bee-keeper's manual. 223 



leet from the hives, and then boarded up six feet or 

 more, would be all that would be necessary ; then close 

 the slides when the bees show any disposition to come 

 out, if the ground be covered with snow, if not, let them 

 come out as much as they please. 



In case of using the brick tenement, it will be neces- 

 sary to open the front occasionally, when the weather 

 is mild and no snow exists, to allow the bees to clear 

 their hives of dead bees, and also to their void fceces. It 

 is very bad policy to keep bees confined a whole winter, ' 

 or even a month, without giving them an airing. 



The bee-houses here introduced, are original; or 

 rather the first is entirely original in design, and the 

 second engraving, with the plan of a brick structure, are 

 great improvements of apologies for bee-houses hereto- 

 fore existing. No apiarian has ever taken the same 

 ground that I pursue, in regard to winter management 

 of bees, and none have, as I believe, ever met with so 

 successful results. I make mention of these points, not 

 in an egotistical spirit, but rather to show that my plans 

 are not re-vamped from any of the exploded theories of 

 apiarians that have already existed, and been weighed 

 in the balance and found wanting. 



Had I room to spare, I would illustrate one or two 

 more bee-houses, that might be constructed, partly orna- 

 mental, and partly otherwise ; but there are none that 

 excel those already given. Every apiarian can suggest 

 his own plans, when the fundamental requisites are laid 

 down, as I think I have don% The dimensions that I 



