4<> STRAW HIVES. 



below the ears : with the left hand gripe a 

 fmall parcel or locket (about 60 ftraws) of 

 the part above the cord, and with the other 

 hand a like locket; and giving it a twill: round 

 the iirft locket, bring it down clofe to the 

 cord, pulling the other locket ftraight down. 

 Take a third locket and twift over the prece- 

 ding j and thus continue to twift and turn 

 down until the whole is tinifhed, except 

 three locks, one of which is to be brought 

 between the other two, which are to be tied 

 in a knot over it. Then reducing the whole 

 as flat as can be, run a fhort forked flick 

 through the knot, to prevent its ftarting. 

 The hackel may be made in about twenty 

 minutes. 



This form is the befl fuited to the purpofe 

 of any that I have feen ; they fit clofe to the 

 top of the hives, keeping them warmer and 

 drier, which is of great advantage in winter 

 and fpring. Neither are they fo liable to be 

 blown off. The part before the doors fhould 

 be clipped fo as to admit the fun's rays. For 

 fear of ftorms, a hoop may be thrown over 

 them, and fattened by two ftrong flicks with 

 crooks at their ends, and thruft into the 



ground 



