138 
SPRING. 
profit of the thing, I will say that the bees will not 
pay a cent towards extra expenses ; they will not do 
a whit more labor in a painted house, than if it was 
thatched with straw. When profit is the only object, 
economy would dictate that labor shall be bestowed 
only where there will be a remuneration. 
CHEAP ARRANGEMENT OP STANDS. 
So many kinds of bee-houses and stands have been 
recommended — all so different from what I prefer, 
that I perhaps ought to feel some hesitancy in offering 
one so cheap and simple; but as profit is my object, I 
shall offer no other apology. I have fifteen years’ ex- 
perience to prove its efficacy, and have no fears on 
this score in recommending it. I make stands in this 
way : a board about fifteen inches wide is cut off two 
feet long; a piece of chestnut or other wood, two inches 
square, is nailed on each eud ; this raises the board 
just two inches from the earth, and will project in 
front of the hive some ten inches, making it admirably 
convenient for the bees to alight before entering the 
hive, (when the grass and weeds are kept down, which 
is but little trouble). A separate piece for each hive 
is better than to have several on a bench together, as 
there can then be no communication by bees running 
to and fro. Also we are apt to give more room be- 
tween them ; and a board or plank will make a stand 
for as many stocks when cut in pieces, as if left whole; 
(and it ought to make more). 
