1905. 



THE AMERICAN BEE-KEEPER. 



45 



tie distance from the bottom, as shown A few of the advantages to be gain- 

 in Fig. 1, «o that when the bottom ed by the use of this combined hive 

 board is dropped down into the base or stand and bottom board may be briefly 

 stanil as a bottom thereto, and said pointed out. 



iront board inserted, tiiis projection re- Beas placed in the cellar, or special 

 tains the bottom board securely in repo-sitory in lieu thereof, often, and 

 position, the rear end of the bottom in fact generally, leave the cluster and 

 board projecting under a suitable cleat their hives in considerable numbers, 

 as clearly appears in Pig. 3. When the as they fre(iueutly become uneasy as 

 adjustment is, as apears in Fig. 3, the the result of long confinement, insuf- 

 base or stand is clo-sed bee tight. The ficient ventilation or other disturbing 

 screen on each side allows of the free causes. Bees that so leave their hives 

 circulation of air in the hive and com- and the cluster are sure to die on the 

 partment formed by thi^ boxlike stand floor, as it i*s impossible for them to re- 

 so that the bees suffer no iuconven- turn in the cold and confusion. The 

 ience from their confinement for cellar colonies are thus weakened in propor- 

 wintei'ing or for any of the other ob- tion to such losses, often resulting in 

 jects for which it is necessary to con- their death or their becoming so weak 

 fine them. as to be useless for the approaching 



The front board is provided with a honey harvest. By means of this de- 

 pair of loops on the upper outside edge vice, when the hive and bottom board 

 which are adapted to engage corres- are adjusted as indicated in Fig. 3, the 

 ponding hooks on the front of the bot- bee^s are unable to get so far away 

 torn board for the purpose of attach- from the cluster that they cannot re- 

 iiig and detaching them. turn and the colonies, not meeting with 



ThivS bottom board is made some- the losses incident to the usual man- 

 what narrower than the inside' width ner of inside wintering are a strong 



and healthy condition in the spring. 

 It is a matter of the utmost importance 

 to save all the bees which have the 

 necessary vitality to pass the winter, 

 as it is these bees that make the 

 colony capable of profitable work dur- 

 ing the honey harvest. 



In the moving of bees this stand and 

 bottom board permits of the expedi- 

 tious closing and opening of the hives 

 to confine them, or admit them to 

 flight, as the case may be. To close 

 of the stand so as to allow of free the hive and stand it is only necessary 

 movement and prevent any binding to detach the alighting board (front 

 tliat might occur from swelling in board.) pull the bail forward and allow 

 lamp weather. The bottom board, be- it to drop into the rabbet in the front 

 ng pressed tightly against the lower sill, (not shown in the engraving) 

 nu-face of the upper inside rim, when lower the bottom board to its lower 

 u normal outdoor use, the edges there- position and insert the front board. 

 jf at sides and rear are entirely out of To open the hive, the above operation 

 ■each of the bees, so that no propoliz- is reversed, that is, withdraw the 

 ng of the edges, can ever occur. The front board, raise the bottom board 

 uiies Avhen an enlarged entrance is and slide it back into position above 

 losirable, such as in periods of heavy the flexible Avire spring at rear of in- 

 loney flow or in hiving swarms, are side of stand. swing the bail 

 »rief and at the season when little or .support up under the bottom board 

 10 propolis is used by the bees. If any and attach the front board to serve as 

 iropohs should ever get between the an alighting board. This enables the 

 )ottom board and the upper inside rim apiarist to expeditiously prepare and 

 he yielding springs Avil] press it out move the bees to the cellar in the fall 

 lat. A little propolis will nndoubted- and from the cellar in the spring and 

 V be stuck along the line of contact to and from out-apiaries. They are 

 'f the bottom board and the lower in- also thus quickly prepared to ship long 

 ide edge of the upper inside rim, just distances by freight, express or other- 

 s it is in the angle of the sides and wise. This handling, shipping and 

 ipper surface of all bottom boards, moving of bees is done with safety 

 •ut it is no serious objection here any from stings to the operatives, eni- 

 Qore than it is along the edges of sup- ployees of transportation companies 

 rs and hives. and horses and also in perfect safety 



Fig. 



