66 



HANDY BOOK OF BEES. 



too tliin for a burning sun ; tence it is wise to place some 

 hay, heatiier, or rags between the felt and the hives. 



Sods cut off peaty land and dried, are impervious to 

 water, and make excellent summer coverings. But straw 

 coverings are incomparably the best of all — best for 

 summer as well as winter ; and they look better than 

 anything else I have seen used as covers for bee-hives. 



Straw Covers, 



A row of well-thatched bee-hives, all nicely clipped, 

 standing in a cottage garden, conveys to the mi^d of people 

 passing by the idea of comfort and profit. When first 

 used the covers should be dipped in water, then fitted on. 

 Thus they set and stiffen, and may be lifted off and on 

 like a man's hat. In another chapter the reader will be 

 urged to use plenty of warm materials beneath the outer 

 covering of hives in winter. 



CHAPTER XVII. 



STINGS. 



If bees had not been furnished with weapons of de- 

 fence, the probability is great that they would have been 

 destroyed centuries ago. The treasures of a bee-hive are 



