124 AUSTRALASIAN 



the rabbets shown in the figure, tapering off from nothing at 

 the edge to fin. at the deepest part. The width of each rabbet 

 from the edge is l|in., leaving lfin. of the full thickness in 

 the centre, corresponding with the top centre of end pieces. 

 When making my hives by hand I had an iron fitted to my 

 plough made the shape of these rabbets, which was the means 

 of saving much time and labour. 



Fig, 48.— ROOF BOARD OF COYER. 



The roof boards (Fig. 48) are made of fin. timber 2ft. long 

 by 8in. wide, the lower edge being slightly bevelled to suit the 

 slope of the cover. 



To put the cover together, the sides and ends are nailed 

 first ; then place the ridge piece on, allowing it to project an 

 equal distance at each end, but before nailing it, put on one of 

 the roof boards in its place — the upper edge under the ridge, 

 and nail through both ridge and board to the end pieces. 

 Now nail the other board on in the same manner, and fasten 

 both boards securely round the sides. The engraving (Fig. 49) 

 shows the cover finished. 



We have now gone through the whole hive, with the 

 exception of the frames, and if every part is made according 



Fig. 49.— COVER COMPLETE, 



to the foregoing instruction, they will fit each other like a 

 glove, and when two or three story hives are required, it is 

 only a question of having extra bodies similar to the one 

 already described. 



HALF-STORY HIVES. 



These are always used for the purpose of raising comb-honey 

 in, and are made exactly similar to the full hive described, but 

 only 5£in. deep. 



