BEES. 9 
EQUIPMENT IN APPARATUS. 
It can not be insisted too strongly that the only profitable way to 
keep bees is in hives with movable frames. The bees build their 
combs in these frames, which can then. be manipulated by the bee 
keeper as necessary. The keeping of bees in boxes, hollow logs, or 
straw “‘skeps”’ is not profitable, is often a menace to progressive bee 
keepers, and should be strongly condemned. Bees in box hives 
(plain boxes with no frames and with combs built at the will of the 
bees) are too often seen in all parts of the country. The owners may 
obtain from them a few pounds of inferior honey a year and care- 
lessly continue in the antiquated practice. In some cases this type 
of beekeeping does little harm to others, but where diseases of the 
brood are present the box hive is a serious nuisance and should be 
abolished. 
WORKSHOP. 
It is desirable to have a workshop in the apiary where the crop 
may be cared for and supplies may be prepared. If the ground on 
which the hives are located is not level, it is usually better to have 
the shop on the tower side so that the heavier loads will be carried 
down grade. The windows and doors should be screened to prevent 
the entrance of bees. The wire cloth should be placed on the outside 
of the window frames and should be extended about 6 inches above 
the opening. This upper border should be held away from the 
frame with narrow wooden strips one-fourth inch in thickness so as 
to provide exits for bees which accidentally get into the house. Bees 
do not enter at such openings, and any bees which are carried into 
the house fly at once to the windows and then crawl upward, soon 
clearing the house of all bees. The windows should be so arranged 
that the glass may be slid entirely away from the openings to prevent 
bees from being imprisoned. The equipment of benches and racks 
for tools and supplies can be arranged as is best suited to the house. 
It is a good plan to provide racks for surplus combs, the combs being 
hung from strips separated the distance of the inside length of the 
hive. 
HIVES. 
It is not the purpose of this bulletin to advocate the use of any 
particular make of hive or other apparatus. Some general state- 
ments may be made, however, which may help the beginner in his 
choice. 
The type of hive most generally used in this country (fig. 2) was 
invented by Langstroth in 1851. It consists of a plain wooden box 
holding frames hung from a rabbet at the top and not touching 
the sides, top, or bottom. Hives of this type are made to hold eight, 
ten, or more frames. The size of frame in general use, known as the 
86707°—Bull. 447—11——2 
