i86 A Modern Bee Farm 



1 can assure Mr. Dadant there is nothing at all strange 

 about the bees doing well with no floor boards. For many 

 years past I have been trying to get bee-keepers to adopt 

 an empty chamber under the actual stock, both summer 

 and winter. The reports that come in show conclusively 

 that the deep space under the stock is the only means of 

 keeping the hive cool in summer, and thoroughly dry all 

 winter without the least draught through the cluster, 

 which actually hangs in a dense mass below the combs 

 during the severest weather. Thus 



A perfect Winter Arrangement 



of the combs is secured in the manner already shown with 

 reference to the description of the Conqueror hive, which 

 with its 6 to lo inches below the stock hive offers every 

 possible advantage in respect of disposing of the whole of 

 the calamities previously mentioned as to bad ventilation. 



Where bees are wintered on Standard frames in long 

 hives, whether the brood nest is placed at the back or front 

 of the hive, the dummy next the open space must stand 

 clear of the side walls, just as the frame does. Those who 

 have followed the advice sometimes given, to the effect 

 that such dummy must be tight fitting and have an en- 

 trance of only two inches or less cut out of the bottom 

 edge, will have reason to appreciate the loose fitting board. 



When keeping bees in a loft, Mr. Cowan, the present 

 editor of the British Bee Journal, raised the crown board 

 of his hives with small pieces of wood, such as match ends, 

 as well as giving the same space between the floor and body 

 of the hive. Perfect ventilation was in this manner secured 

 without draught, being in a large closed space ; but the 

 same plan could not be thought of with hives standing 

 in the open. 



Really there is nothing to be done to the bees during 



