208 miner's AMERICAN 



these boxes, as to obviate, in a measure, the necessity of 

 such an instrument. 



The way to construct the boxes, is simply as follows, 

 viz : let the back ends of them be covered by the end 

 pieces over the ends of sides and bottoms ; that is, in 

 such a manner that they can be taken off with the great- 

 est facility. If no directions be given on this point, the 

 joiner will slide the ends down between the sides ; but 

 this is wrong ; they should be on the outside of all, so 

 that they can be removed easily. Every part of the 

 boxes, except the ends, should be fastened with inch 

 brads, but the ends should be secured with the smallest 

 brads that will hold them in their place, and as few to 

 be used as possible. When the honey is to be taken 

 out of a box thus arranged, a knife is to be run down at 

 the end and sever the combs ; then take off the end, and 

 run the knife along the top of the box horizontally, and 

 the work is done at once : then replace the end of the 

 box, and it is ready for use again. 



PAINTING HIVES. 



When your hives are made, you will wish to know 

 what color they should be painted. Some apiarians 

 recommend white as the proper color, since that color 

 does not draw the rays of the sun ; but others object to 

 white, because it attracts the moth-miller in the night, 

 more than darker colors. I do not think it makes a 

 whit of difference, whether your hives are white, red, 

 black or grey, so far as the general prosperity of the bees 

 is concerned. We should have a durable color; one 



