126 - THE BEE keeper's MANUAIi. 



ones directly on the wall, when the extra cost of fuel to 

 warm them, far exceeds the interest on the additional ex- 

 pense which would be necessary to give them the requisite 

 protection ; to say nothing of the doctors' bills, and fatal 

 diseases which can be traced often to the dreary barns or 

 damp vaults which they build, and call houses ! 



Protector. 



I attach very great importance to the way in which I 

 give the bees effectual protection against extremes of heat 

 and cold, and sudden changes of temperature, without re- 

 moving them from their stands, or incurring the expense and 

 disadvantages of a covered Bee-House. This I accomplish 

 by means of what I shall call a Protector which is con- 

 structed substantially as follows. 



Select a dry and suitable location for the bees, where 

 they will not be disturbed, or prove an annoyance to others. 

 If possible, let it be in full sight of the sitting room, so that 

 they may be seen in case of swarming ; and let it face the 

 South-East, and be well protected from the force of strong 

 winds. Dig a trench, about two feet deep ; its length 

 should depend upon the number of hives to be accom- 

 modated ; and its breadth should be such that when it is 

 properly walled up, it should measure from the outside top 

 of one wall to another, just sufficient to receive the bottom 

 of the hive. The walls, may be built of refuse brick or 

 stones, and should be about four feet high from the founda- 

 tion ; the upper six inches being built of good brick, and 

 the back wall about two inches higher than the front one, so 

 as to give the bottom-board of the hives, the proper slant 

 towards the entrance. At one end of this Protector, a 

 wooden chimney should be built, and if the number of 



