1857.] The Honey Bee,. 293 



offices they perform, than where all the experiments to the end of 

 the chapter have been tried ; tlie excellence of the honey, its 

 quantity and quality, depending more on the season, and the quan- 

 tity and quality of flowers which abound in the region, than in the 

 form which the hive takes, or the artificial management bestowed. — 

 As to the best form for hives, or the most approved kinds, what has 

 already been said will subserve the purpose of a long story. 



WHAT ABOUT THE MOTH? 



In regard to the nature, instincts, and habits of this destructive 

 little insect, and the preventing of its ravages a book might be 

 written, and several have been written. But it will be our aim to 

 shorten the story. 



Patent hives instead of preventing, have generally accelerated 

 their ravages, and proved to be miller palaces, furnishing good 

 places for the deposit and development of their eggs. Such is the 

 case with Rich, Reynolds, Arza Gilmore and others we might 

 name. The old rough board box hive ; full of cracks and cranies 

 have resisted the ravages of the bee moth often longer than the 

 most beautifully constructed patent hive standing along side. 



OUR theory about the bee MOTH. 



A hive of bees of ordinary strength, with the presence of a good 

 healthy queen, will resist, of themselves, all encroachments from 

 these depredators ; while any quantity of bees, without such pres- 

 ence will fall an easy prey to their ravages. When a queen such as 

 described is present, all is activity ; every bee is on duty, guarding 

 the entrance, destroying the eggs of this insect or performing some 

 important office. We have placed a queen in a hive full of miller eggs 

 and worms, and have seen it restored to health. We have seen 

 hives full of bees, honey, and comb, become a perfect webb in one 

 week without her presence. 



The destruction of what was regarded as a fine hive, has been 

 witnessed by every apiarian, while one less prosperous in appear- 

 ance, standing beside it has successfully resisted all encroachments. 

 Hence a hive of bees without a queen, or eggs in a state out of 

 which to form one, is effectually dead. And like a dead carcass, 

 about which the eagles or buzzards are gathered, will soon be re- 

 moved by these cormorants (the moths) which nature has provided. 

 Queenless hives are the ones attacked first by robbers, and no efforts 

 will resist long their ingress. And when they are attacked, the be- 



