Re. Covers and Winter Wraps
Quite a bit of research was done in Alberta and some of the other prairie
provinces during the 1970's and 80's. (Nelson, Szabo, and others).
I distinctly remember that some of the studies concluded that wrapping
colonies on the sides is not nearly as important as insulation on top of
the colonies. This was particularly valid in southern Alberta.
Paul van Westendorp
Provincial Apiculturist
British Columbia