for the bees, going and coming from and to the hive. A nal 
gutter should be made, about two and a half inches broa 
and a little more than half an inch deep, chamfer 
the sides, leading from the centre of the hive, witha g 
slope to the edge of the bench in front of the hive. This w 
serve as a passage for the bees, in and out of the hive, ar 
facilitate the draining of water from the hive, each mornit 
at dawn, particularly in summer, for the warmth of the r 
titude produces, in the night, humid vapours, which 
scend in drops of water on the bench. oe 
The surface of the bench ought to be a little conve: 
sloping each way from the centre, then the water could 
collect on the plank, nor stop in the centre, but would 1 
out.* oe ote ane 
- The bench or stand should have four legs, or suppo 
about eight or ten inches long,t securely fixed. It is esse 
tial, that all the parts of the bench should be of equal dur 
bility, that no derangement may occur, till the whole 
removed, when no longer serviceable. es eg s 
_ There are some grounds where ants are very troubleson 
to bees; and whatever attention may be paid, there will 
ways be some of them, which will endeavour to get into th 
hive, or establish themselves under its straw cap. Ins 
case it would be convenient and advisable, to put 
each leg of the bench, a small vase of hard-burnt eart 
ware, filled with water, in which the ants would drow 
attempting to get on the bench. ; a 
In winter, great care should be taken to close up th 
trance, so as to admit but one bee to pass ata time. 
- It is necessary to clean the stand, at least, four tim 
year, with a cloth or sponge, moistened with pure wat 
salt and water, or rather with thyme or other aromatic plants. 
The hives must be raised gently, without separating the 
boxes. It will require two mento support a hive, and at 
to clean the stand. My ee 
_ Stands ought to be prepared, and always in readines: 
summer, to receive hives, which ought to be placed on th 
in the evening, or the morrow morning, of the day in. 
_the swarms are housed. The stands should be rubbed 
thyme, or some other aromatic plants. a 
Nae This is hardly reconcilable with the preceding directi nd 
use of the gutter.— T7anslator. i s a a 
_ t See Chap. xix. 
