Surplus honey receptacles continued If boxes of same size with [illegible] on top are used
March 12th 1868 QU 2. Then have receiving box to hold 12, two rows of 6
each. Set up hive on a pretty decided slant so as to [illegible] heated air to rise most 
readily to back tier of [illegible] it will help, 2 [illegible] interconnecting holes between uprights
of boxes, and to have of course interconnecting [illegible] under all boxes. Let the 
boxes be well protected on top and on their sides by [illegible] wool. We now get storage for 30 pounds
for reasons previously given bees will potentially store as much in their small boxes as in a
large one. If by having work begun on top bees will work as well in there collaterals [illegible]
[illegible] Cutting in two sides of hive. Hive may be set so that these back collaterals will be well 
protected by cover of hive against sun. Set hives for summer, facing Southwest, so that the PM 
sun will [illegible] the collaterals least. I should prefer having the ends of one of receiving box
movable, to see glass, pack with wool etc. It may be necessary to set a slot one inch wide in
the ventilator as well as receiving box, 2 prevent bees from building comb their period it will be
seen that the comb in Maine hive and bees all now run from front to rear of hive 
and have the same slant, so that no confusion is [illegible] to the bees by removing boxes 
partially filled t o back [illegible]. I estimate that the ten frame hives with
27 small box [illegible] give a storage capacity of say 67 pounds and the 13 frames
hives with 32 boxes of [illegible]. With the [illegible] of remaining filled boxes and 
replacing with empty ones there could be no need at all of a double story
tier of brood, nor in many cases of the rear collaterals, in removing full
boxes alone or from the rear, always aim to have empty ones as nearly central as 
possible, to be some filled, and to get next set to remove as near outside as
possible to save time in removing. Make only one communicating hole in [illegible] boxes, one
of the three upper tiers will not intercommunicate with the others above. If surplus is [illegible] 
boxes in the rear, glass will show at each end. In adjusting back [illegible] I should use 
a little melted wax to connect closely bottom of hive with bottom of [illegible]. If eligible
too [illegible] easy too [illegible] by a board laid [illegible] hive or a bundle of straw 
set back boxes up at least 1/2 inch where they rest against ventilator, outside strip for back of outside
now only 1/4 inch. April 1st [illegible] suggests that the center strips which will be needed 
for supporting boxes on frames should be stiffened by two strips under them between columns
resting on bottom board (see Qu 6) July 6th do not like 2 inch holes in the
bottom, nor interconnecting holes. Set 1/2 inch holes a legible in bottom
one inch from uprights, when the bottoms are sawed out with knife or
cutting gouge cut out slot as shown by dotted lines. This gives more communication space and
yet will not tempt bees to carry calm down upon the [illegible] of frames. If half size boxes are 
used bear may have the two inch holes in top, and the half inch slot in bottoms. 8th [illegible] 
bees prefer to begin com building [illegible] down, and that even left too [illegible] they tend to build 1 
come in box. Crossed out how it is answer to. Let small boxes be only 1 5/8 inches instead of 1 6/8 inches
July 15th. Are not the box is too high, and the half box is too low. Confirm