Allen said: " ... the  prime art of beekeeping IMO, is to provide the cavity
which costs the bees the least to use, while simultaneously not restricting
their potential."

Exactly.  In warm or hot weather, a cavity that's too big is OK.  In cold
weather, it's not OK because the cost to the bees of staying warm enough is
too high.

Several other cold weather beekeepers have made this point with various
examples of the boxes they use.

I have just begun experimenting with an inner cover with a Plexiglas insert.
Makes a very interesting way to observe condensation and should help in the
decision about how much ventilation is necessary.

Jeff Hills
Dorset, VT

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