48 



owners until they have filled their own store-house with a 

 winter's supply. The ahove described hive is equally as 

 good as a ten dollar patent one, and will cost but a trifle. 

 It affords a chance to get the surplus honey without de- 

 stroying the bees, and this is the only commendable ad- 

 vantage of any of the patent articles. 



THE BEE-HOUSE. 



Where is the best place to set the hives? Some prefer 

 placing them under the shade of a tree, upon a form, 

 without any other covering. Others think it best to ar- 

 range them in a house or shed, closely enclosed on three 

 sides, with a roof above. About a middle course is evi- 

 dently the better way, viz: a simple roof covering, open 

 on all sides. .Bees want plenty of pure, fresh air. They 

 will not thrive without it. A bee-house enclosed on three 

 sides is too close and hot, and will not admit enough air. 

 A simple roof covering is all that is necessary, under 

 which is a form for the reception of the hives. The face 

 of the hive should open to the South, and should be 

 placed, if possible, so that from ten to two o'clock it may 

 be shaded by some tree. All bee-hives during the sum- 

 mer months, should be elevated from the bottom board 

 on which they stand, at least half an inch. This can be 

 done by placing a wedge of wood under each corner of 

 the hive. Free ingress and egress arc thus allowed, also 

 fresh air and no lodging place for the eggs of the miller. 



The drawers should go in on the back part of the hive, 

 so that they can be approached without disturbing the 

 bees or getting stung by them. • 



HIVING THE NEW COLONIES. 



Young swarms of bees begin to leave the hive, usu- 

 ally about the middle of May. From one to three young 

 swarms go out in the course of six weeks from a single, 

 well-stocked hive. It requires some considerable tact to 

 hive the young swarms with success. They commonly 

 leave the old hive from between nine o'clock to three 



