of clean straw cut to a proper length, on the bottom board, running the lengths of the
straws from front to rear, upon which lay the rest of the cobs which will keep the
straw in place. The same might be done upon the sides. In times of cheap
cotton the flooring under the cobs might be cotton too, loose or in the form of batting. 
Under in the shape of old carpets or old clothes might also be used in the same
way, and might be tacked to the front and rear also. In short the principle may
be so fully carried out as to secure a hive which will enclose the bees on all sides
with almost perfect non-conducting substances, and yet allow of a free escape of any
moisture. I shall fix up one or more hives in which the plan shall be carried out
as completely as possible. Query: Will a stock breed any earlier in such a hive? A
weak stock may breed earlier in such a hive than it would in one without any
such arrangement, a strong stock would probably breed very little, if any, earlier. 
18th Have put more bees into cob hives. Four long nails inside of the outer
ledge of gutter, hold the cobs on top of frames in place. The spaces on each
side above the side cobs easily closed with three cobs. There will probably
be no special advantage in covering the top cobs with woolen garments. If water is
ever needed by the bees in cold weather, easily poured on the cobs. In the hives fixed
today I have nailed [crossed out: illegible] pieces of old clothes against the front and rear walls of
the hive. I should now prefer to winter my bees in a hive fixed in this way to
keeping them in any winter receptacle. (19th) 30 degrees. Heavy frost. In a colony the
only one yet with top cobs the bees are considerably under the top cobs. In a very strong stock
with frame of comb on top kept up by cobs, bees are very abundant under the combs. 
In some the bees are next to the outside cob linings, in most not. On one outside
surface of outside comb saw about one dozen chilled inanimate bees. Some
bees have not sense enough to keep out of the cold. Found a cluster chilled between two
combs laid on top. Can the cobs on bottom be so rough that bees do not like to
lie or travel upon them? (20th) 28 degrees. Very heavy frost. Examined a number of
cob lined hives. Not a bee under the cobs on top of frames, more under woolen carpet,
in some hives none on the outside frames next to the cobs, in the strongest, some. In one
with cobs on top bees on both sides next to the cobs. In strong one with a frame of comb
propped up over the top, bees heavily massed between comb and top. In all the
hives bees well massed on the cobs below. This the great thing. Results thus far
very satisfactory. [illegible] I find after cobing a hive that the platform is all
fast even when hive turned bottom side up. This will enable us to clean
out the hive early in the season (having one empty cobed hive) before it is time to
uncob the hives. Chaff. I think that it will be an admirable plan to
lay (after fixing one or two tiers of front cobs) a bed of chaff upon which to place the
cobs. This will give a very great additional nonconducting power to the cob platform
and will prevent any cold currents in windy weather annoy�ing the bees from the openings
between the cobs. In times of cheap cotton the cobs might rest upon a layer of cotton. 
My plan is to make the bottoms in our hives usually the coldest part of the hive,
the warmest, so that bees will not be lost in going in or out, will not drop upon
a cold bottom, will have a splendid opportunity to pass from comb to comb over a