18th Have today (for my own apiary) almost if not quite concluded to discard the cobs and
straw bundles and to use wool. First thought to use woolen bundles, but
now think best to use 8 x 8 box, 1/2 inch stuff. With two rebate strips get a support for a single
tier of corn cobs, over which pack wool, wool waste washed to get rid of the oil would
answer a good purpose. Box on lower sides might have [crossed out: illegible] little wooden bats tacked to it
or layer of cobs, a little wool over them, then another layer of cobs, wool over them, or any other
way to make box warm as toast. Crowd woolen wads (woolen rags if nothing better can be got)
between ranges of comb frames to keep all tight and warm. Cotton so easily affected by
dampness would not probably answer so well. Very little material needed, nearly all
the escape of heat is from the spaces between the combs. Feeder can be used in very cold weather
or candy in the box. For stimulative feeding in spring, water, etc. , take out a small wad near
front or rear of box to let them up to a comb. Wool when not in use to be put into a box or bag. 
Cobs set away in small box, nothing to tempt rats or mice as in straw. Would bees dislike
wads pushed down a little to cover say 1/2 inch of their comb? If thy did they would find wool to defy
their efforts to remove it and would soon give it up. Hived stock that had the small
cob box over them has lost few bees and has hatching brood today. Have found none in any
other stock looked at yet. Feb. 19th. Have opened many hives, find brood in all the strong ones. 
In some few dead bees, in others, many. Bees in proportion to the winter (which has been one
of unusual long continued cold) and their condition in the fall having [illegible] but very little in September,
seem to have wintered well. The carpets laid over the frames with honey board on them or without
have been of great service. Have today pushed wool between some of the spaces between the
combs in two hives, with a little smoke easily done and quickly without hurting any bees. 
Have also tried wool to feed sweetened water with (Columella method) bees easily
suck wool dry, do not get tangled up. With one dry length of wool, go through all, as in
cleaning hives. After Spring has fairly opened and bees have been examined cob box might
be removed. Spaces between combs wool wadded, one small central hole left opened on which
wool feeder rests. If thought necessary wool might be pushed between frames and front and rear of the
hive. Shall do this with my very light stocks. To do this and to put wool between upper
spaces it might be best to cage queen, shake off bees so as to run them into empty hive. When
danger of robbing do it away under cover, and let bees enter after combs spaced. Small cob
box adjusted and [illegible] and if necessary side passages (front and rear) closed with woolen
wads. Shall try this with a good stock as well as the light ones. If bees gum up the wool
which I do not much apprehend, easily cleaned in hot water. Feeder of cotton so short and
weak, easy broken, sticks to comb, annoys bees, they try to get rid of it. Do not think
they would do the same with wool. If wool linings front and rear would answer well, we get
rid of all the objections to movable frames being so open as to pass off heat. Bees getting no warm place
to lie up against. Query. If spaces between front and rear of hive and uprights of frames were
well wadded would not bees lie close against front or rear and thus have easy access from comb
to comb, save need of winter passages? Save need of cob box? Plenty of space for them to lie in
larger masses. All the wool might be put on back side and even frames crowded up close to
front. Then hive tilted up heat would rise to top and back. Cold weather would drive the bees
back to the warm place, none caught between outside ranges (missing winter passages) to perish. 
[crossed out: no doubt] Query. Would they be coaxed too much away from empty cells and so lose all 
or more than they would gain? No doubt this novel application of wool patentable and