and its Economic Management. 85 



Mr. Abbott when editor of the British Bee Journal was quite 

 aware of the immense advantage of admitting the sun's rays 

 during winter, and recommended that a piece of glass be let 

 into the outer wall of double-sided hives. However, double- 

 walled hives do not pay for the extra expense as compared with 

 single walls, and besides being more cumbersome, are a positive 

 nuisance during the heat of summer, when shade only is required, 

 rather than additional heat. For as a matter of fact packed walls 

 cannot be cool in summer, as the advocates of the same would 

 have us believe. Why the more frequent swarming complained of 

 with these ? and are we not told that more warmth is given in 

 winter ? how much more then, in excess, in summer ? 



One thing of the utmost importance to which I have often had 

 occasion to call attention, is the 



Space below the Frames. 



The regulation distance of §-inch is certainly allowed between the 

 bottom rail of the frame and the floor of the hive when first made, 

 but this is not enough as the exposure causes the side walls to shrink 

 fully one-fourth of an inch. This is quite inconvenient and disagree- 

 able in replacing frames, as well as where hives are tiered up ; and 

 though f inch clear may not work quite well between upper stories at 

 first, it will soon come right by shrinkage when anything like 9-inch 

 stuff is used, though it may be considered that the wood has been 

 already well seasoned. Now the §-inch space is not sufficient for 

 winter, and where a lower rim cannot be added to the hive, a circular 

 hole should be cut in the centre of the floor board, about 2 inches in 

 diameter, which will greatly assist ventilation, while providing the 

 inmates with a ready means for disposing of their refuse, dead 

 bees, &c. Failing either of the foregoing, the frames can be 

 raised by placing f-inch strips under the projecting ears. 



Dysentery and other ills are brought on by the too common 

 neglect of this matter : dead bees drop to the floor and clog the 

 too shallow pace under the frames, then getting into a mass 

 ventilation is impeded, and when a fine day does occur the bees 

 have enough to do to find the entrance while the dead and 



