40a BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



by furnishing foundation stamped with worker cells upon the 

 surface. These worker cells, outlined by the press, will be 

 drawn out into full worker cells by the bees. On the other 

 hand, if they are allowed or arc conii)elled to build their own 

 combs, without the guide furnished by the embossed sheet 

 of foundation, drone comb will be constructed to a nmch 

 greater exUnit than when the foundation is furnished. 



In this short article it is not the intention of the writer to 

 give full and exi)licit directions for the selection of sup})lies, 

 the mani[)ulation of bees or the conducting of an apiar}'. 

 This information can be obtained from a study of the books 

 enumerated at the end of this pa})cr, also by visiting a well- 

 conducted apiar}' and observing the apiarist at his work. 



A few of the more connnon mistakes made by the novice 

 may be avoided by observing the following directions : — 



In selecting hives, always select one of the modern movable 

 frame varieties, with super for surplus honey boxes. The 

 old-fashioned box hive is so disadvantageous in so many 

 respects that it should never be made use of. If bees are 

 purchased in a box hive, they should be transferred to a 

 movable frame hive at the earliest possible time. 



As to the variety of the modern hive to be selected, it 

 makes but little ditference, provided it is strongly built, easy 

 to obtain at short notice and convenient to manipulate. As 

 a rule, the simpler the construction the better. There are 

 many varieties on the market (each of which is praised by its 

 inventor and advocated by certain bee keepers). Anti- 

 swarming, double-ventilated and double-covered hives and 

 those of similar description possess few or no advantages 

 over the ordinary modern hive, except in the minds of the 

 inventors. 



It is always advisable to have all hives in the yard alike, 

 in order that parts may be interchanged, as is frecjuently 

 necessary. 



Unless one has at his dis[)()sal wood-working machinery 

 and plenty of spare time, it is better to buy hives of a dealer 

 than to make them. To get the best results, they nmst be 

 accurately and strongly made, to jirovide proper space for 

 the bees and accurate fitting of all parts, to prevent excessive 



