120 May 26th 1888. Hive Surtout or outside covering. This AM
The idea has occurred to me of a moveable outside covering for say the
[illegible] chamber (one section) to better adapt the hive for outdoor 
wintering. A moveable outside of [illegible] paper several thicknesses to fit up 
snug, and lift off to let hive warm up when desired by sun. June 5th. Perhaps 
the following plan may work well. Put the [illegible] paper or proper thicknesses of paper on the 
underside of [illegible] bottom board, then, especially if tan bark is kept by thin boards so 
as to come nearly to the top of stand on which bottom board rests, the inside of the bottom board will not get so 
cold. Now let a few holes be put in the old [illegible] to receive wire cloth for winter ventilator and to 
be stopped by the [illegible] tins at the [illegible] of the year where bees are flying, we can keep the L blocks 
nearly or quite closed in cold weather and yet admit all the air needed from below, and this 
air will not be as cold as what would enter from the usual entrance. [illegible] could be stopped in this 
way by shutting up the usual entrance, and the bees imprisoned have all the air they want etc. 
Now further let one of the sections of the [illegible] be painted a dark color so as to heat through (draw 
the sun). Let hive front southeast, so that in the winter the heat of the sun would warm up. 
The summer [illegible] might be in place at any time to prevent too much heat. Let top cover [illegible] 
of same dark color to heat through. If bees to winter well out of doors, need when the severe 
cold is if long enough entrance to prevent them [illegible] about enough to get supplies, may not 
this plan give it to them. 



