224 miner's AMERICAN 



have given in the preceding cuts, need not be followed ; 

 but merely the principles there elucidated. 



CHAPTER XV 



BEE-STANDS, ETC. 



It may be necessary for me to state my views upon 

 the relative merits of different kinds of stands, upon 

 which to rest hives. 



There is the suspending stand ; — the shelf, or horizon- 

 tal floor-board ; and the stool-stand. 



The suspended stand is a very good one, and for the 

 purpose of giving an inclination to the alighting-board 

 is preferable to any other ; but it may be asked, how far 

 the prosperity of the bees is affected by giving an incli- 

 nation to the alighting-board ? 



It is not absolutely necessary to have such an inclina- 

 tion, yet it is an advantage in keeping the floor of the 

 hive dry, and giving any water that may beat in facility 

 to run off". It also aids the bees as before observed, in 

 keeping their tenement free from worms, dead bees, &c. 



The horizontal shelf has no particular fault. If it can 

 be kept level, by the use of cleats, to prevent warping, it 



