kept covered with cobs or any warm material. Here bees could be easily fed
all the winter through. I find that when cobs are laid so as to leave this
hollow space the bees delight to come into it. Would they in the coldest
weather? Is it desirable to tempt them up? [diagram] 3,3, one or two
very short cobs, 1, the space left centrally for the bees to pass
more readily from comb to comb, 2, part of the cob laid crosswise
to the other cobs so as to form a covered way under which the
bees can easily pass. Would there be any need of this? Perhaps none, except to
get a warm place for feeding bees. In spring, when stimulative feeding is
desirable for all the colonies, a spoonful or two of [inserted: thin] syrup or honey may be poured
directly upon the cobs, or better still, upon a small piece of comb placed centrally
on or under them. Might not rye flour be also put on top of the cobs? and would
not the bees easily gather it from such a warm place? I have today laid cobs so as
to stop the side openings, close against the outside combs. This cob plan seems
to be capable of meeting all that we want for wintering bees. A piece of sponge
saturated with sweetened water may on chilly spring days be laid centrally on
the cobs and thus supply the bees with all the water they need so that they would
not be tempted to leave their hives at times when many are liable to perish. 
Nov. 3rd. A cross layer of cobs over the center so as to cover well all the central openings
will very much [illegible] to keeping the bees warm. [diagram] If you choose, old
woolen garments may then be laid all over to keep the bees as warm as toast. 
I find that many bees in small clusters are chilled if there is not something quite
warm for them to contract to. If they contract centrally in the comb, as they will
if something warm is not given, they often perish. Even now I find them chilled in
this way, where a comb lies upon the top I have repeatedly found them chilled
upon its top even now, and if the weather did not change they will perish. 
 (4th) Cobs on top could not be used with frames with close fitting cobs, bottom cobs
might be. (10th) Do not like the idea of giving up the winter passage, bees will under
certain circumstances condense to the center of outside combs and perish. (21st) Cobs even when
soaked through are not cold, the outside surfaces quite warm, they
dry out very soon. (22nd) The bottom board one of the most important parts of the hive
to be warm, but in any permanent straw linings this can not be effected, as
it would afford the best possible harbor for the [illegible] in the droppings from the
hive. Here too the cobs have the preference. (23rd) Thermometer yesterday 16 degrees - 13 degrees
with strong wind. This A. M. 7 degrees. Bees fully cobed appear to be well up on the combs. 
Upper boxes have considerable frost. Very important to place the cobed hives in the
sun, then all dampness dries out of cover and cobs. No fear of sun exciting them to
stir out when weather unsuitable. (26th) Still find dead bees in outside combs
some even where winter passage. The thermometer has been to 7 degrees and for several days the
weather very cold. These sudden changes very much more likely to catch bees on outside
combs. More dead bees seen they had no top cobs or any cover on. 