bee-keeper's manual. 213 



circumference, so as to allow full two feet between the 

 columns. This is the smallest space that hives can oc- 

 cupy to advantage. The circumference of the base of 

 the roof is much more than the foregoing .dimensions, 

 in consequence of its projection. 



HEIGHTH OF HIVES FLOOR-BOARDS, ETC. 



The hives may be set from two to three and a half 

 feet from the ground. The higher they are placed, the 

 more they will be protected from the rays of the sun 

 and from storms. The stand upon which they are to rest 

 should be made of a single board in width, if possible, 

 and bracketed on the under side, to prevent warping. 

 In joining the floor-boards of hives, there is danger of 

 affording cracks for the use of the moth-worm to wind 

 up in. 



The width of hives is, say about fourteen inches on 

 the outside ; and the bees require, at least, two inches 

 space in front to alight on ; and the whole width of the 

 stand would be, according to this calculation, 16 inches, 

 which would be its least possible diameter. There may 

 be separate floor-boards for each hive to rest on, if the 

 owner choose, on the bevel plan, that I have described 

 at page 169. This would be better than to have the 

 hives rest on a level floor, when rains beat in under 

 them ; because a level floor is apt to warp some, at best. 

 I dislike to multiply the fixtures of a bee-stand ; for the 

 reason, that every addition furnishes some crevice, 

 sooner or later, for insects to breed in. If separate floor- 

 boards are furnished, let them be two inches, at least, 



