WINTERING BEES. 353 



to commence by placing the hives too near the periphery of the 

 area ; because, between the outer edge of the lower tier of the 

 hives, and the exterior mouths of the ventilating tubes, sufficient 

 space must be reserved for the external cojjering, or mantle of the 

 clamp (PI. XXL, Fig. 69). 



" When the hives have been arranged in the manner described, 

 and the chimney has been placed on the two upper ones, over the 

 flue communicating with the pit, they are to be covered in with 

 boards, cut to proper lengths, and placed vertically, side by side, 

 around the sides of the pyramid. On and against these boards is 

 to be laid a thick layer of rushes or old dry straw, forming a 

 regular and dense coating, from base to apex. This coating is, in 

 turn, to be covered with a layer of earth, five or six inches thick, 

 spread as evenly as practicable, commencing below and proceed- 

 ing upward to the chimney, so that the latter, having already been 

 secured in its place by the boards and the straw or rushes, is now 

 covered by the earth, to within six or seven inches of its top. The 

 earth for covering, is taken directly from the base of the clamp, 

 around which a trench six inches deep, and eighteen inches wide, 

 is now to be dug, so as to expose the mouths of the ventilating 

 tubes at the upper edge of the interior side of the trench. In dig- 

 ging the trench, care must be taken not to close or injure the 

 mouths of the tubes, which should, moreover, be secured by a per- 

 forated tin cap, to exclude mice, and other vermin, and yet allow 

 the free passage of air. The trench will serve to receive and 

 carry off rain or snow-water, during the Winter ; and to effect 

 this more perfectly, several gutters or furrows should be drawn 

 from it outwards. If sufficient earth be not obtained from the 

 trench to cover in the straw or rushes completely, at least five 

 inches thick, the deficiency must be supplied from other sources. 

 The earth covering should be dressed smooth and even with the 

 back of a spade. 



" In this state, the clamp should be allowed to remain till severe 

 frosts occur, when an additional coat of leaves or pine shatters 

 is to be given. This should be five or six inches thick, and 

 applied as evenly as possible, from base to apex, leaving only 

 about four inches of the chimney exposed. This material should 



