BEE MANUAL. 27 
Halve them together at the ends, and nail firmly, taking care 
that the pieces are nailed squarely to each other. To make 
the frame more secure, a broad piece of hoop iron should be 
nailed across each corner. ‘Two such frames are required, and 
a few thin hardwood wedges. The inside measurement of the 
frames will be tin. longer aud tin. wider than the outside 
dimensions of the hive. This extra space allows them to slip 
over the parts easily, and gives room for wedging. 
NUCLEUS HIVE. 
This hive is used both for the purpose of rearing queens 
and keeping spare ones in till required. 
<K ~__ SE 
Fig, 51._NUCLEUS HIVE, WITH COVER AND MAT. 
It is the same length and depth as the ordinary hive, but is 
usually made to contain three frames only. It may be made 
out of light material and in a more simple manner than the 
ordinary hive. The bottom board can be nailed on, and the 
entrance cut out of one end of hive; the figure does not show 
the bottom board. The width inside should be 4in. or 5in. 
to take three frames. A full explanation of the use of it is 
given in the chapter on queen rearing. 
OBSERVATORY HIVES. 
There is no branch of entomology so interesting to the 
ordinary individual as the natural history and habits of bees. 
To the majority of people there is not a more pleasing sight 
than the interior of a beehive during the busy season, if the 
working of the bees can be observed leisurely without danger 
of receiving a sting. To watch the queen surrounded by some 
of her subjects as she moves in a stately manner from cell to 
cell depositing her eggs; to view the worker bees building 
comb, bringing in and storing honey and pollen ; to see the 
young bees gnawing their way out of the cells and first catch- 
