PAINTING HIVES. 
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observation glass ; making the honey -boxes with glass sides and 
clouding the hive to resemble marble. We make no other style, 
as the advantages of the observation glass are so great, and the 
extra work trifling, especially where machinery is used, with 
which most of our factories are supplied. A good hand will 
cut up lumber for over one hundred hives per week, or nail 
together one-fourth the number ready for painting. The exact 
cost in any part of the country, will depend upon the cost of 
material and labor, and the experience and speed of the hand in 
using machinery. Our present foreman, with the aid of a rab- 
betting head and a set of holders, cuts up double the number he 
formerly did. We send a minute description for making hives, 
as per price list. 
PAINTING AND CLOUDING HIVES. 
Hives should be painted as soon as made, and three or four 
weeks before being used, as the smell of fresh paint is offensive 
to the bees. They may be painted every shade of color, for the 
sake of variety, but red is most apt to be noticed from a distance, 
while white or clouded looks best near by. To cloud a hive, 
paint it white, and while the last coat is fresh, place the hive in 
a horizontal position, passing under it the smoke and blaze of a 
lamp, with small wick. If the clouding be done in a room out 
of the wind, with a little practice the hives may be made to 
resemble marble, and are very ornamental, although it costs 
nothing for material and can be done in five minutes. 
