THE EVOLUTION OF THE BEE-HIVE. 233 



the Langstroth. I found this alteration a decided improvement, 

 and particularly convenient for working the one-pound sections. 



It was this alteration I made in the Berlepsch that convinced 

 me of the drawbacks it had, and in the following season I was 

 soundly converted to the Langstroth pure and simple. 



The ordinary Berlepsch hive is made to carry pound sections. 



THE COMBINATION HIVE. 



This hive was introduced to bee-keepers in 1878, by a Mr. 

 Abbott, whose name it bears. The inventor claimed for it all 

 the requirements necessary for a perfect hive — ease of manipula- 

 tion, full control of the bees, every facility for the bees to store 

 surplus honey, queen-rearing, and above all "the only hive in 

 the world in which swarming can be positively prevented." Not- 

 withstanding all that was claimed for it, it reigned but a short 

 time with British bee-men. The diagram shows the general ar- 

 rangement of the interior of the hive. Brood frames, frames for 

 surplus honey, and broad frames or crates for sections, are all 

 contained in the one chamber. For wintering, the brood-frames 

 can be closed in behind by a tightly-fitting dummy. The frames 

 are the ordinary Langstroth measurements, and are arranged 

 transversly, and not at right angles, as in the Langstroth Sim- 

 plicity. This hive has a few advocates in this State, and some 

 of the largest yields of honey have been obtained from it. 



The Combination hive and the Long Idea are synonymous 

 names for the same hive. Mr. W. T. Seabrook claims to have 

 introduced this hive into New South Wales, and has added several 

 useful improvements to that made by Mr. Abbott. The cover 

 of Mr. Seabrook's improved combination hive is flat, and made in 

 two equal sections. The first section of the cover is placed over 

 the brood, and the second over the honey. With this arrange- 

 ment the operator, whilst inspecting the honey-chamber, can do 

 so without disturbing the brood. His other improvement is a 

 side entrance in addition to the one in front of the hive. This 

 side entrance acts as a bee-escape. When the honey is to be 

 extracted, the lid covering the brood-chamber is drawn slightly 

 back, a plain division-board or dummy is slipped down in front 

 of the queen excluder. This cuts off direct communication be- 

 tween the honey and the brood ; the lid being replaced, the side 

 entrance is opened, and the imprisoned bees gradually escape. 

 These operations are usually done about noon, and the work of 

 extracting begun the following day. When the full combs are 



