42 THE HISTORY OF BEES. 
- For the top of the box, an entire board would be beft, 
or elfe two boards very firmly glued together, and a full 
inch thick when planed, and at leaft an inch more in 
breadth than-the dimenfion of the box, which, in the 
management of the colonies, you will find to be an ad- 
vantage; the edges underneath may have a little mould, | 
merely for ornament’s fake. 
In the middle hereof muft be an hole five inches 
fquare, for a communication between the boxes, covered — 
with a fliding fhutter (of deal or elm) running eafily in 
a groove, over the back-window. ‘The eight pannels 
or fquares nine inches deep (and three parts of an inch 
thick when planed) are to be let into the top fo far, as 
to keep them in their proper place ; fecured at each cor- 
ner with plates of brafs, and at the bottoms cramped 
with wires to keep them firm ; fince the heat in fummer 
will try their ftrength. 
A glafs window behind, fixed in a frame, with a thin 
deal cover, two fmall brafs hinges, and a button to 
faften it. Here you may infpect into your colonies and 
fee their ftate, employment, profperity and improve- 
ments, with pleafure and fafety, at any feafon. 
Front doors to your colonies, and two glafles to.one 
box, I am fenfible are of fo little fervice, and attended 
with fo many inconveniencies, that I utterly diflike them, 
and never ufe more than one, which I find well enough 
anfwers the defign. Thofe who are otherwife minded 
may have more. 
Two brafs handles, on each fide one, are necef« 
fary to lift up the box or boxes, fixed in with: two thin 
plates 
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