STRAW HIVES. %J 



to each pair, to draw them tight over the 

 top. 



The hive floors mould be one inch 

 thick, of yellow deal planed on one fide 

 only, truly level, and of fixteen inches dia- 

 meter. Where boards of that width are not 

 eafily to be procured, an additional piece 

 muft be rabbeted audi doweled to it. Two 

 crofs pieces are to be nailed underneath, to 

 ftrengthen and prevent its warping; or ra- 

 ther they mould be nailed upon the ends. 

 Three of the corners may be cut off, leaving 

 the fourth for a place to alight on. One 

 floor only is requifite to every three hives ; 

 but two or three /pare ones will be conve- 

 nient on many occafions. 



Cottagers maycontrive^ifrom thofe 

 cuttings of trees which are ftraight, of an 

 equal thicknefs, and of a length as above 

 defcribed, Thefe, while green, may be ea- 

 fily cut flat, with a knife, of the proper mea- 

 fure, by fivft laying them over the top of 

 the hive, at the diftance of half an inch from 

 each other j they may then be marked, and 

 cut to their juft length. Two pieces are to 

 be braided under their ends, fo as not to pre- 

 P 3 vent 



