CHAPTEE VII, 



HIVES. 



NATURAL. 



WHERE nature makes the hive, bees are known to 

 thrive in a remarkable degree. 



On examining the hollow of a tree, such as bees 

 select for their residence, we find it almost invariably 

 deep from top to bottom, in proportion to its width, 

 varying in diameter from ten to fifteen inches, while 

 the height varies from two to five, or more feet. 

 The space at the top commences in a point, and 

 gradually widens downwards till the largest diameter 

 is reached ; this is then continued for some distance, 

 and not unfrequently terminated in a point like the 

 top. The entrance is through a hole caused by the 

 rotting of a limb, or by the bill of the woodpecker. 



From three to eight gallons of honey are usually 

 obtained from a single bee-tree, indicating a capacity 

 varying from two thousand to four thousand cubic 

 inches. There are instances where as high as fifteen 

 gallons have been obtained, but they are rare ; double 

 6* 



