THE APIARY. 139 



CANAL DOTTOM-BOARD DISCARDED. 



1 used what is termed a canal bottom-board, uutil I 

 fc and out it did not pay expense, and "have now dis- 

 carded it, and succeed just as well. It is generally re- 

 commended as a preventive of robberies, and keep- 

 ing out the moth. It may prevent one hive in fifty 

 from being robbed ; but as for keeping out the moth, 

 it is about as good an assistant for it as can be con- 

 trived. It is a place of great convenience for the worms 

 fo spin their cocoons, and some ingenuity of the apia- 

 tian is requisite to get at them. 



SOME ADVANTAGE IS BEING NEAR THE EARTH. 



I am aware that I go counter to most apiarians, in 

 recommending the stands so near the earth ; less than 

 two or three feet between the bees and the earth, it is 

 said, will not answer any way. Mr. Miner is very po- 

 sitive on this point, in his Manual. I ventured to sug- 

 gest to him,. that there was more against it in theory, 

 than in practice, and gave him my experience. In 

 less than two years from that time I visited him, and 

 found his bees close to the earth. Experience is worth, 

 a dozen theories ; in fact, it is the only test to be de- 

 pended upon. I shall not urge the adoption of any 

 rule, that I have not proved by my own practice. The 

 objection raised, is dampness from the. earth, when too 

 near; I am unable to- perceive the least bad effect. 

 Now let us compare advantages and disadvantages a 

 little farther. One hive or a row of hives suspended, 

 or standing on a bench, two or three feet from the earth, 

 when approached by the bees on a chilly afternoon^ 



