STRAW HIVES. 



11 



pitch. A sheet of newspaper should now be eyenly spread over it, when 

 by the application of a hot iron used after the manner of the laundress, 

 the pitch is remelted, and well incorporated both with the wood and the 

 papbr ; all cracks are closed and the cover made absolutely rain proof. 

 In winter, sacking, hay, straw, or fine shaTings should be filled in 

 between the hive and the bos. This method of waterproofing will furnish 

 a useful hint for treating covers for hives of other kinds, the carpentry 

 of which may not be of the most finished description. Mat earthen pans 

 (milk pans) are often used to roof skeps, but the largest of them are 

 too small for skeps such as we recommend. 



We have been very cordially thanked, by some straw hivists who have 

 felt the insufSciency of nulk pans, 

 for suggesting the felt cover now 

 described. (See Figs. 8 and 9.) 

 Felt is sold for 8d. the yard run, 

 and is 2ft. Sin. wide. It should 

 \ be cut as shown in Fig. 8. Make 

 " notch in a lath 17in. from 'its 

 end, at one inch from which bore 

 a hole with a bradawl, which stick 

 16m. from the end of the felt at 

 B, and equally distant, that is 16in., 

 in the notch in the lath run round the f circle 

 the awl at A and describe the J circle B D F. 

 covers through F A, B E. Draw their 

 straight edges together until one 

 edge touches the dotted line. Tack 

 these two edges together into a thin 

 lath and the cover is in form. The 

 waste pieces of felt, which will be 

 very small, will suffice for tour straps 

 to be fastened underneath by clenched 

 nails and which may be tied to the 

 hive by a string passing round it. 

 This will effectually prevent the cover 

 being blown away in the stiffest gales. 

 Fig. 9 shows the cover complete ; it 

 will be 24in. in diameter, G H, and 

 will afford, in consequence of its 

 greater size, far better protection than 

 a milk pan, while it costs only Sid. Pitched and ironed or coated with tar 

 and afterwards sprinkled with hot sand this cover wiU last many years. 



KTo cover is more rustic, and at the same time more cosy in appearance, 

 than the straw-hackle, while it is equally good for summer and winter. 



Pig. 9. Felt Hive Covee. 



, from each edge. With chalk held 

 AGE; now place 

 Cut out the two 



Fig, 



10. EnsTic Hive Covee 03 

 Steaw Hackle, 



