28 HIVING BEES. 



which are cut three grooves. The wood is bent or folded 

 at these grooves, arid the operation of putting them together 



Fig. 9.— lib. Section (flat). 



is so simple that it is impossible to make any mistake in it. 

 The price charged for one pound sections is twenty-two 

 shillings a thousand, or about half-a-crown a hundred. 



CHAPTER IV. 



Having described the principal, appliances required in 

 modern bee-keeping, the proper way to use them must now 

 be considered, the first step being to get the hive ready for 

 the swarm. 



The place on which the hive is to stand should, be level 

 and free from weeds. The front of the hive may face any 

 direction, except the east, as the cold, drying winds from 

 that quarter are not good for bees. The frames must be in 

 their proper positions, and close up to each other. The 

 feeder is filled with syrup, made by pouring a quart of 

 boiling water on three pounds of sugar, and the quilt is laid 

 evenly over the frames, care being taken not to leave any 

 opening by which the bees could pass into the super cover. 

 The entrance slides are opened to the fullest extent, or, if 

 the hive has a movable floorboard, it is let down in front 

 about an inch. On a box or large flower-pot, in front of the 

 hive, is placed a light board, about a yard square, so that its 

 edge comes close to the edge of the floorboard, the junction 

 being covered by a newspaper or a piece of calico, kept in 

 its position by means of stones. To protect the operator, a 

 veil made in the form of a bottomless bag of a yard of black 

 silk net (which will cost about ninepence), with a piece of 

 elastic through a hem at one end, will be required. This 

 goes round the crown of the hat, and the lower part is tucked 

 under the coat collar. This arrangement will eifectually 



