BEES. 
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tli e floor-board in front, gradually sloping upwards into the hive. 
This groove may be four or five inches wide, 
and three eighths of an inch deep where the 
hive crosses it. Thus made, it is easily 
contracted at any time by the insertion of 
4 small wooden wedges; for it is always better 
that the requisite space at the door should 
be given laterally rather than in height.” 
On the subject of collateral hives, as entirely superseding the 
cruel destruction of the bees necessary with the old hives, and so 
positively injurious to the interests of the bee-keeper, Mr. Taylor 
has several excellent remarks ; one, which is applicable to the 
working of any number or description of boxes, we subjoin. It 
is an improvement on an American method, where they place the 
full hive behind a new one, thus obliging the bees to passthrough 
it when going either in or out. “ On the whole, I prefer placing 
the two hives side by side, rather than front and back, as shown 
in the engraving, in which the stock hive is supposed to occupy 
the right-hand board. The same result follows, with greater 
convenience and better ventilation. 
The two boards must be precisely alike in size and thickness, 
with the entrance passages cut out from beneath. There must, 
however, be two entrances to the board intended for the second 
hive—one in front, and the other at the side ; and I recommend 
that all the doorways, in hives to be thus worked, be not less 
than six inches wide. When room is required, the first board, 
with its hive, must be moved so far sideways that the second one 
can precisely occupy its place. At the same time it must be turned 
half round, so that its mouth, and that on the side of the new 
hive, meet and fit close together.” For the sake of uniformity 
in appearance, it is recommended to have three boxes worked 
together, with removable slides between, that the entrance either 
