26 BEE-KEEPING FOR PROFIT - 
the smaller sizes especially come in handy for 
queen rearing purposes, or when strengthening 
nucleus. 
The Floorboard.—The hive bottom, or 
floorboard, which includes the sloping platform 
outside the hive, on which the bees alight, 
should be removable for the purposes of clean- 
ing—which must be done thoroughly at least 
twice a year. This alighting board should pro- 
vide for an entrance + of an inch below the 
level of the sides and back of the hive and 
should slope upwards to the floorboard about 4 
or 5 inches inside the hive. 
When hives are moved frequently from one 
district to another it is advisable to have a short 
alighting board, as less space is thereby taken 
up in the removal conveyance. It is an easy 
matter to lengthen the board when the hive is 
in position if it is found necessary. A roofing 
slate makes a very good addition to a short 
alighting board. 
The Brood Chamber.—The brood chamber 
rests on the floorboard: it is usually made with 
a porched entrance from the alighting board, 
but, although a porch is useful if the hive is in 
an exposed situation, the bees, as a rule, will do 
equally well without it. The porch, indeed, 
often proves a source of trouble to young bees, 
