> Judging from the recent postings, I gather in Canada > >wrapping is a common practice. I suppose there is a "wrap line", north of > >which wrapping is advisable. Any thoughts as to where this line is? > > It would seem that line is about 50 miles north of Toronto. Talking to > Toronto beekeepers they don't wrap but here in the snow belt we do. Toronto is always warm because of the huge poulation and when it is snowing in Markham, it is often raining in TO. I bought some bees (125 hives) down south of London (ON) area some 20 years ago. They were wintered in singles - standard or jumbo. The hives were placed in wintering boxes, a sack was placed over the top bars and wood shavings were shovelled on top. A large wooden lid covered all. The lower entrance was all they had - a tunnel led out to a slit opening. The bees were absolutely beautiful and we could not find any dead in March when I first looked at them with the owner (BIll Glen). I also looked at some bees down further towards Niagara and the owner also wintered in similar boxes. Perhaps the climate has changed over the years and this is no longer necessary, but it was the norm even that far south in those days. Regards Allen W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper VE6CFK RR#1, Swalwell, Alberta Canada T0M 1Y0 Internet:[log in to unmask] Honey. Bees, Art, & Futures <http://www.cuug.ab.ca:8001/~dicka>