Formerly it was commonly recommended that corn cobs, or other objects
designed for the purpose, be placed above the top bars of the frames,
and then that quilts be placed over these. The purpose of these
objects, was to lift the quilts so that the bees could pass over the
tops of the frames. In former years it was advised that holes be bored
through the combs to permit passage from one space to the other. Of
late years these things have been abandoned, to a large degree, for
it is known now that if bees are packed as they should be they may
pass easily at all times to any part of the hive as need arises. It
is often stated that bees die of starvation in the hives when there
is abundant honey not many inches away from the cluster. This, of
course, never happens in colonies that are well packed. In colonies
that are adequately protected there is no better plan than simply to
leave the regular wooden cover in place and sealed down by the bees.
Quilts directly over the frames are a nuisance at any time, and during
the winter they are of no value for upward ventilation in well packed
colonies and should be used only as a poor makeshift for good packing.