98 HIVES. 



mended for the boxes, and the vacancies, that 

 would otherwise be left between the ends of the 

 bars, should be made quite level, with bits of 

 wood, cow-dung, or any other convenient sub- 

 stance. If a single board be used, that, of course, 

 must be cut into bars of the proper widths. The 

 direction of the bars should always be from front 

 to back. 



Middle boards and floors will be equally required 

 for storifying hives as for boxes ; but the outside 

 covers should be made of straw, like round mats, 

 and be wide enough to extend an inch beyond the 

 edges of the hives, if used in an out-door apiary. 

 The whole story should be covered with a good 

 hackel or cap, secured in its place by an iron 

 hoop or a properly weighted wooden one, to pre- 

 vent it from being blown down. As clean fresh 

 rye straw is most suitable for constructing the 

 hive itself, so it will be the best for forming the 

 hackel with : the latter should be changed before 

 it begins to decay, that it may not become offen- 

 sive to the bees from its odour, nor be selected 

 by insects as a nidus for their eggs. 



The apiarian, if he be desirous of having glass 

 windows in his straw hives, may accomplish this 

 object by cutting with a sharp knife through two 

 of the bands of straw, in two places, about three 

 inches asunder. The windows are generally cut 

 opposite the entrance, and about the centre, but 



