for a design for
the best bee-wintering house, to contain a hundred hives as described
above. Bee-wintering is one of the most important points in bee-culture
now, and bee-keepers could well afford to contribute towards procuring
the best plan of a house.
Now, dear editor, although a passenger in the sleeping car, I am for
progress. Thirteen swarms from one--say one brought up to fourteen, is a
true American fact. If I had set the fourteen in four hives, with ample
space for boxes, it would have been a pity for my blacks to compare
results. I drummed out my old hive and first swarm, and cut three pails
of honey out of them. Then I returned the bees, and the gaps are again
nearly closed. I wish now to say