186 



THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



■brethren do not go too fast in improving the 

 Italian queens, or that race generally. I have 

 purchased three or four fuU-hlooded queens of 

 that race, and thought when I got them to have 

 the three yellow rings, I had reached the point, 

 having laid out seventy or eighty dollars already. 

 I have set my wits to work, and a new plan 

 strikes me, whereby I maj^ keep up with the 

 rest of you. My queens produce three-ringed 

 workers. Now, I shall have drones with' at 

 least two of the yellow rings ; and don't you see 

 1 am going to let those drones pair with the 

 three-ringed queens next year ; and don't you 

 know that the two and three make live yellow 

 rings on their progeny ? And will I not thus 

 be ahead of some of you ? And after that I am 

 going to add a half-blooded Egyptian drone to 

 my stock ; which will then come out five rings 

 double-blooded Italian and halt-blood Egyptian. 

 If I am mistaken in this, I am willingto have 

 the mistake pointed out, as I am truly 



A PniLOMATH. 



[For the American Bee Journal.] 



The Best Form for Hives. 



In answer to "ciuestions" by Querist, on page 

 138, cnrrent volume, I gave in a former number 

 my views of the "best size" for a hive. I will 

 now say what I consider the "best form." The 

 length and width of a hive measured inside of 

 the frames, should be nearly equal, which would 

 make tiie box a little longer than wide. The 

 depth tif tlie hive should be about one-fourth 

 more than the length. The bottom board should 

 incline a little, to aid the bees in removing dead 

 bees, (fcc. It should also be so constructed that 

 it may be dropped at the rear of the hive, for 

 the purpose of hiving and cleaning in the spring. 



The following is the inside measurement 

 of the bo.x of a frame hive, which I prefer to all 

 others ; 12 inches wide, 14 inches long, 16^ 

 inches deep in front, and 14f inches deep at the 

 back. This size and shape allows eight frames 

 of the following dimensions inside, measured 

 through the centre each way ; 13f inches by 

 13^ inches. The depth of the frames, of course, 

 being 134. Making a trifle over 2,000 inches 

 comb capacity. I consider such a shape the 

 nearest approach to the requirements of the bee 

 that we can get, as it allows the bees to form 

 themselves into a natural cluster, and one best 

 adapted to secure the most heat in winter. 

 Being about equally distant on all sides from 

 the walls of the hive, no one side of the cluster 

 is more exposed to cold than another. This 

 form also gives sufficient depth of comb to allow 

 the bees to store a large portion of their winter 

 supplies at the top of the hive, where it is always 

 warmer, and hence more readily reached in cold 

 weather; while the distance to be travelled by 

 the bees to reach the surplus boxes in this form 

 of hive, is so little more than a shallow one, that 

 the difference is of no account whatever. This 

 form, if otherwise properly constructed, also 

 ensures straighter and more even combs than 

 any other, and that, too, without the use of 

 "gnide-combs" or "comb-guides." Again, I 



consider this form of combs (nearly square) the 

 most easily handled in the various operationa 

 with the bee; while the hive in its outward ap- 

 pearance is symmetrical, and highly ornamental 

 to a well-arranged lawn. 



I do not believe that climate should have any- 

 thing to do with the size or form of a hive I be- 

 lieve the size and form I have given, to be adapted 

 to all climates; and, other things being equal, will 

 show as good results in the production of surplus 

 honey as any other; while, in other respects, it 

 is, in my opinion, superior to any other form. 

 It will be understood that with this form of hive 

 it is desirable to use a double tier of boxes; and 

 as the bees fill the lower tier, raise them and 

 place the upper tier under. Bees will readily 

 work in a second box if this plan is followed. 

 A free entrance also should be given to the 

 boxes, and the honey board should never be 

 over I inch thick ; and only ^ inch space between 

 the frames and honey board should be allowed. 

 The passage through the honey board to each 

 box, should be from two to three inches square. 

 With this construction the bees in the boxes are 

 not detached from the bees in the body of the 

 hive. J. II. Thomas. 



Brooklin, Ontario, Canada. 



[For tlie American Bee Journal.] 



Give every one his due. 



Mr. Editor : — I have been noticing the 

 movements, and dodgings, and quibblings of 

 the different bee-hive manufacturers, and their 

 friends. And from all that I can gather, I must 

 think that our brother bee-keepers are on the 

 track of imj^rovement, because they are willing 

 to criticise and be criticised. For while one 

 attempts a blow of criticism, the other throws 

 blood, thunder, and wounds, and cast-iron frame 

 holders at him ; and he takes it with a patience 

 of a Job, at least it appears so ; but I think all 

 the more of him for that. The language of an 

 old divine i.s, "in your patience possess ye your 

 souls." 



But what I wish to get at more particularly, 

 is that the honor of inventing movable frames 

 seems to be so grudgingly or reluctantly given 

 to him who is entitled to it. Some would call 

 them American, and some call them side-opening 

 hives ; while others would jierhaps like to have 

 them called thin paste board side, or hoop-bound 

 frames, instead of coming out Avith due credit 

 and honor to the man who most likely invented 

 those frames, and did undoubtedly obtain letters 

 patent, a re-issue, and an extension of that pat- 

 ent, and call them at once the Langstroth 

 movable frame. I feel considerable more on 

 this subject, but shall forbear for the present ; 

 for some might think thereby that I ani also 

 more partial than I should be. But I am wait- 

 ing to see a tested improvement on his frame, 

 and then I will fall in. But not sooner. 



S. B. Eeplogel. 



Martinsbtjrg. Pa. 



C^" Send us the names of Bee-keepers, with 

 their Post Office address. 



