62 HIVES. 



when the hive is set close to the board, on account of rob- 

 bing. It is hkewise necessary to lower the hives to confine 

 the animal heat as much as possible, when the bees are 

 engaged in rearing young brood in cool weather, as 

 warmth is necessary to hatch the eggs and develop the 

 larvae. Those who desire it, can make an additional en- 

 trance to the hive, by boring a few holes in the side close 

 to the bottom. 



TOP OF HrVE NOT FASTBNBD. 



Instead of nailing a top to the hive, as I have heretofore 

 recommended, with holes through which the bees may as- 

 cend to the boxes, I would suggest that there be slats across 

 the top to support the combs, about three-fourths of an 

 inch wide, by half an inch thick, and half an inch apart, 

 one quarter inch below the top of the hive. Pour or five 

 strips, one quarter inch square, laid at equal distances 

 crosswise the slats, will be just even with the top of the 

 hive. The surplus boxes can be set on these, and the bees 

 will find their way into them sooner than through holes in 

 a top board. The queen is more liable to go up and de- 

 posit eggs, but not quite as much so, as if the boxes were 

 directly on the slats, and there is not much risk after the 

 hive is about full of comb, before the boxes are added, 

 which it should be. If such hive is to stand in the open 

 air for the winter, it will admit of a straw mat on the top, 

 after the boxes are oif, or the cap may be packed full of 

 hay, straw, or corn-cobs, to receive the moisture. 



A box for a cover or cap, 14 inches inside, will fit any 

 hive. The height of this cap should be 7 inches. Of 

 course other sizes will answer, but if we commence with 

 one that we can adhere to uniformly, no vexations will 

 arise by covers not fitting exactly. Where a double tier 

 of boxes is used, covers must be made to fit. This cover, 

 when on the hive, may rest on a strip of wood three- 



