210 A Modern Bee-Farm a 
One thing of the utmost importance to which I have 
often had occasion to call attention, is the 
Space below the Frames. 
The regulation distance of 3-inch is certainly allowed 
between the bottom rail of the frame and the floor of the 
hive when first made, but this is not enough, as the 
exposure causes the side walls to shrink fully 4-inch. 
This makes it quite inconvenient and disagreeable in 
replacing frames, as well as where hives are tiered up; 
and though $-inch clear may not work quite well between 
upper storeys at fitst, it will:soon come right by shrinkage 
when anything like 9-inch stuff is used, though it may be 
considered that the wood has been already well seasoned. 
Now the $-inch space is not sufficient for winter, and where 
a lower rim cannot be added to the hive, a circular hole 
should be cut in the centre of the floor board, about 
2 inches in diameter, which will greatly assist ventilation, 
while providing the inmates with a ready means of 
disposing of their refuse, dead~ bees, etc. Failing either 
of the foregoing, the frames can be raised by placing 2-inch 
strips under the projecting ears. My pamphlet of 1886 on 
Prevention of Swarming, explained how the non-swarming 
chamber was left all the winter under the stock with good 
results, but it is only within the last few years that the 
advantage of a deep space under the stock frames has been 
realized by the majority of bee-keepers. 
Dysentery and, other ills are brought on by the too 
common neglect of this matter, dead bees drop to the 
floor and clog the shallow space under the frames, then 
getting into a mass ventilation is impeded, and when a 
fine day does occur the bees have enough to do to find 
the entrance, while the dead and rubbish remain untouched, 
only to be added to during the next cold spell. Insufficient 
