THE APIARY. 
139 
CANAL BOTTOM-BOARD DISCARDED. 
I used what is termed a canal bottom-board, until I 
fc and out it did not pay expense, and have now dis- 
carded it, and succeed just as well. It is generally re- 
commended as a preventive of robberies, and keep- 
ing out the moth. It may prevent one hive in fifty 
from being robbed ; but as for keeping out the moth, 
it is about as good an assistant for it as can be con- 
trived. It is a place of great convenience for the worms 
to spin their cocoons, and some, ingenuity of the apia- 
rian is requisite to get at them. 
SOME ADVANTAGE IN BEING NEAR TIIE EARTH. 
I am aware that I go counter to most apiarians, in 
recommending the stands so near the earth ; less than 
two or three feet between the bees and the earth, it is 
said, will not answer any way. Mr. Miner is very po- 
sitive on this point, in his Manual. I ventured to sug- 
gest to him, that there was more against it in theory, 
than in practice, and gave him my experience. In 
less than two years from that time I visited him, and 
found his bees close to the earth. Experience is worth 
a dozen theories ; in fact, it is the only test to be de- 
pended upon. I shall not urge the adoption of any 
rule, that I have not proved by my own practice. The 
objection raised, is dampness from the earth, when too 
near ; I am unable to perceive the least bad effect. 
Now let us compare advantages and disadvantages a 
little farther One hive or a row of hives suspended, 
or standing on a bench, two or three feet from the earth, 
when approached by the bees on a chilly afternoon. 
