HIVES. 47 



if we avoid extremes, and give the required room, the 

 shape can make but little difference. 



It has been recommended to plane the boards for 

 hives, " inside and out ;" but bees, when first put into 

 such hive, find much difficulty in holding fast until 

 they get their combs started, hence this trouble is 

 worse than useless. 



DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING HIVES, 



If hives are not desired of the cheapest possible con- 

 struction, the outside may be planed and painted; but 

 it is doubtful whether strict economy would demand 

 it. Yet a painted hive appears so much better, that 

 it ought to be done, especially as the paint adds al- 

 most enough to its durability to pay the expense. 

 The color may be whatever fancy dictates ; the moth 

 will not probably be attracted by one color more than 

 another. "White is affected the least by the sun in 

 hot weather. Lime is put on as white-wash, annual- 

 ly, by many, as a protection. against insects. 



"When hives are hot painted, the grain should never 

 be crosswise, having the width of boards form the 

 height ; not that the bees would have any dislike to 

 suieh, but nails will not hold firmly, they draw out in 

 a few years. The size, shape, materials, and manner 

 of putting together, are now sufficiently understood, 

 for what I want. Sticks half an inch in diameter, 

 should cross each way through the centre, to help sup- 

 port the combs. A hole about an inch diameter in the 

 front side, half way to the top, is a great convenience 

 for the bees to enter when coming home heavy laden. 



