Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 March 1908 — POULITRY AND BEES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

POULITRY AND BEES

HIVE NUMBERS. Tin Tags and Hpw They Are Fattened to the Hives. ?** It is well to hue each hive with Its number so a record can be kept of it. Many ways of applying such have been tried, but nothing has given me more satisfaction than the one pictured herewith. They are made of heavy tin, painted on both sides. 'On the front is the number, while the back is used for keeping records of the colony with a lead pencil, so they can be easily erased when necessary, and the surface used over again. As this side is protected against the

wall of the hive it Is not necessary to write so it cannot be erased. Notice that a bent crate-staple Is used instead,Of a straight one or a nail. It Is done for the reason that the latter would soon be driven into the wall of the hive-bodies when these are handled, and the “numbers” could not' be hung on them. With the bent staple, explains Bee Culture, this is quite overcome, for It act# like a spring, and will not go deeper into the wood. With this springlike pressure the tin number-plate is held firmly after It has been hooked in place. Such a staple is put on each end of all hive-bodies so that, no matter which end is placed forward, there will be Buch a staple on which to hang the number. It is not necessary- to-ua-book the tin for making records on the back. Just stoop down beside the hive; lift up the lower end of the tin on Its staple hinge, and examine the notes or add more. These will be upside down after the tin is turned up, and are readily read from the top.

Hive Number Details.