254 



THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



[May, 



never, as far as 1 have noticed, saw brood so exposed 

 to, say the full-grown bee looking white, patches of 

 it, and had them to come all right. The workers, 

 removed them, and not one of them could find in 

 one instance, that colored dark showing maturity. 

 Mrs. Tupper is in error on the same subject. But 

 what say our enlightened bee-keeping public to this 

 point ? Shall we have the pleasure to hear some of 

 their experience in this matter? Or is "Novice" 

 the only one who can prove what is believed by 

 Mrs. Tupper and myself, on this subject, to 

 be erroneous? It would appear that "Novice" 

 thinks it to be from an excess of heat. Well, I have 

 the opposite opinion. In the summer of 1871, 

 which was remarkable for its low temperature, I had 

 occasion, one day, (thermometer at 55°, bees flying 

 somewhat) to sling honey from all the combs but 

 two central ones, they being filled chiefly with 

 brood, and every comb being operated on. They 

 contained sealed brood, and showed patches of dif- 

 ferent sizes of brood, apparently of every stage of 

 maturity, uncovered. Finding it thus three days, 

 afterward, this one being the worst, in such a state, 

 in consequence of the cold that day, in my opinion. 



C. Wurster. 

 Kleitiburg, March 24th. 



Cheap Hives. 



[The following communication was addressed by 

 Mr. Quinby to "Novice," and has been forwarded to 

 us in accordance with the writer's instructions, as 

 given in this accompanying note : " Mb. A. J. Root:- 

 Enclosed is an article on "Cheap Hives," that I 

 would like to see in " Gleanings." If too long, 

 please send it to Mr. Clarke, or return it to me." As 

 " Novice " has sent it to this oflice, instead of return- 

 ing it to the author, we presume he wishes to have it 

 published, so that both he and Mr. Q. will be glad to 

 see it in these columns:] 



Mr. Editor. — What constitutes a cheap hive ? 

 Twenty years ago I made hives, and used them, that 

 cost only thirty-seven and a half cents — the hive 

 alone — succeeded with it, recommended it to others, 

 because I thought it the cheapest that could be made. 

 Mr. Langstroth promulgated the movable-comb prin- 

 ciple. The hive could not be made short of several 

 times the cost of the one I used. Before any one 

 adopted it, he must be persuaded that it was cheaper, 

 must know enough about bees and their management 

 to know what was wanted in a bee-hive — that he 

 could make enough more with the movable combs 

 to pay the additional expense, and a surplus besides. 

 Can you not show that your hive costing a dollar is 

 cheaper than the one costing thirty-seven and a half 

 cents? Are there any further improvements pos- 

 sible ? 



Mr. Hazen patented a hive that would hold boxes 

 to contain 200 pounds surplus. Can this be improved? 

 I wanted the hive that that would make the most 

 honey as well as profit. If the cost of making ex- 

 ceeded the value of extra honey, better not make it. 

 But if the reverse was the case, it seems to me that 

 the hive costing more was the cheapest, as more was 

 left from the same bees, after deducting expenses. 



You recommend a hive that can be made for a dollar. 

 Suppose Mr. Hazen recommends one that costs, with 

 right to use, $10, and gets 200 pounds in boxes, 

 worth twenty-five cents per pound, amounting to $50. 

 You get 200 pounds extracted honey, worth fifteen 

 cents, amounting to $30. Here is $20 difference. 

 We reckon nothing for cost of extractor and labor of 

 using it. The cheapest hive ought to be easily seen. 

 The prices of last season would make the difference 

 $40. Until we can raise the credit of pure extracted 

 honey, that in boxes will pay the best. Now I want 

 a hive that is adapted to either. Have made such a 

 hive. Cannot make it for a dollar ; yet all it costs 

 more is more than made up by Jthe conveniences, 

 which make it cheaper in the end. In taking out a 

 frame of comb, it usually is not best to lift it out 

 from between two others, causing the irregularities 

 to pinch, perhaps mash a few bees, and make them 

 cross, when they will need some smoke to quiet them. 

 This takes time — " time is money " — I wish to avoid 

 this. If plenty of room is furnished in combs or 

 boxes, they do not join the frames together by con- 

 structing cells between them, nor do they make cells 

 where there is room for only one or two of half the 

 usual depth, which, filled with honey, must be cut 

 out, or the cells broken or mashed, exposing the 

 honey. It took some experience with large hives to 

 demonstrate this. Now to prevent inequalities of 

 combs in suspended frames from pinching bees, take 

 off the side of the hive, and take the first comb out 

 a little sideways first; no bee is pinched. Yet when 

 we want a comb from the middle, we must take the 

 outside ones first till we come to it. The combs, 

 when taken out must be put somewhere, leaned up 

 against something, or put in an empty hive. We 

 gain something by taking the side off before lifting 

 them out. We make it still more convenient by 

 taking off the end as well as side, and 

 have the frames stand alone on the bot- 

 tom board. Each one or more can be moved six 

 inches, and stand firmly without pinching or irri- 

 tating. The middle one can be moved an inch or 

 two sideways, unhooked and lifted out ; no bees dis- 

 turbed. It is known that after a comb is taken out, 

 and raised up to look at, that the greatest danger of 

 stings is over. The light seems to confuse the bees, 

 and they are not able to comprehend the true state 

 of things. The black bees, as soon as the first im- 

 pulse is over, run away and try to hide. The Ital- 

 ians remain spread over the comb without much 

 fear. We separate the combs without a jar, with 

 some sharp-pointed instrument, till the light affects 

 them, before lifting a comb. Can a hive be made to 

 effect this, without taking off the end as well as side ? 

 We wqrk faster in this way. It takes time to subdue 

 cross bees. We can do more work every day, and in 

 a few days enough more to pay for fixing a hive 

 convenient to work with, that costs more, and ever 

 after pays a profit. Which is the cheapest hive? 

 Again, the corners of the hive, or any box, can be 

 held together as firmly as by nails, and held both 

 ways equally, can be loosed as readily as raising a 

 latch ; boards forming hive are not split or spoiled 

 in separating, as when nailed ; can be used for other 

 purposes if necessary. The hoops are metal, and 

 will last a little over a life-time, yet the cost of such 

 fastening is little more than nails, but may be reck- 

 oned cheapest in the end. 



