BOARDS. 63 



The Leaf or Unicomb Hive. 



This may be called " The Observatory Hive," for no 

 other hive can be compared to it for observation ; and it 

 appears to us that no other is necessary. In this hive 

 every bee, and aU. it does, can be seen, as well as all the 

 movements of the queen and the attention she receives. 

 A square or round hive with glass windows is all but use- 

 less for observing what goes on inside. All that can be 

 seen in them are some combs and bees next the windows. 

 But when there is only one comb with glass on each side 

 of it, there is opportunity given for witnessing the inter- 

 nal operations of a bee-hive. As the unicomb hive is not 

 meant for honey or profit, we need say little about it. 

 To those engaged in the investigation of the habits of 

 bees, we strongly recommend the use of unicomb hives. 



CHAPTEE XV. 



BOARDS. 



Boards should be about 1 inch wider than the hives 

 standing on them. They are best when made of one 

 piece, without seam or junction. But whether made of 

 one piece or two, it is necessary to nail two bars of wood 

 on the under side of each board, to keep it from warping or 

 twisting. The wood of which boards are made should be 

 either f or 1 inch thick. 



The flight -boards should be 7 inches in diameter. 

 Small flight-boards are objectionable, for bees returning 

 with heavy loads often miss them. This is not aU ; for 



