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Secure a complete kerosene case, and carefully knock off one of the broad sides; nail on the original cover, which will now form one of the sides. If the sides of the case are not level all round build them up level with fillets of wood. The inside depth should be 10 in. Next nail on at each end, half an inch below the inside upper edges of the case, to suspend the frames from, a fillet of wood ⅜ in. thick by ¾ in. wide, and the length of the inside end of the case.
I would strongly recommend the purchasing of ‘‘Hoffman” frames from the manufacturers, as they require to be very accurately made, and are rather difficult to make by hand. If, however, it is desired to construct them make the top bar 15⁄16 in. wide by ¾ in. deep, and 18¾ in. long. Shoulders should be cut out on ends 7⁄8 in. long, leaving a thickness of ¼ in. to rest on the fillets. The ends should be 8½ in. long, the same width as the top bar, and ⅜ in. thick; bottom bar 17½ in. long, ¾ in. wide, and ¼ in. thick. There are ten frames, and as they only cost 1s. in the flat and about 10d. postage, or, say, a trifle over 2d. per frame, it may in many cases pay to purchase them.
An entrance ⅜ in. wide by 6 in. long should be cut out of the lower part of one end of the case, and a small alighting board be nailed on underneath, projecting from 2 in. to 3 in. in front. (See Plate VI.)
The cover can be made from the side knocked off, and should have small fillets, 1 in. wide, nailed on right round the edge, to overlap the body. Cover the top with ruberoid or other waterproof material, and let it overlap the edges. (See Plate VII.)
With regard to comb-foundation, see Chapter I.
Top or surplus honey boxes can be made in the same way, but will not require a bottom.
When setting them out for the bees the hives can be placed on four half-bricks, one at each corner; or, better, still, sink four beer-bottles neck downwards in the ground, and set the hive on these.
The cost of this outfit, if the settler makes frames and all, will be under 1s., after paying, say, 4d. for the box; and if the frames are purchased, under 2s. 6d., and his own labour.
Mr. Stewart, of Crookston, Southland, had over 200 of such hives in use last season (1906–7), from which he secured between 11,000 lb. and 12,000 Ib. of first-class honey.
