( 66 ■) 



Inside measure, when nailed up, 18 in. across the front, 19 in. from 

 front to rear. A plinth, IJ in. wide, drops f in. below the surface 

 of floor-board to cany off wet. The slides for entrance are of 

 ^-in. wood, 10 in. long by 1^ in. wide, and pass through a slot cut 

 in the outer case along the guide-piece nailed across the front, 

 below porch. The latter extends along the whole front, and is 

 4| in. wide, with a groove cut in its lower edge to carry off drip. 



The second portion of the outer case is simply a ' lift,' 6 J in. deep, 

 wood same thickness as lower part, and needs no explanation beyond 



Fig. 3 Lift. 



reference to Fig. 3. This ' lift ' may be removed to reduce the 

 height of hive for winter, but we leave it on always ; it keeps off 

 cold winds when examining hive in the early season, and forms a 

 roomy covering fbr plenty of top packing, &c. 



The Roof is very simple, formed with a view to lightness, and 

 being thoroughly rainproof. The sketch (Fig. 4) will make the 

 main points in its construction plain ; for the rest, the front and 

 back pieces are \ in. thick, 20| in. long, 2^ in. deep at ends, 

 rising to 3J in. in the centre or ridge ; sides are of f-in, stuff, 

 20|- in. long, .2J in. deep. Along the lower edge of side-pieces a. 

 rabbet is cut | x | in. deep. This allows the roof to slip over the 



lower portion of the outer case, and so dispense with a plinth while 

 effectually keeping out the wet. The top of roof is of \ in. wood, 

 each piece being 24 x 12 in., and they meet in the centre, the 

 ridge-piece (of 3 x ^ in. stuff) being cut on the under side to cover 

 the joint as shown, so that no water can possibly get in. Hand- 



