46 BEE-FARMING. 



suitable, and will not make good rain-proof covers, for 

 the stalks of wheat, after passing through the machine, are 

 often much crushed and bruised. Barley and oat straw 

 may answer, although not so serviceable as wheaten straw. 

 First procure as long straw as possible, and grasp as much 

 with the left hand as will cover one hive when equally 

 spread out. Grasp it just beneath the ears, not the root 

 end, and tie it tightly with strong whipcord passed several 

 times round it ; then take an empty skep, exactly of the 

 same size as those containing the bees, and place the tied 

 straw over it, spreading it out of an equal thickness all 

 round; now make a band (a small cane split down the 

 centre will make two), pass the band over the straw so as 

 to fit rather closely about the middle, and saturate the 

 straw with water, at the same time press the uneven parts 

 with a flat piece of wood. When dry it will be stiff, so as 

 to lift off and preserve its shape, although it is well to tie 

 on the cane with thin tv/ine, which only requires a little 

 patience. Trim it neatly round with the scissors, leaving 

 an arched entrance for the bees. The tuft of ears at the 

 summit may either be cut ofF or, when the wheat is knocked 

 out, left as an ornament. We prefer the latter, it has a 

 better effect. Sometimes they are painted stone colour, 

 with two coats of paint, and with careful usage they will 

 last for several years. 



RUSTIC BEE-SHEDS. 



Quite as many opinions prevail about bee-stands and 

 b;e-houses as are to be met with about bee-hives. Whilst 

 one person advocates keeping the stocks on distinct stands, 

 another fancies it is better to have a splendid house made 

 for his bees, so that he can place about ten hives " all in a 

 row," but every hive touching each other. So far as 

 keeping bees on distinct and separate stands, so that the 

 hives are not less than three feet apart, no one can be a 



