CHAPTER II. 



THE GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF BEES. 



I. HIVES. II. NKMBKR OF SWARMS PUOKITAHKY KKIT ON A FARM IH. 



SWARMlNfi. IV. llIVINd NKW SWARMS.— — V. TAKIN(; TlIK HONEY. VI. 



WINTERIN(} HEFS. VM. IMPLEMENTS OF USE. VIII. A MOTHERLESS SWARM. 



IX. FASTENIN(J EMPTY COMBS IN FRAMES. X. FEEDING BEES. XL 



ENEMIES OF BEES. —XII. FOUL BROOD. XIII. CONCLUSION. 



I. Hivos. 



Whatever the hive used — the old fashioned close box hive is novv-a- 

 days obsolete — si!n[)licity is the main feature to be considered by the 

 farmer. Have nothing to do with a hive that is full of doors, drawers, 

 traps, or any of these devices to catch the unwary. Leave these to 

 experimental bee-keepers. If comb-honey in frames is desired, about 

 4,000 cubic inches should be the contents of the hive. If the surplus 

 honey is to be contained in caps, 2,000 cubic inches and even less will be 

 ample for the hive. In any event, the 

 hive should be closely jo-'ited, and care- 

 fully put together. 



In oiu" opinion the Langstioth hive, or 

 some moditication of this form is best, all 

 things considered, for the farmer. Its 

 patent has now expired, and the cut we 

 give shows a hive that any carpenter can 

 make, or the several parts vau now be 

 bought ready to be put together of any 

 one dealing in bee-keepers, supplies, 

 packed for shipment. Its working parts 

 are easily adjusted; it is as near moth 

 proof and vermin proof as any hive — 

 none are really so. To the talent of Mr, Langstroth, who during his life 

 labored continuously in simplifying the "mysteries of bee-keeping," is 

 due, more than to an}' other one individual, the bringing of this interest- 

 ing art within the grasp of all. 



On the next page are given two illustrations, showing different forms 

 of movable frames, the larger one filled with comb, while the smaller one 

 has only a few cells. The smaller frame is only about sis or eight inches 



1235 



MOVABLE FRAME HIVE. 



