12 AN EAST METHOD 



Hives should have cleats on their sides, so as to suspend 

 them in the air, some distance from the floor of the apiary, 

 the better to secure the bees from destruction by the mice, 

 reptiles, and vermin. 



The bade side or rear of the lower apartment of the hive, 

 should slant forward, so as to render the same smallest at 

 the bottom, the better to secure the combs from falling 

 when cracked by frost, or nearly melted in hot weather. 



No timbers or boards should be placed very near the 

 lower edge of the hive, because it facilitates the entrance 

 of depredators. That the back side should slant forward is 

 obvious, from the fact that bees generally rest one edge of 

 their comb on that side, and build towards the front in such 

 a manner as to enter upon the same sheet where they intend 

 to deposit their stores, when they first enter the hive, with- 

 out being compelled to take any unnecessary steps. 



The bottom of the hive should slant downward from.rear 

 to front, so as to afford the greatest facility to the bees to 

 clear their tenement of all offensive substances, and let the 

 water, which is occasioned by the breath and vapor of the 

 bees, run off in cold weather. It also aids the bees very 

 much in preventing the entrance of robbers. 



The bottom board should be suspended by staples and 

 hooks near each corner of the hive, in such a manner as to 

 afford a free entrance and egress to the bees on all its sides, 

 which will better enable them to keep their tenement clear 

 of moths. 



There should be a button attached to the lower edge of 

 the rear of the hive, so as to enable the apiarian to govern 

 the bottom board in such a manner as to give all the air 

 they need, or close the hive £tt pleasure. We have for a 

 number of years past used the Canal Bottom Board to the 

 best advantage on all our hiyes, [See Fig, 4 in Appendix.] 



