The cluster by its formation of a compact surface shell of bees, possesses the remarkable capacity for preventing the rapid escape of heat. The cluster does not radiate heat to the unoccupied part of the hive, as a stove radiates heat to a room.

The entrance of the hive when reduced bears a similar relation to this unoccupied space as an open door does to a full sized room.

The value of wind protection and hive insulation in reducing the expenditure of bee energy is obtained through the reduction in the rate of temperature changes, thus permitting the cluster to adjust itself gradually; it is not obtained by the retention of heat radiated by the cluster.

The double walled or Buckeye hive showed no beneficial or detrimental influence on brood-rearing. Neither is there any evidence that hive insulation is essential to efficient spring brood-rearing.

Caucasian and Carniolan queens made similar responses to factors governing brood-rearing as were made by Italian queens. There are no data available at this time to support the contention that either of these races are more prolific than good Italian queens.

The wintering data obtained the first two seasons did not harmonize with the theory that heavy insulation should give superior results.

Temperatures indicate that extra heavy insulation does not prevent low temperatures from reaching the cluster ... heavy insulation is equally effective in retaining low temperatures within the hive when the outside temperature begins to rise.

C. L. Farrar, Doctoral Thesis, 1931
Massachusetts State College

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