Produced by Tom Cosmas compiled from images made available by The Internet Archive. 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.