HIVES. 73 



are quite sure to starve before getting n supply from the 

 outside ones. A "winter passage from one comb to the 

 other, is very essential vrhen they are housed, but does 

 not insure their safety in the open air. 



Of course any bee-hive can be or]iamented accord- 

 ing to the fancy of the maker. The plain strip 

 around the top to support the cap, may be a heavy ogee 

 molding, or that cut into dentils would present a tasteful 

 appearance. The cap to cover the boxes may be orna- 

 mented in the same way, giving the whole a finished ap- 

 pearance, with but little trouble or expense. When 

 painted let the color be light, and put it on long enough 

 before using, to allow the rank smell of the oil to be lost. 

 To all who use any of the movable comb hives of 

 suitable shape, I would recommend, as a matter of econo- 

 my, that they make the straw hive also for wintering in 

 the open air, transferring in the beginning of winter. The 

 iuside should measure the same every way as the wooden 

 hive, or a very little larger. None of these hives are very 

 good for wintering bees out of doors, without at least a 

 straw mat for the top, similar to the one recommended by 

 Mr. Harbison. 



STKAW HIVB FOR WrNTEBING BEES. 



The straw hive that I use is made as follows : First, get 

 out four posts, two inches square, and ten and a half inches 

 long. Then, from an inch board make four strips, two 

 inches wide and twenty-four and a half long, and four of 

 the same width, sixteen and a half inches long. With 

 these, make two flat frames, I65X2O5 inside, by mortising 

 or halving at the corners. Jfow, set a post at each corner, 

 and nail through into the end, and the same with the 

 other frame at the other end of the posts, and you have a 

 frame ready to receive the straw. Nail a lath around the 

 middle, inside, another close to the bottom, and one at the 

 4 



