138 SPBING. 



profit of the thing, I will say that the bees will not 

 pay a cent towards extra expenses ; they will not do 

 a whit more labor in a painted house, than if it was 

 thatched with straw. When profit is the only object, 

 economy would dictate that labor shall be bestowed 

 only where there will be a remuneration. 



CHEAP ARRANGEMENT OP STANDS. 



So many kinds of bee-houses and stands have been 

 recommended — all so different from what I prefer, 

 that I perhaps ought to feel some hesitancy in offering 

 one so cheap and simple; but as profit is my object, I 

 shall offer no other apology. I have fifteen years' ex- 

 perience to prove its efiicacy, and have- no fears on 

 this score in recommending it. I make stands in this 

 way : a board about fifteen inches wide is cut off two 

 feet long; a piece of chestnut or other wood, two inches 

 square, is nailed on each end ; this raises the board 

 just two inches from the earth, and will project in 

 front of the hive some ten inches, making it admirably 

 convenient for the bees to alight before entering the 

 hive, (when the grass and weeds are kept down, which 

 is but little trouble). A separate piece for each hive 

 is better than to have several on a bench together, as 

 there can then be no communication by bees running 

 to and fro. Also we are apt }o give more room be- 

 tween them ; and a board or plank will make a stand . 

 for as many stocks when cut in pieces, as if left whole; 

 (and it ought to make more). 



