The engraving shows a perspective view of a combined winter
and summer stand, which I put up to accommodate 12 hives
of the standard Langstroth pattern. It is constructed as
follows: Put in the ground 9 oak posts 4 × 4 inches, for a
frame to nail the 14 foot boards to—3 posts on each side,
and 3 between these, set in the ground 18 inches. The ends
are 9 feet wide, which I find gives ample room to manipulate
the bees between the rows of hives, the operator being in
the shade, and not in front of the entrance of the bees,
which seldom bother me. The sides front east and west. The
ends are open during the summer, and the north end boarded
up in winter. We use millet hay for protection, filling in
spaces between the hives, and over and under them, almost
filling up between the rows, clearing away enough in front of
the entrance for the bees to take a flight when the weather
permits.
[Illustration:
A, A—Ventilation and bee escape. B—Space to work in and
shaded.]
This protection keeps them quiet, and storms beat on the
shelter and on the millet hay. Of course, this is not a
water-proof shelter or cover, and I do not think one is
needed. It is advantageous to have an opening in the apex of
the roof; this plan of having one roof higher than the other
secures it with the least expense. It is curious to notice
how the bees fly out of these spaces marked A, A (as both
ends are open) while the operators manipulating the hives.
Sixteen boards 14 feet long and 1 foot wide cover it, and
with the 9 posts and 4 2 × 4 studding to set the hives on,
and short pieces to set on top of the posts to nail the roof
to, complete the lumber bill.
Hunnewell, Mo.
For the American Bee Journal.
Foul Brood, and Its Causes.