174 ON BEES AND HONEY. 



men of fifteen hives in my Apiary. The construction and 

 dimension of this hive, I consider superior to any that I have 

 ever seen, and are as foUows : Length on the back side two 

 feet, front two feet three inches. This slant on the bottom en- 

 ables the bee to drag out all dead bees, and filth easily. 

 Width eleven inches and a ha?f, (this width I choose on ac- 

 connt of my glass, I buy ten by twelve, and cut it in the 

 middle which answers for half hives,) breadth one foot two in- 

 ches ; these dimensions are in the clear, seven inches and a 

 half from the top, it is separated for the top box, under this is^ 

 a little shelf, four inches deep and four inches wide, for two 

 small boxes which hold about two pounds each ,' these are 

 very handy and convenient, in case you want to draw a small 

 quantity for a sick friend, or for a luxury. Under this shelf, is 

 a glass five inches wide, which looks into the body of the 

 hive. The bottom is put on with butts on one side, and with 

 small wire hasps on the other, and a two inch wood screw in 

 the centre behind. In the centre of the hive, I have a piece 

 four incliL'S wide, Iralf an inch thick, firmly secured to the cen- 

 tre piece, running down within the reach of the bees, at the 

 bottom, for a direct comnmracatioii with the upper box, and 

 stay to the comb, which I find is all that is necessary. 



There arc two passages to the large box, one four inches 

 long and half an fnch wide ; the other two and' one half inches 

 square, next to the back shelf These botes should be in the 

 centre, and on a line, that tlie communication may be cut off 

 with one piece of zinc or tiu. The holes into tlie small boxes 

 shouM be two inches square. On the back part of the hive 

 there are two doors, one hung^ at the top, and the other at the 

 Ivottom, and both secured with one- button in the middle. My 

 hives and boxes are all made of uniform size, so that any box 

 will suit any hive. The boxes are fixed with gl'ass in front,, 

 slipped in a groove, cut on each side, so that I can ascertain the 

 amoiMiitof honey, and the condition- of my bees, at any time. 

 On each side of the hive, (at the bottoii of tha lower door be- 

 hind,) are pieces firmly nailed to the hive, one and a half in- 

 ches wide, and hal'f an inch thick, projecting out four inches 

 before and behind, which answers for handles t/o carry t/hemi by. 



