BEE MANUAL. 129 
in the right position, so that when the tin is on, the outside 
cases will fit over these tubes, that is, the tin tubes will fit in 
the holes bored in the bottom of each case. Now if the centre 
case is nailed to the bottom board, and the side cases fitted 
over the tubes and hinged on top to the centre one, it will be 
pretty near complete. It must, of course, be seen that the 
entrances to each case through the tubes are clear, and that 
there is no place the bees can get out but through the entrance 
in the bottom board. We have now only to make a cap to fit 
over the cases when closed, to darken the interior when not in 
use, and the hive is complete. 
Every bee-keeper should possess an observatory hive, as it 
will not only be interesting and instructive to himself, but a 
source of amusement to his family and friends. To stock it, 
take an ordinary frame of brood, with the adhering bees and 
the queen, from a hive and place it in the centre compartment; a 
frame of honey and anempty comb or frame of foundation can 
be put in the outside cases ; close the entrance with perforated 
zinc or wire cloth; put on the cap, keep the hive in a cool 
place, and let it remain closed for 48 hours, when it may be 
put on its stand and the entrance opened at dusk in the evening. 
In a week the queen may be removed if it be desired, and the 
process of queen-rearing be observed. 
TIMBER FOR HIVE-MAKING. 
Soft porous timber is usually recommended as being the best 
for hives, though it should at the same time be of a tough 
lasting nature. Wood that is soft and porous is a better non- 
conductor of heat than hard close-grained wood ; hence hives 
made of the former give better protection to the bees both in 
winter and summer than would hives made of the latter kind 
of wood. It is also preferable to use straight grained timber. 
more especially for the frames, as being most easily worked 
and not so likely to twist.. The bottom boards and stands 
may be made of a harder timber in order the better to with- 
stand any dampness that may arise from the ground, as these 
would be the parts of the hive that would be most affected 
by it. 
PAINTING HIVES. 
Hives should never be used until they have been painted. 
They ought to receive three coats to start with. he first coat 
K 
