BEE SHEDS AND HOUSES. 149 
ones therefrom on to a board placed before the 
nucleus. The entrance-hole must be narrow, as the 
stock is, of course, one of the weakly kind most 
helpless against the attacks of marauding bees. 
BEE SHEDS AND HOUSES. 
Under the head of ‘‘ Hive Covers” we have shown in 
what way exposed hives can be protected from the 
effects of weather ; and where only one or two of them 
are kept, any of these might suffice. The case, 
however, is altered when a well-stocked apiary is 
aimed at, requiring a more complete provision for 
permanent safety. For this purpose, some proprietors 
like a covered shed or verandah, in a well-screened 
spot, partially open in the front only. There should 
be ample space inside for a passage behind the hives, 
which may be ranged far enough from the front to be 
beyond the reach of wet and too much sun. At page 
79 is given a description of a hive-range well adapted 
for a position like this. 
The wooden bee-houses which are sometimes con- 
structed—open in front, and closed altogether behind, 
retaining the sun’s heat as an oven—are objectionable. 
These are frequently the receptacles of dirt and 
vermin, and most inconvenient to operate in. It 
would be an improvement to make them deeper 
backwards; or with a falling front, moving on hinges, 
so that the hives can be recessed behind it, away from 
the influence of weather. At the back should be 
folding doors, opening from top to bottom, allowing a 
good access to the hives. For greater convenience, it 
