So far as I know, one hundred years ago it was common to winter bees
in a one story hive, either in or out of doors. Root says in 1910:

The prime requisite for both
methods of wintering is a large force of
young bees reared during the latter part of
summer or early fall. A colony
made up of old wornout bees
with very few young, no matter
how strong, will be almost sure
to succumb before spring, or
reach such a weakened condition
as to become practically worth-
less. As a general rule, in the
Northern States brood - rearing
ceases right after the honey-flow.

As a general thing an eight-frame colony
should be crowded on six combs, and a ten
on an eight. The division-board must be
shoved up close to the frames, and empty
space, if any, filled with leaves or other pack-
ing material.

No mention of two story hives at all.

-- 
Peter L Borst
Danby, NY  USA
www.people.cornell.edu/pages/plb6

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