164 MINER S AMERICAN 



on the hives. If the hives front the south, this roof 

 should be drawn forward past the centre of them, 

 and thus shade the side that needs protection, while the 

 north side requires no shading. In the spring, when 

 all the heat that the sun produces is beneficial, the roof 

 may be moved back, so as to allow the sun to strike the 

 hives, with the full force of his rays. 



This kind of roof will, perhaps, require some fasten- 

 ing as security against very high winds, when fences and 

 trees are prostrated. A strap, or strong cord secured to 

 each side, directly over the posts, and then brought down 

 and secured to the posts would be effectual. I would 

 recommend, that an auger-hole be made both through 

 the posts and the roof, when constructed for that pur- 

 pose. 



I recommend the roof to be in portions oi four feet, 

 for the reason, that such lengths are just sufficient for a 

 single stand of two hives ; and such are removed with 

 more facility than longer portions. If there are only 

 two hives suspended, then, no longer roof can be conve- 

 niently used, nor is a longer one necessary ; but in case 

 that a half dozen stands are existing, then longer roofs 

 might be used, but not to advantage. 



On this plan, a single hive cannot be suspended, since 

 it requires two to effect an equilibrium. When more 

 than one stand is erected, the adjoining ones should be 

 placed at such distance, that the hives can be easily put 

 in, and taken out, without coming in contact with the 

 hives in the neighboring stands. If, for instance, our hives 

 are fourteen inches wide, we should allow about sixteen 



