BER CULTURE, 143 
closed on one side each with § inch boards, and top mounted 
with metal rabbets. These can be packed with chaff, straw 
or leaves, and the open side covered with burlaps, tacked 
around the edges ; or the spaces can be left unfilled, forming 
an air-space between the outer and inner walls of the hive. 
For wintering on summer stands, these inner cases may be 
‘turned, bringing the warm cushions next the bees. This 
forms an absorbent of inside moisture, and also keeps the 
bees at an even temperature, being warm in winter and cool 
in summer. With the Langstroth hive, double front and rear 
can be used, and by inserting a division-board at each side, 
Fig. 106.—Hive with Chaff Packing for Winter. 
and filling with chaff, or taking out two brood-frames, and 
slipping down a chaff or straw cushion, the sides will be pro- 
vided for; then a woolen blanket over, on which a chaff or 
straw cushion may be placed, and the hive cover placed over 
all. We like Mr. C. F. Muth’s suggestion to bore a hole in 
each end of the cover, above the packing, to give escape to 
the moisture from above, and prevent the formation of frost 
and mold in the hive. 
Another method is, to surround the hive with a box some 
six inches larger, then put the hive in, provide a winter pas- 
sage out from the entrance, and fill with sawdust, forest 
leaves or chaff; leaving the cover off the hive, filling in on 
top, over the blanket or cushion with packing loose, and then 
