bee-keeper's manual. 221 



eluded in that sum. The posts should be about 4 by 4 

 inches, with the corners taken off an inch, except six or 

 eight inches of the tops and bottoms. If the posts should 

 be boxed in, they would appear much better ; but for an 

 economical house, it is not at all necessary. 



FLOOR NOT NECESSARY. 



A floor may, or may not be laid. If it is to give 

 shelter to all manner of insects below, it had better be 

 dispensed with ; but if made perfectly tight, and no pas- 

 sage beneath be afforded, it will be an improvement. 

 A stone or brick floor is far best, which woul4 afford no 

 protection to insects. 



BRICK BEE-HOUSES. 



. Of all the bee-houses that have ever been used, none 

 ,are better adapted for wintering bees, than those con- 

 structed of bricks. The great object is, to keep the 

 bees during the winter season, in such a manner, that 

 they will feel the sudden changes of weather as little as 

 possible. A brick house on the plan of the foregoing 

 wooden one, would be very convenient. An open space 

 one foot wide on the back, would be desirable, and very 

 important, to let a current of air pass around the hives 

 in the summer season, at least, if not in the winter. 

 The front may be walled up even with the floor-board 

 of the hives; and then, a space left open eighteen inches 

 wide ; when the brick-work may commence again, sup- 

 ported by a cross-timber. A door- way should be left in 

 front, to enter the building. The openings in front and 



