142 AUSTRALIAN BEE LORE AND BEE CULTURE- 



contracted to any smaller width required, by means of triangular 

 pieces of wood as shown in the Heddon Hive. Or it can be con- 

 tracted by the means of two pieces of 1-inch thick wood cut in the 

 form of a scalene triangle (three unequal sides), the longest side 

 being half the length of the opening. If so required, the two 

 entrance-blocks will completely close the entrance to the hive. The 

 sides of these triangular blocks being di three different dimensions, 

 offer any degree of contraction or expansion of the entrance to the 

 hive, from that of full width to that of only sufficient for one bee 

 to pass at a time. The longest sides of the entrance blocks being 

 half the whole length of the entrance, the longest sides entirely 

 close it when needed. 



THE ALIGHTING BOARD. 



This may be made separately and detached from the bottom- 

 board, as shown below. 



It will be seen that its position is in the front of the hive 

 at the entrance. The inclined plane makes a splendid platform 

 for weary bees to ascend to the hive. By means of these inclined 

 plane alighting-boards the life of many a bee is saved, and many 



A B or D, 16 in. ; A O or B D, 10 in. ; B E, 3 in. 



a load of honey carried home that would have been otherwise lost. 

 It should be made the length of the width of the hive, thus the 

 platform would be 16 in. x 10 in. It should be so constructed that 

 the upper edge of the alighting-board should come flush with the 

 surface of bottom-board, the lower edge resting on the ground. If 

 a detached alighting-board be used, the bottom-board need not be 

 the; full 24 inches. 



