20 



good honey production ; and again because this is a border-line county, 

 which may serve, with its high percentage of box hives in which 

 diseases are controlled with difficulty, as a source of bee diseases in 

 both States. 



The condition on the whole is hopeful — 90 per cent of those report- 

 ing have largely or exclusively frame hives, which shows a progressive 

 tendency. 



It is not, however, within the province of this paper to discuss 

 the relative merits of the various frame hives which are in use. The 

 several makes and patterns in principle are the same; they vary only 

 in detail of construction and proportion. Climatic conditions, the 

 methods of the bee keeper, whether for comb or extracted honey — 

 in a word, the needs of the individual should govern his selection. 



By far the most popular hive is the one generally used in the United 

 States, perfected by Langstroth. In its simplicity and propor- 

 tions it has proven satisfactory to the climate of Massachusetts. 

 Two sizes, the 8 and the 10 frame hives, are popular. According 

 to the statistics, the 8-frame hive is more common (340 bee keepers 

 report having it) than the 10 frame (260 bee keepers). There is 

 a rather strong tendency, judging from remarks in the reports, 

 toward the 10-frame hive. 



Another 10-frame hive, devised in Franklin County, has a shorter 

 and deeper frame" than the standard, and is second in popularity. 

 Its use is rather local, however, being confined largely to central and 

 western Massachusetts, where 100 bee keepers report having it. 



There is but one " closed-end frame " hive in use to any extent. 

 Seventy-seven bee keepers are using it. 



Besides these three types and the box hive, there are a great many 

 homemade contrivances and a few patent hives with some merit. 



WINTERING. 

 METHODS. 



Bees are wintered in two ways. By far the most common and at 

 the same time least laborious and less efficient in the latitude of Mas- 

 sachusetts is on the summer stands. The writer has seen bees go 

 through a winter in Massachusetts unprotected, without bottom board 

 and the corners of the hive rotted away. All manner of devices for 

 protecting the bees on the summer stands are used. They are packed, 

 put in winter cases, and wrapped in paper. But the safest method 

 in a climate as famous for severe and variable weather as that of 



"The frame is 14 inches long and lOJ inches deep, with a top bar one-half 

 inch thick, 1 inch wide, and IGJ inches long, with the corners clipped at each 

 end. The ends of the frames are one-half by seven-eighths inch, and the bot- 

 tom bar is one-fourth by seven-eighths inch. 



