14 



THE PRACTICAL BEE GUIDB. 



may be moved, and the minimisingr of the risk of crushing 

 bees, and even of killing' queens, during manipulations (182). 

 Between the bottom bars of the frames and the floor board (85) 

 a space of i-inch should be left. It follows from what has been 

 said that accuracy in the making of hives is essential. If it 

 be desired to manufacture hives at home, one good hive, as a 

 pattern, should be procured, and the measurements of that 

 hive, so far as the internal dimensions are concerned, should 

 6e followed with the utmost exactness. The' timber should 

 be of good quality and thoroughly seasoned. American 

 seasoned pine is largely used in the manufacture of the best 

 hives. All wooden hives require to be kept well painted to 

 protect the timber from the effects of the weather. 



84. The " Federa- 



-j) tion " Hive (Figs, ig 

 and 2o) consists of 

 four parts, ' viz. ; — 

 Floor board and Legs 

 (A) ; Body box or 

 Brood chamber (B) ; 

 Lift or "Riser" (G), 

 and Roof (D). 



85. The Floor 

 Board (Fig. 20, A) is 

 made of two pieces 

 of timber {a, a) i6J"x 

 11" X i", rabbeted i" 

 and nailed or screwed 

 to two rails (6) 23^'' 

 X 2" X I", to which 

 rails the legs (c) 8i" 

 X 3'' X 2", are fast- 

 ened. The rails are 

 chamfered to 2oi" at 

 the front ends, and on 

 the chamfers is nailed 

 the alighting board 

 (d), i6|'' X 4i" X I"; 

 the upper edge cham- 

 fered to an angle of 

 60° ; and the lower 

 edge rabbeted f" x |" (e) to form a rest for a hiving board (233). 

 In the fioor board a round hole 2" in diameter is cut as a 

 ventilator (v and Fig. 21), and is covered on the upper side with 

 perforated zinc, the under side having a piece of wood 7" x 3" x 

 I" screwed to the floor board, so that it can be revolved to open 

 or close the ventilator at will (91. 218. Fisr. iii.) 



Fig, 20, 



THE " FEDERATION " HIVE. 

 (The Parts Separated.) 



