HIVE OF TWELVE COLONIES. 279 



assimilate in their principles, and in point of utility they 

 stand nearly upon a par. 



The annexed figure is the 

 representation of the front of 

 a frame for twelve colonies, 

 a a are two sills of oak lying 

 flat on the ground, more than 

 four feet long. In these sills 

 four oaken posts are to be 

 fixed. 



The two posts b b in the front are about six feet two inches 

 above the sills, the other two standing backwards five feet 

 eight inches. 



Some boards of split deal must be next nailed horizontally 

 from one of the fore posts to the other, to screen the bees 

 from the sun. These boards must be seven feet seven inches 

 in length, and nailed to the inside of the posts, and be well 

 seasoned that they may not shrink or gape in the joints ; 

 c c are two splints of deal to keep the boards even, and 

 strengthen them. 



The annexed figure represents the back of the frame, 

 d d d d are four strong boards of the same length with the 

 frame, on which the boxes are to be placed. The upper side 

 of them must be very smooth and even, in order that the 

 boxes may stand true upon 

 them, or it may be still more 

 advisable to place under every 

 pair of boxes a smooth thin 

 board as long as the boxes, 

 and about a quarter of an inch 

 wider. The bees will soon 

 fasten the boxes to this board 

 in such a manner, that the boxes and the board may be 

 moved together without breaking the combs, which for very 

 obvious reasons ought to be avoided. These floors must be 

 x 4 



