94 FORTY YEARS AMONG THE BEES. 



Two of these tin covers will be seen at Figf. 37, the 

 one at the right showing the under surface of the cover. 



ZINC COVERS. 



Fifty other covers are made on the same plan and 

 covered with zinc. These are not painted. So long as 

 they remain whole there is no need of paint, and whenever 

 there seems to be a possibility of their approaching any- 

 thing like a leaking condition they can be covered with 

 paint. The same might be said of the tin, only I expect 

 the zinc to stand the weather unpainted much longer than 

 the tin would. 



At Fig. 38 may be seen two of these zinc hive-covers. 

 The one at the right shows the upper or zinc surface. 

 The left one shows the under or wood surface ; and if you 

 look at the right end of this last cover you will see that 

 the upper layer of thin board projects three-fourths of an 

 inch so as to serve as a handle. One of these covers 

 weighs five pounds. 



A cover sent me by the A. I. Root Co. covered with 

 paper and painted, has been in use two years, and so far 

 it seems to stand as well as zinc or tin. Possibly this 

 paper may do as well as the metal and save expense. I 

 would rather pay a good price for a good cover, rain- 

 proof, bee-proof, non-warping, non-twisting, with a dead- 

 air space, than to take a poorer cover as a gift. 



The hundred covers I have mentioned were made 

 specially to order, but I am glad to see that the A. I. 

 Root Co. have now on their list a cover made on the same 

 principle. 



HIVE-STANDS. 



My hive-stands are simple and inexpensive (Fig 39). 

 They are made of common fence-boards 6 inches wide. 

 Two pieces 32 inches long are nailed upon two other 



