WINTERING BEES. 
349 
ate piled in a pyiainidal form, on a bed of straw, and covered six 
or eight inches thick, with the same material, evenly spread, as in 
thatching; and the whole is covered, in a conical form, with a 
layer of earth twelve inches thick, taken from a trench which is 
dug around the clamp. The proper finish is given by beating this 
earth smooth and even, with the back of the spade. This mode 
of preservation, when well executed, is found to keep fruit, tuber¬ 
ous roots, &c., in better condition during cold weather, than can 
be effected in cellars or vaults. 
“ These facts suggested to me the idea of protecting bees during 
the Winter, in a similar manner. It was evident, however, that 
a bee-clamp would require various modifications, to secure proper 
ventilation, to prevent undue development of heat, and to obviate 
an accumulation of moisture; and an arrangement, also, for readily 
ascerlaining, and effectually regulating the temperature. All 
this, too, without seriously disturbing the bees, after the hives 
have been deposiled in the clamp. 
“To attain fhese objects, a circular space, sufficiently large for 
the intended purpose, is to be marked ofT on the driest and most 
elevated part of a garden, or other suitable spot of ground. The 
surface-soil containing vegetable matter, liable to decay, is then 
to be removed, and in the central part of the plot, a pit, three feet 
square, and three feet deep (see Fig. 66), is to be dug, spreading 
the earth taken therefrom evenly around, and treading it down 
hard. This pit is designed to serve as an air-chamber, as will be 
fully explained hereafter. 
“ The area having been properly prepared, four trenches, one 
inch and a half wide and deep, are to be dug; one extending from 
the middle of each of the four sides of the pit, to the outer edge 
of the periphery of the plot (PI. XXL, Fig. 66). Into each of 
these trenches, a lead pipe, one inch in diameter, is to be laid, so 
as to form a communication between the pit and the air outside 
of the clamp when finished (PI. XXL, Fig. 66). When these 
pipes are covered with earth, and the ground again leveled, a 
narrow strip of board should be laid thereon, to designate the 
position of the tubes, that they may not be injured in subsequent 
operations 
