Cover of Hive. 127 



alighting-board. No hive should be more than four inches 

 from the ground, except in very damp regions where it may 

 be rais*d somewhat higher, and no hive should be without the 

 slanting alighting-board. With this opening the entrance can 

 be contracted in case of robbing, or entirely closed when de- 

 sired, by simply moving the hive back. 



Some apiarists cut an opening in the side of the hive, and 

 regulate the size by tin slides or triangular blocks (Fig. 36) ; 

 others form an opening by sliding the hive forward beyond the 

 bottom board — which I would do with the above (Fig. 41) in 

 hot weather when storing was very rapid. 



I strongly urge that only one openi g be used. Auger 

 holes about the hive, and entrances on two sides, are worse 

 than useless. By enlarging this opening, we secure ample 

 ventilation, even in sultry August, and when we contract the 

 entrance no bees are lost by finding the usual door closed. 



Some of our best bee-keepers, as Messrs. Heddon, Jones, 

 Baldridge, and others, prefer that the bottom board be nailed to 

 the hive (Fig. 36). Such hives will not permit a quick clear- 

 ing of the bottom board, when we give a cleansing flight in 

 winter, or when we commence operations in spring, and with their 

 use we cannot contract the opening in cold weather, or to stop 

 robbing, without the blocks or tins. Simplicity should be the 

 motto m hive^iaking. The arguments in favor of such fasten- 

 ing are : Convenience in moving colonies and in feeding, as 

 we have not to fasten the bottoms when we desire to ship our 

 bees, and to feed we have only to pour liquids into the hives. 

 It is probable that the fastened bottom boards have substantial 

 advantage in large apiaries where colonies are often moved, or 

 where sales of bees are frequent. 



Of course, such points are not essential — only matters of 

 convenience. Let each one decide for hims^f, which expe- 

 rience will enable him to do. 



THE COVER OF THE HIVE. 



The cover (Fig. 41, a) should be about six inches high, 

 and like the. lid of a trunk. The length and breadth may be 

 the same as the body of the hive, and fit on with beveled 

 edges (Fig. 41, a) the body having the outer edge beveled, and 

 the cover the inner. If we thus join the cover and hive with 

 a mitered-joint, we must not be satisfied with anything less 



