54 AUSTRALASIAN BEE MANUAL 



eighths of an inch deep, starting i^in. from each side 

 and running back 5in. to a point, as shown. After 

 marking it out, a saw-cut can be run on each side to 

 save labour in chiselHng. The stands b b are 4in. wide, 

 i^in. thick, and i6in. long; nailed on edge, 3in. back 

 from each end. These pieces keep the hive a sufficient 

 height off the ground and prevent the bottom board 

 twisting. 



Fig. 25. ALIGHTING BOARD. 



This is a very necessary part of the hive. Placed in 

 front of the entrance, it makes a capital landing stage 

 for the bees, and thus saves many from falling to the 

 ground when heavily laden. The platform e (Fig. 25) 

 is i6in. long, g'm. wide, and five-eighths of an inch 

 thick. The upper edge should be slightly bevelled, to 

 fit snug against the bottom board. The pieces a are 

 Sin. long and 4in. wide at their widest part, tapering 

 down to i^in. at the outer end. The handiest way of 

 making these is to cut them out of a board 5|in. wide 

 and lin. thick. Every eight inches of the board will 

 make two without any waste and save a deal of 

 cutting. 



COVER. 



This is a part of the hive that requires to be very 

 carefully made. Leaky covers are an abomination. 



