WINTERING. 
531 
SO necessary as was supposed. If a sufficient opening 
(of 5in. or 6in. at least) be allowed at the entrance 
(in addition, a ring of wood, 2in. deep, between the 
hive and its floor board lifting the frames, is a valu- 
able assistance), top ventilation may be omitted, and 
American cloth be placed over the bees. It has, how- 
ever, many disadvantages. I prefer slow upward ven- 
tilation, and earnestly advocate a chaff-tray, regarding 
the splendid covering it affords as far more important 
than the hive side itself (pages 61 and 409), especially 
if we give space above the frames, when notions oi 
portability and cheapness may make us content with 
single sides, notwithstanding their inferiority to cork- 
packed ones. For wintering, the chaff-tray should 
hold 4in. or 5in. of chaff, well patted down. The 
sacking should be loose, so that it may fit the hive top 
accurately, for small crannies allow most damaging 
leaks of heat. A calico first goes over the candy or 
section-box, as previously explained, and then a thick- 
ness of flannel — but this may be omitted — and the 
chaff-box follows. Carpeting fits badly ; if creased at 
all, a direct through current, which punishes the bees 
severely, is permitted ; and on the usual thin hive side 
it is hardly possible to avoid those gaps which have 
made many denounce all top ventilation, quite over- 
looking how often this has been given in a manner 
all must condemn. 
Dampness is a great enemy to wintering bees. Prof. 
McLain noted the critical temperature to be less in a 
damp than a dry air (page 520), the reason being that 
water has an enormous capacity for heat (specific heat) 
(page 68), whether in the liquid or vaporous form ; the 
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