64 HIVES. 



now be slipped into tlie channels of the posts, the top 

 nailed on like the bottom, and the box is complete. Boxes 

 one-half or oue-third this size are preferred by many cus- 

 tomers, but the bees will, store more honey in large than 

 small ones. I have a method of holding the glass in place 

 by means of pieces of tin, but it has so little advantage 

 over those just noticed, that it is hardly worth while to 

 describe it minutely. 



GDIDB COMB. 



It will be found of great advantage, previous to nailing 

 on the top, to stick fast to it guide-comb, in the direction 

 you wish the bees to work. This will also induce them to 

 commence work several days sooner than if they had to 

 start the combs themselves. Put in as many as you wish 

 combs in the boxes. Pieces an inch square will do, and 

 two inches is about the right distance apart. To fasten 

 them, melt one 6dge by the fire, or melt some bees wax 

 and dip one edge in that, and apply before it cools. For 

 a supply of such combs, save all empty, clean, white pieces 

 when removing combs from a hive. 



For home consumption the wooden box answers equally 

 well for obtaining the honey, but gives no chance to watch 

 the progress of the bees, unless a glass is inserted for the 

 purpose, which will need a door to keep it dark, or a cov- 

 er over the whole like the one for glass boxes. "Wooden 

 boxes are generally made with open bottom, and set on 

 the top of the hive. A passage for the bees directly from 

 the box to the open air is unnecessary, and worse than 

 useless. They like to store their honey as far from the en- 

 trance as possible. Unless crowded for room, they will 

 not store much in the boxes when such entrances are 

 made. Whether we intend to consume or sell our surplus 

 honey, it is as well to have the hives and covers made so 

 that we can use glass boxes when we choose. 



