26 WlNTEBltf& BtSBS 



Wilien the top of th« hive is closed tight, the moisture froni 

 the bees collects on the under side of the cover, drips down, 

 and passes out at the entrance. The absorbing cushions, on 

 the other hand, in our climate often become damp and soggy 

 before spring. When in that condition they will sometimes 

 freeze; and, so far from being a protection, they are a 

 positive detriment. But where the climate is cold and dry, 

 the temperature going down to 10 or 20 below zero, the 

 absorbing cushions will be less damp than in a milder cli- 

 mate subject to more or less humidity on account of moist 

 or rainy weather. When absorbing cushions are used, there 

 must be a space of at least one inch over the top of the 

 packing. In addition, there should be ventilating-holes so 

 that the moisture can escape. But these holes should be so 

 situated as to prevent rain or snow from blowing in. 



When non-porous covers are used, it takes less packing 

 than when the absorbing plan is employed ; but the entrances 

 must be kept clear. If one has not decided which scheme 

 to adopt, we suggest that he try the two side by side. We 

 have tried sheets of glass the exact size of the tops of the 

 hives. These are imbedded in putty, making a tight sealing 

 between the glass and the hive. The packing material is then 

 placed on top. We have wintered most successfully an' 

 where from one to a dozen colonies, during successive win- 

 ters, under these sealed glass covers — not because there was 

 any merit in the glass, but because we could better observe 

 conditions. We could never see that this moisture that col- 

 lects and drops at the corners ever did any harm. 



BEST KIND OF PACKING MATERIAL. 



Wheat or oat chaff, preferably the former, has been rec- 

 ommended as being the best material to use; but since the 

 advent of new methods of separating the chaff from the 

 wheat by means of a suction-fan, it is not now easy to 

 obtain the chaff. We now recommend dry forest-leaves, 

 plenty of them, or planer-shavings. Cut straw does very 

 well. In milder climates, two thicknesses of old carpeting 

 or burlap sacking will do. In colder climates we could use 



