WINTERING BEES. 349 



are piled in a pyiamidal form, on a bed of straw, and covered sis 

 or eight inches thick, with the same material, evenly spread, as in 

 thatching ; and the whole is covered, in a conical form, with a 

 layer of earth twelve inches thick, taken from a trench which is 

 dug around the clamp. The proper finish is given by beating this 

 earth smooth and even, with the back of the spade. This mode 

 of preservation, when well executed, is found to keep fruit, tuber- 

 ous roots, &c., in better condition during cold weather, than can 

 be effected in cellars or vaults. 



" These facts suggested to me the idea of protecting bees during 

 the Winter, in a similar manner. It was evident, however, that 

 a bee-clamp would require various modifications, to secure proper 

 ventilation, to prevent undue development of heat, and to obviate 

 an accumulation of moisture ; and an arrangement, also, for readily 

 ascertaining, and effectually regulating the temperature. All 

 this, too, without seriously disturbing the bees, after the hives 

 have been deposited in the clamp. 



" To attain these objects, a circular space, sufficiently large for 

 the intended purpose, is to be marked off on the driest and most 

 elevated part of a garden, or other suitable spot of ground. The 

 surface-soil containing vegetable matter, liable to decay, is then 

 to be removed, and in the central part of the plot, a pit, three feet 

 square, and three feet deep (see Fig. 66), is to be dug, spreading 

 the earth taken therefrom evenly around, and treading it down 

 hard. This pit is designed to serve as an air-chamber, as will be 

 fully explained hereafter. 



" The area having been properly prepared, four trenches, one 

 inch and a half wide and deep, are to be dug ; one extending from 

 the middle of each of the four sides of the pit, to the outer edge 

 of the periphery of the plot (PL XXL, Fig. 66). Into each of 

 these trenches, a lead pipe, one inch in diameter, is to be laid, so 

 as to form a communication between the pit and the air outside 

 of the clamp when finished (PL XXI., Fig. 66). When these 

 pipes are covered with earth, and the ground again leveled, a 

 narrow strip of board should be laid thereon, to designate the 

 position of the tubes, that they may not be injured in subsequent 

 operations. 



