91 



BEES. 



inclies, xLe widtli two feet, and the distance "between the doors 

 ahout an inch and a half, or two inches. These doors are of 

 g-lass, and form the two sides of the hive. In order to give the 

 comhs a firm foundation, the hive should be divided into 

 two parts — some recommend fonr — by a slight bar, to which 

 the bees can hang- the combs, and which serve to divide the 

 weight, as a comb of the full size of the hive is apt to fall 

 from its attachment if the weather be hot. This arrange- 

 ment only permits of one layer of comb, which is just wide 

 enough to permit the bees to pass between the opening of 

 the cells and the glass-door, so that the bees cannot cluster 

 in sufficient numbers to hide themselves or their queen, and 

 the observer can watch the proceedings on each side of the 

 comb. Some hives are made to turn on a pivot in order to 

 bring them more conveniently before the eye, but this pre- 

 caution is very unnecessary. Of course the hive has an en- 

 trance at each side, so that the observer closes that nearest 

 to him, and opens the other every time that he changes his 

 position. The glass-doors must be covered with two very 

 thick wooden shutters, not less than an inch and a half in 

 thickness, partly because the bees dislike the light, and 

 should never be exposed to it except when they are being- 

 examined, and partly in order to defend them from the cold, 

 to which they are very sensitive. A very excellent addition 

 may be made to a leaf hive, by placing them upon a small 

 box with ver}'- thick sides, in which they may cluster during 

 the winter, as many hives have perished because the leaves 

 are so close as to prevent clustering altogether. Each ob- 

 server will be sure to make his own additions and improve- 

 ments, so that nothing more need be said on the subject. 

 Perhaps the doors may be improved by being made of four, 

 six, or eight small panes of glass, each of which is removable 

 without disturbing the others, that if any one comb is wanted, 

 or any bees are to be abstracted, the hive may not be thrown 

 into such confusion as the opening of an entire side always 

 must occasion. 



The Best Hive — is that one which, while it best secures 

 the health and ])rosperity of the inmates, be.'-t facilitates the 

 particular modes of operation adopted by the owner; these 

 admit of great variety, especially with regard to the taking 

 of honey, and the increase of the number of communities. 



