118 AUSTRALASIAN 



The first, and it will be found the principal point to be 

 observed, is to use none but thoroughly seasoned wood. Of 

 course all know that unseasoned wood will shrink and twist 

 after it is made up ; but some inexperienced person may say, 

 " Well, what does it matter in a beehive, supposing it is a little 

 twisted or a quarter of an inch larger or smaller than the 

 prescribed size 1 " Let me remind those inclined to look at 

 the matter in this light, that a complete hive is composed of a 

 number of movable parts, each part of which ought to fit in 

 its place like a piece of cabinet work, or the hive, as a whole, 

 cannot give satisfaction. It is absolutely necessary that every 

 movable part of a complete hive should be interchangeable with 

 like parts in all other hives throughout the apiary, let them 

 number two or two thousand ; they must therefore be exactly 

 alike, and not liable in the slightest degree to alteration by 

 twisting or shrinking. Even to be within an eighth of an inch 

 is not near enough — they should be exact. It is not always 

 possible to purchase seasoned wood when required, and as an 

 extra price is charged for it when it can be got, it is just as 

 well for the bee-keeper, if he has the convenience, to get the 

 driest timber available, and season it himself. Some place 

 under cover can nearly always be found to stow a few boards 

 to season. So that the rain is kept out, the more open the 

 place is to the wind the better. The autumn is a good time of 

 the year to purchase timber for the purpose, as dry boards can 

 be got, and there is enough time for' seasoning purposes before 

 it will be necessary to make them up. Care must be taken, 

 when stacking boards, to put thin strips of wood between each 

 two to allow the air to circulate freely around them. I have 

 dwelt on this matter at length, knowing by experience how 

 important it is. 



The thickness of the timber used principally throughout the 

 hive is seven-eighths of an inch ; and as one-inch boards — the 

 nearest size most easily obtained — when well seasoned are a 

 sixteenth less, there is just sufficient substance left to allow of 

 a smooth surface being put on one side with a plane. The 

 body of the hive, with which I will start, is 10 in. deep, and 

 takes exactly 5 ft. 11 in. of board to form the two sides and 

 two ends ; so that boards 12 ft. x 1 ft. will cut two "bodies, 

 allowing two inches for saw cuts and waste. I would advise 

 getting 1 ft. boards, as the exact 10 in. can be cut after they 



