WINTERING GEES. 
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 covering, or mantle of the 
clamp (PI. XXI , 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 recur, when an additional coal 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 inohes of the chimney exposed. This material should 
