48 



Texas Department of Agriculture. 



Hive cover 



Hive Bottom. 



of the bottom board, affords an entrance to the hive, %xl4 inches, 

 just right under all conditions, which may, however, be regulated by 

 movable blocks. 



A satisfactory hive cover is one of the most essential requisites of 

 a good bee hive. It must be so constructed that it will resist warping, 

 shrinking and twisting, and protect the inside of the hive from the 

 weather and water. There are several good hive covers for sale by the 

 manufacturers of apiary supplies, while others are bad, especially for 

 our severe, hot and dry climate. Tin and zinc may be used in making 

 a good cover, but is expensive. An easily constructed cover is made of 

 two boards, 1x8 inches, 24 inches long, well cleated together at each 

 end by two cleats, lxl%xl6 inches. A three-inch batten is nailed over 

 the middle where the boards come together. The under side should 

 be flat and smooth, so the cover will lay flat on top of the hive. 



SURPLUS ARRANGEMENTS. 



So far we have described the hive with only its one-hive body. In 

 this the swarm, or colony, of bees occupies the ten frames in which 

 the combs are built, for rearing their brood and for storing honey 

 and pollen or "bee bread," for the immediate needs of the colony; 

 hence this is generally known as the "brood chamber." It is seldom 

 that honey is taken from this part of the hive. The surplus honey is 

 obtained from separate receptacles known as supers — -boxes of the 

 same outside dimensions as' the hive body, but varying in depth and 

 inside fixtures, depending upon the kind of honey that is to be pro- 

 duced by the beekeeper. Of this there are two kinds : First, comb 



honey, just as the bees build 

 it in the frames, and which 

 is cut out for the market by 

 the beekeeper; or it may be 

 built by the bees directly in 

 small, square pound boxes, 

 or "sections," in which the 

 honey is sold; and, second, 

 extracted honey, which is the 

 same as that stored in the 

 combs of comb honey, but is 

 thrown out of them by means 



Dovetailed hive with shallow super. 



