<554 
THE niVE AND HONET-BEE. 
be applied wet, as it will thus pack more closely, and afterwards 
better confine the heat. When finished, it should be well sprinkled 
with water from a watering-can, and allowed to freeze. A very 
compact structure will thus be formed (Figs. 69 and 70). The 
mouths of the ventilating tubes should next be protected, by plac¬ 
ing a piece of board before each of them ; and the trenches are then 
to be filled loosely will tangled straw. 
“ All this labor must be performed gently, so as to disturb the 
confined bees as little as practicable. The covering of leaves or 
pine-shatters should not be applied till after cold weather sets in, 
and it may be deferred till after the earlier snows have fallen and 
melted, and the severer weather of December or January makes 
additional protection desirable. 
“If an extensive Apiary renders a clamp of larger dimensions 
necessary, two or three pits, or air-chambers, with their appur¬ 
tenant ventilating tubes and chimneys (FI. XXL, Fig. 70) may 
bo introduced. 
“ On clear, mild days, the protecting boards may be removed from 
the mouth of the ventilating tubes, that fresh air may freely enter 
the clamp, and carry off any dampness which may have formed 
within ; and, as the entire interior is in direct co . munication 
with the air-chamber, a dry and healthy atmosphere will speedily 
be diffused throughout, by means of the draught of the chimney. 
Towards evening, the protecting-boards should be replaced. On 
the return of milder weather, or on the termination of severe and 
protracted frosts, the mouths of the ventilating tubes may be 
uncovered, and left open, day and night, to prevent the undue 
development of heat in the interior ; but in clear weather, the 
direct rays of the sun should be excluded from the mouths of the 
tubes. If the holes in the sides of the chimney should at any time 
become closed with snow, the obstructions must be removed, by 
means of a rake or other convenient implement. When the 
exterior of the clamp is covered with snow, the mouth of one of 
the ventilating tubes should be kept open, even in cold weather, 
ami of all of them, when the weather is moderate, because the 
snow covering causes great internal warmth. 
“ To ascertain the interior temperature, a thermometer attached 
