8 



PEiCTICiL BEE-KEEPING. 



Pm. 3, 



A rough and ready rule for findiug the contents of a round hive like a. 

 step will be useful. Multiply the internal height by the internal 

 diameter twice, and take three-fourths of the amount. For example,, if 

 the diameter be 16in. and the height 9in. . 9x16x16 = 2304 and three- 

 fourths 2304 = 1728 = the cubic content. 



Fig. 1 is a good shape, it is flat-topped, with a Sin. hole in the centre 

 of the crown. Have the block for the centre hole turned out of a piece 

 of liin. wood (Fig. 3). The straw will work 

 better round it and fit more closely if the edge 

 be grooved. Work rims on the top and bottom ; 

 the lower one will steady the hive on the 

 bottom board; to the upper the super may 

 be attached. The rim of wood which some per- 

 sons work on the bottom of the akep does not 

 add materially to the durability of the latter 

 when properly protected from damp, while it certainly makes the interior 

 less snug during winter. 



The super which is to receive the honey for the bee keeper may be 

 of straw, and of the same diameter as the hive. Wire pins, (common 

 hair pins will do capitally) passed through the straw in three or four 

 different parts will effectually keep the super in its place. When first 

 set up, mark the back part of the hive with a dab of paint ; in this way, 



should the hive be moved for any pur- 

 pose, it can be replaced accurately. 

 The direction of the combs should not 

 be altered, the bees preferring them 

 to run from front to back, and not 

 crosswise. Straw supers are complete 

 in themselves, while those of wood or 

 glass require covering in with some 

 form of jacket to make them equal 

 in all respects to their more humble 

 ompetitors ; but, if wood or glass be preferred for the super, then an 

 adapting board, with 3in. centre hole, iia. thick, must be fastened over 

 the flat top, and pegged or screwed down, the interstices being filled 

 with some luting, such as linseed-meal or clay. This board, to prevent 

 warping, had better be made of mahogany or two pieces of pine one- 

 eighth of an inch thick each, nailed and clenched together, with the 

 grain running opposite ways. 



If the crown be made of wood, it should not be less than lin. in thiok- 



■ ness, with three holes 2in. in diameter, with zinc slides running in grooves, 



as Fig. 4. The board can be best made to fit the straw work by tapering 



its edge and pressing it into place, and fixing by two or three nails. If 



more expense is not objected to. Neighbour's improved cottage hive 



Tin. 4. Stkiw SuPEBiNe Hive. 



