24 MAKING A START WITH BEES 
factory. The piece covers are made of such light material that 
they do not, as a rule, last as long as is desirable. 
More and more are the metal top covers coming into general 
favor. These covers are flat topped and made of a sheet of 
galvanized steel or iron on a wood frame that telescopes over the 
top of the hive. <A thin inner cover is used under them. This 
makes an air space of nearly one-fourth inch between the inner 
cover and the corrugated paper or board, with which the cover is 
lined. The telescope feature makes the cover much less likely 
to be blown off during high winds. 
Fic. 14 —Mctal top cover with flaxboard. 
The chief objection to these covers is the fact that they get 
very hot when the hive is in direct sunlight in warm weather. 
If sufficient provision for ventilation is made, the effect will not 
be so noticeable. If painted with a light-colored paint, less heat 
will be absorbed than if painted some dark color. Dark-colored 
paints are not suitable for bee hives. Fig. 14 shows a metal top 
cover with flaxboard used above the inner cover. 
Flavboard is a new absorbent and insulating material which 
has recently appeared in the market. It is composed of flax 
fiber pressed into sheets of suitable thickness. Although not vet 
extensively tested, it seems to give excellent satisfaction where 
