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THE HONEY-BEE IN NEW ZEALAND 21

and a quarter. It should be 14 inches over all,
which will leave 11 1/4 inches in the clear. The top is a
moveable board prevented from slipping sideways by a
projecting fillet which fits over the side of the box loosely,
like the lid of a hat box. If the bees were hived in this
box, as it is now, they would fasten their combs to the
lid and to the sides, and there would be no means of
getting them out. But ten bars made of quarter of an
inch stuff, and exactly one inch wide, are to be counter-
sunk in the sides of the box, so that the bars may be
flush, and the top fit down close upon them . These bars
are to be fitted with exactly a quarter of an inch between
them, and one eighth of an inch between the outside bars
and the sides. The width of the bars, and their arrange-
ment, is a matter of the greatest consequence, and that
which is most frequently overlooked. The box should
be about nine inches deep ; with other boxes having
similar bars across the top, but of a less depth, say four
inches and a half or five inches, to fit the top. One lid
of course will do for set. Windows you may put
into the sides of these boxes, of any size, and covered
with shutters of any pattern, if you wish to see the bees
at work; -- but when you have a great many boxes made,
you will like to get them as cheap as possible, and the
windows may be omited altogether ; for an experienced
bee master will tell by the weight of his hives when they
have honey to spare for him. The bottom board should
project at least an inch round the hive, and pieces
clamped across the ends to prevent it twisting. The
entrance for the bees should be countersunk in the
bottom board, four inches wide, and a quarter of an inch
deep, running up to nothing; a semicircular lighting
board five inches wide should be under this doorway.

The Management of the Cottage Hive

Previously to hiving the swarm, dress the inside of the
stock hive with honey diluted with one-third its quantity
of water, or with sugared ale of the consistgence of syrup,
without sticks across it; then carefully shake the swarm
into it, and gently put it on the ground near the spot
where the bees are. Immediately the bees are settled,
after being hived (which will be fifteen or twenty minutes)