I 



The Canadian Horticulturist, 31 



THE HIVE. 



Upon this subject I hardly consider it wise to more than touch. There is 

 such a diversity of opinion, everyone must judge for himself according to condi- 

 tions. At the same time I cannot treat the subject honestly and conscientiously, 

 without stating that I consider any material variation from the depth of the 

 Langstroth frame a mistake. 



THE SUPER. 



There is perhaps no super that will give us all advantages and no 

 disadvantages. We must then select the one which has the greatest number of 

 advantages and the least number of disadvantages. I should like the super that 

 would protect the four sides of the sections, also its edges as far as possible, but 

 when we consider the difficulty, in fact, impossibility, of getting at sections, the 

 conclusion is forced upon us, that something else must be looked for. The 

 section supers, with section holders consisting of two sides and a bottom bar 

 with separators, followers and wedge, is probably the super we are looking for, 

 as it is not covered by patent, and everyone is at liberty to make and use it. 

 The sections are protected as far as convenience in handHng permits. 



SIZE OF SECTION. 



The size of section must be the next consideration. In this, we must keep 

 in view convenience, demands of the market, and what the supply dealer makes. 

 When we do this but few will fail to take the 4^x4^ section. To decide upon 

 the width is a more difficult matter. In Canada, ninety- five out of every 

 hundred use thei ^ section, a few use seven to the foot, the balance i^, 1^, 

 i^, i^ and 2 inches. The demand is for* the thinner section, i^ or seven to 

 the foot. In the United States I am safe in saying, the demand is increasing 

 for a thinner section, something more in the direction of what Canadians are 

 using, and that demand will be met. 



HEES. 



Next comes the bees. Upon this it is my in^ention here to touch very 

 briefly, as the subject comes up again under " General Management." Just let 

 me say, beauty of comb produced, honey gathering qualities, and the like, must 

 be looked to before beauty of bee. I believe many of our queen breeders are 

 bowing tpo much to popular opinion in the breeding of queens. They know a 

 beautiful queen and beautiful bees will please as soon as the eyes rests upon 

 them. We are apt to be carried away with them the moment we open the cage, 

 while it takes time to manifest other and more practical characteristics. 



MANAGEMENT. 



And now comes management. The bees should have plenty of stores in 



