BEE-KEEPERS MANUAL. 



167 



floor-board suspended under the hive by little wire 

 hooks and staples. See the bees entering at the side. 

 They enter at every side, but much more in front than 

 elsewhere, because that part of the floor-board projects 

 two inches beyond the hive. 



It is not absolutely necessary that the bottom-board 

 should have an inclination from back to front in this 

 manner ; yet it is better than to have it hanging hori- 

 zontally, for various reasons ; one is, that it allows the 

 water that may beat in under the hives, in storms, to 

 easily run off"; also any moisture from the interior of the 

 hive that may drip down, readily finds its way to the 

 ground. Again, any substances or insects that the bees 

 havef,tft thr#t from the hive, can be expelled with much 

 greater facility, since any one knows, that a great stone 



