WINTEBING. 159 



to travel to all parts of the hive over the top bars of 

 the frames. Three or four- pieces of wood, J inch 

 square, laid across the top bars, J inch apart, before 

 putting on the quilts, wiU be equally effective in pro- 

 viding passages from comb to comb. 



Quilts. 



The first of the quilts or cloths that are placed 

 above the frames should be of good stout caUco, or, 

 better still, ticking, which the bees will not quickly 

 bite through. The others should be of some wooUy 

 material, such as felt or carpet. The number required 

 wiU depend upon the thickness and non-conductivity 

 of the material. There should be sufficient covering 

 to ensure the heat of the cluster being preserved. In 

 the place of the upper quilts, trays filled with chaff, 

 or chaff-cushions, may be given. 



Impervious quilts of American oilcloth, smooth side 

 downwards, are used in many apiaries in place of the 

 first quilt. They are clean, and prevent the escape of 

 moisture from the brood-nest. No objection can be 

 raised to their use on strong stocks, if other quilts or 

 chaff-cushions are given above. During the spring 

 such a quilt may be a distinct advantage, as a moist 

 atmosphere is needed during the breeding season, and 

 also when a dummy feeder, filled with Porto Eico 

 sugar, is placed at the side of the brood-nest. 



Ventilation without draught is needed for successful 

 wintering, and may be provided, after the quUts, &c., 

 have been given, by allowing an entrance of about 

 6 inches in width, until breeding commences and 



