. The Bee-keepers' review. Bee culture. 296 THE BEE-KEEPERS' REVIEW. guard agaiust the cold of winter than against the heat of the sun in early spring. This disposition of the entrance provides also against the prevailing winds of winter. By thus taking advantage of a slope an entrance on a level can be made very easily by the removal of no great amount of earth, if the slope be at all marked. If no slope is to be had, a stairway may be made to serve b}- mak- ing it wide, strong and of an easy slope with no riser at the top to be stepped over. As to the charac- ter of the soil to be preferred
. The Bee-keepers' review. Bee culture. 296 THE BEE-KEEPERS' REVIEW. guard agaiust the cold of winter than against the heat of the sun in early spring. This disposition of the entrance provides also against the prevailing winds of winter. By thus taking advantage of a slope an entrance on a level can be made very easily by the removal of no great amount of earth, if the slope be at all marked. If no slope is to be had, a stairway may be made to serve b}- mak- ing it wide, strong and of an easy slope with no riser at the top to be stepped over. As to the charac- ter of the soil to be preferred for a cel- lar, I should select a gravel, sandy or other porous soil,to secure the recep- tacle against damp- ness. This is not imperative, for, with good food, bees, I have no doubt, will winter as well in a damp place as in a dry one; but it is a com- fort to have the combs and hives free from mold and moisture. If there be any danger of the accumulation of water in the cellar from anj' source, a drain should, of course, be provided for its JAMES r. HARRIS, Graud Junction, Colo President of the National Association for IC04. THE PROPER SIZE FOR A CELLAR. In deciding upon the dimensions of the cellar, it would be well to allow two square feet of floor surface for each col- ony it is to accommodate at any one time. Thus a cellar 20x20 ft. or 16x25 ft- could be made to accommodate 200 colonies. But it must not be overlooked that col- onies are variable quantities. 200 colonies at the end of a favorable season might easily equal, in heat evolving capacity, 400 colonies at the end of a very unfavor- able season. The 200 colonies in such a case would be likel}- to overheat a cellar of the size suggested in the absence of extra care. THE WALLS, COVER TO THE CELLAR AND CELLAR DOOR. The walls should be of solid, perman- ent material, at least seven feet in heighth and sunk in the earth almost their entire extent, allowing tlietn to reach above the surface bareH- enough to ac
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