NECESSARY EQUIPMENT 55 



many dollars in equipment which is never used. 

 While there are other articles which can be 

 convenient^ used, and which become necessary 

 in handling a large number of hives, the above 

 meagre list includes all the tools actually neces- 

 sary to care for three or four hives of bees run 

 for comb honey. Hives and hive parts will be 

 considered in the next chapter, but even with 

 hives, simplicity and economy work for effi- 

 ciency in honey production. 



Nearly every supply catalogue lists swarm 

 catchers, and they are usually about the first 

 thing purchased by the beginner, yet after vis- 

 iting hundreds of apiaries the author cannot 

 recall one where a swarm catcher such as is de- 

 scribed in the supply catalogues is used for 

 taking swarms. 



Queen and drone traps are not useless, but 

 they are of little value and are very seldom used 

 by an efficient beekeeper. It is far easier and 

 cheaper to prevent the raising of too many 



