46 



THE PRACTICAL BKE GUIDE. 



pieces, 3" x |", are screwed to the insides, 5" from the 

 bottom. When in position the lift overlaps the body box, and 

 in winter it is reversed and telescoped over the body box, thus 

 providing additional walls, and assisting' to preserve the heat 

 of the brood chamber. The lift, in summer, serves to enclose 

 the supers (99), and allows sufficient space for packing round 

 them. When the lift is reversed for winter, the porch is re- 

 moved from the body box, and is fastened to the lift, in a 

 corresponding position (378 and Fig-. 116, page 207). 



88. The Roof (Fig. 20, D) measures internally igl'Mong x iSJ" 

 wide X 5J" deep in front, and 42" deep at the back. It is made 

 of two pieces, 2 if" x 54" running to 44" x i" for the sides; 

 one piece, igf" x 5^" x J", for the front; and one piece, iqs" 

 X 4i" X J", for the back. The front and back are rabbeted i" 

 to overlap the lift. On these are nailed two pieces, 23" x loj" x 

 J", which are covered with zinc, thus making the roof perfectly 

 rain and snow proof. The roof slopes to the back to throw 

 off rain. It makes a convenient table for the smoker, and other 

 appliances, when neighbouring hives are being manipulated. 

 When in position the roof overlaps the lift. Two holes, li" in 

 diameter, are cut in the gables ; the front hole having two 

 escape cones (?) fitted to it, to permit the exit of bees which 

 otherwise might be imprisoned, and the back hole being 

 covered inside with perforated zinc. These holes act as ventila- 

 tors, and the cones are some imes used for the purpose 



of clearing bees from 

 supers (273). Roofs are 

 also madeA-shape (Fig. 

 23). In this case the 

 front, back and sides 

 are the same length as 

 the roof described above. 

 Four pieces, 24I" x 6j" 

 y I", feathered to i", 

 form the cover, over- 

 lapping each other 1"; 

 and a ridge board, 241" 

 is fitted on the top. The objection to 

 such roofs lies in their tendency to open at the joints, and to 

 admit damp. They should be kept well painted. (See 91.) 



<s^ 



HOOF. 



cut out , 



89. The "W.B.C." Hive (Fig. 24).— Tins hive, which is so 

 popular in England, consists of the following separate parts, 

 as illustrated: — Stand; floorboard; body box (a), to take xo 

 standard frames and a division board; a 9" cover (e), with 

 porch and doors, to enclose the body-box, leaving room for 

 packing; super (c), to take 10 shallow frames and a division 



