38 THE A^IAHY; OB, 



the board, beginning at the edge, and continuing on the same level 

 until inside the hive, where it slopes upwards. This entrance is 

 about f of an inch high where the hive crosses it. 



These straw hives have been generally made without windows ; 

 as Mr. Woodbury and other scientific apiarians so prefer them. 

 They consider that glass windows are unsuited for winter, because 

 then moisture condenses on the glass. There is no doubt that the 

 having a peep hole or two in a hive adds very agreeably to its value 

 for amateur bee-keepers, and to meet the wishes of such, we have 

 had straw hives constructed with windows. It is not every one who 

 would like to lift out the frames as often as is necessary for an 

 inspection of the state of the colony, nor, perhaps, is it advisable to 

 be often thus meddling. The windows have also a very neat appear- 

 ance. "We have hives with one, and some with two and three 

 windows ; of course, a little extra expense is incurred where these 

 are made ; but that is not objected to by those who approve of the 

 additional convenience. The crown board (if correct to call a 

 straw top by that name) has, like the hive, a frame of wood all 

 round, and a square piece of wood in the centre, with a two inch 

 hole ; this hole is for the purpose of administering food in a mode 

 to be explained hereafter. A circular block of wood, 4 inches ia 

 diameter, closes the opening. 



GLASS BAE AND FRAME HIVES. 



Some bee-keepers like to be able 

 to make a fuU and daily inspection of 

 J the hive; we have therefore prepared 

 a few hives, constructed of wooden 

 frames enclosed on all sides and on 

 the top with window glass. The 

 dimensions are precisely the same as those before mentioned, and allow 

 of the same number of bars and frames (ten). The crown has a 

 round hole cut in the glass to admit of feeding. The four sides are 

 constructed of double glass, to preserve the bees from variations of 

 temperature. We cannot, however, recommend this hive for a winter 

 residence for the bees ; we should prefer lifting the combs out with 

 the bees, and placing them in a straw hive of similar construction, 



