126 ONE YEAR AMONG THE BEES. 



two-inch soft white-pine plank filled with holes not quite through, thus 

 forming a trough, and the partitions between the holes make a good 

 foothold for the bees, so that none are lost by drowning. It may be 

 made any size, but I prefer it just large enough to cover the entire top of 

 hive neatly, and a few holes in the center put clear through for the bees 

 to pass up and down. It is placed in an upper empty story, and with 

 the lid on all is secure. In the illustration the side of the upper 

 chamber is removed to show the feeder in place. This may be easily 

 improved for a cool-weather feeder, by nailing a strip around the up- 

 per out edges, half an inch high, and dropping a cover down on this, 

 which will give the bees good working room under it : and then fill 

 the upper story with a chaff cushion or old clothes, and thus retain 

 the natural warmth of the bees. 



FIG. 21. Feeding bees. 

 HOUSE APIARIES. 



The illustration (fig. 22) shows the location of hives of bees in a 

 building. I should, perhaps, not say "house apiary," as house apia- 

 ries are generally known as very fine, expensive constructions, very 

 peculiarly erected, and the more peculiar the better. But leaving 

 out the peculiarity, and getting down to practical business, I use 

 "any old house," and after having experience in handling bees in a 



