24 



Secura a complete kerosene case, and carefully knock off one of the 

 broad sides; nail on the original cover, which will now form one of the 

 sides. If the sides of the case are not level all round build them up level 

 with fillets of wood. The inside depth should be 10 in. Next nail on at 

 each end, half an inch below the inside upper edges of the case, to suspend 

 the frames from, a fillet of wood § in. thick by f in. wide, and the length 

 of the inside end of the case. 



I would strongly lecominend the purchasing of " Hoffman " frames 

 from the manufacturers, as they require to be very accurately made, and 

 are rather diflScult to make by hand. If, however, it is desired to con- 

 struct them make the top bar ff in. wide by | in. deep, and 18f in. long. 

 Shoulders should be cut out on ends Jin. long, leaving a thickness of 

 ^ in. to rest on the fillets. The ends should be 8J in. long, the same width 

 as the top bar, and fin. thick; bottom bar 17^ in. long, fin. wide, 

 and Jill, thick. There are ten frames, and as they only cost Is. in the 

 flat and about lOd. postage, or, say, a trifle over 2d. per frame, it may 

 in many cases pay to purchase them. 



An entrance § in. wide by 6 in. long should be cut out of the lower 

 part of one end of the case, and a small alighting board be nailed on 

 underneath, projecting from 2 in. to 3 in. in front. (See Plate VI.) 



The cover can be made from the side knocked off, and should have 

 small fillets, I in. wide, nailed on right round the edge, to overlap the 

 body. Cover the top with ruberoid or other waterproof material, and 

 let it overlap the edges. (See Plate VII.) 



With regard to comb-foundation, see Chapter I. 



Top or surplus honey boxes can be made in the same way, but will 

 not require a bottom. 



When setting them out for the bees the hives can be placed on four 

 half-bricks, one at each corner; or, better, still, sink four beer-bottles 

 neck downwards in the ground, and set the hive on these. 



The cost of tliis outfit, if the settler makes fram.es and all, will be 

 under Is., after paying, say, id for the box; and if the frames are 

 purchased, under 2s. 6d., and his own labour. 



Mr. Stewart, of Crookston, Southland, had over 200 of such hives in 

 use last seasoD (1906-7), from which he secured between 11,0001b and 

 12,0001b. of first-class honey. 



