bee-keeper's manual. 211 



This is the first design of this nature, that has been laid 

 before the public, to the best of my knowledge. In all 

 the various works on the honey-bee, published in the old 

 world, I find nothing but the ordinary bee- stands of ages 

 past, or simple sheds of no more beauty than a pig-sty 

 or a hen-roost. That such a structure would truly be 

 an ornament to the flower garden, every one will admit. 

 Why, then, should such bee-houses not be erected ? 

 The cost will not be much. Fifty dollars will suflBce to 

 cover it. 



SHAPE, ETC. 



It will be perceived, that the foregoing cut represents ^ 

 an octangular building ; that is, one having eight angles 

 or sides. This aSbrds accommodation for eight hives, 

 or one to each angle. The height should be sufficient 

 to allow a person to walk under the lower extremity of 

 the roof with facility, and no higher ; consequently, the 

 posts should be about seven feet long. The roof should 

 project over beyond the posts two feet, at least, in order 

 to shade the hives during the heat of the day. The 

 style of architecture may vary according to the taste of 

 the owner ; yet the style of the foregoing cut is not un- 

 becoming, by any means. Instead of having a floor, as 

 is here represented, the posts may be inserted in the 

 ground about two and a half feet ; and the area within 

 the posts, may be graveled, so as to have a neat and tidy 

 appearance. The portion of the posts placed in the 

 ground, should be left untouched, and as large as possi- 

 ble. These posts may either be turned, as they appear 



