56 AUSTRALASIAN BEE MANUAL 



these are rabbeted the same as the ends. The ridge 

 board (Fig. 28) is 2 ft. long, 4in. wide and seven-eighths 

 of an inch thick. This should be rabbeted on the under 

 side in a sloping manner, similar to the rabbets shown 

 in the figure, tapering off from nothing at the edge to 

 five-eighths of an inch at the deepest part. The width 

 of each rabbet from the edge is ifin., leaving ifin. of 

 the full thickness in the centre, corresponding with the 

 top centre of end pieces. When making my hives by 

 hand I had an iron fitted to my plough made the shape 

 of these rabbets, which was the means of saving much 

 time and labour. 



Fig. 29. ROOF BOARD OF COVER. 



The roof boards (Fig. 29) are made of five-eighths 

 of an inch timber 2ft. long by Sin. wide, the lower edge 

 being slightly bevelled to suit the slope of the cover. 



To put the cover together, the sides and ends are 

 nailed first ; then place the ridge piece on, allowing it 

 to project an equal distance at eajch end, but before 

 nailing it, put on one of the roof boards in its place — 



Fig. 30. COVER COMPLETE. 



the upper edge under the ridgf;, and nail through both 

 ridge and board to the end pieces. Now nail the other 

 board on in the same manner, and fasten both boards 

 securely round the sides. The engraving (Fig. 30) 

 shows the cover finished. 



