74 A Modem Bee-Farm 



the back and front walls so far that exactly 14^ inches are 

 allowed between the two, being J-inch to spare beyond the 

 length of the 14-inch standard frame at each end. A plinth, 

 16 inches by 2i inches, is inserted at the top and bottoni 

 between the two g-inch sides, filling in the space left at the 

 ends of the top bars, and at the same time being a very con- 

 venient arrangement for lifting the hive. The permanent 

 entrance is three inches wide and cut out of the floor, but full 

 width can be given by sliding the hive forward. 



The Cover 



is cut from 11 -inch stuff as shewn in Fig. 9 ; the long edge 

 being 21 inches and the other 7^ inches. The bevelled ^dges 

 for mitreing at the joints are cut off on the saw bench, but 

 where such cannot be obtained, the inside edge should be 

 gauged at -l-inch, and then planed down to the mark, leaving, 

 the outside edge untouched. Nail together with at least five 

 2-inch brads down each side. The top square is nine inches 

 across and screwed on from inside. There is no economy in 

 planing the wood other than on the outside ; but where this is 

 not done it requires very much more paint, and is liable to rot, 

 as the surface cannot be so well covered. 



The Standard frame and dummy are as represented, Figs. 

 10 and II ; the top bar of the former being f-inch thick 

 instead of the usual weak bar of only f - inch thickness. The 

 top bar may be either f-inch or i-inch wide. 



All covers must be painted also on the lower edge and two 

 or three inches up underneath as well. The floor requires 

 painting at least three inches from the edge all round both top 

 and bottom, as also the bottom edges of all compartments. 

 This is too frequently omitted, when the hive does not last a 

 fourth of the time it should. So long as all in sight is painted 

 that is generally considered sufficient, whereas the very parts 

 left undone happen to be the most vital, as it is at the joints 

 that the wet settles and soon causes mischief. 



