12 



spaces between frames on May 1st, he will get one in first-class condition. He should 

 buy only one hive, for he will learn as much in the first year from one colony as from 

 twenty, while if he lets them run themselves his financial loss will be at a minimum. 

 The man who cannot take care of one colony and its increase in one season is lucky to 

 learn his inability at small cost. After the first season, only such money as the bees 

 have actually earned should be invested in increase. A little experience will soon show 

 that every colony on the stand at the beginning of winter will represent an actual cash 

 outlay from $8 to $10. 



The novice should not be tempted to buj^ a colony housed in a soap-box or similar 

 makeshift ; in fact, such a combination means endless annoyance to any one not an 

 expert ; but he should see that he gets a modern hive in good physical condition, free 

 from cracks and loose joints. 



The Hive to choose. 



There have been fashions in hives, but the bee-keepers in British Columbia are 

 almost unanimous in preferring what is known as the Langstroth hive, with eight 

 frames. There are other hives in use ; a few men on the Mainland use the British 

 standard, while on Vancouver Island there still linger examples of the Gallup hive, 

 which is about 14 inches square and deep. There are also in use a few hives about half 

 an inch longer than the regular Langstroth. Modern bee-keeping demands that al| 

 frames be interchangeable, hence the beginner will be wise to start with a standard size 

 and so avoid future annoyance. A factory-made eight-frame Langstroth hive is usually 

 of l-iach lumber, and is 20 inches long, 13| inches wide, and 9^ inches deep, outside 

 measurements. If home-made, it will probably be of |-inch lumber ; hence the lengtli 

 and width will be a quarter of an inch less than the sizes given above. It is, however, 

 the inside dimensions that count. These are : Length, 18J inches ; width, 12| inches ; 

 depth, 9| inches. 



When possible, it is wisdom to have the bargain include the delivery of the hive 

 and placing it in position, as this foresight will in all likelihood evade many stings, and 

 insure the colony being placed in a suitable location — that is, one sheltered from cold 

 winds. 



Cost of First Season. 



The cost of a venture in bee-keeping should not be much over $20, made up thus : — 



Colonv $10 00 



Smoktr 100 



Bee-veil 75 



Bee-gloves 40 



$12 15 



New hive for swarms, complete $ 3 50 



Supers, say 5 00 



8 50 



Total $20 65 



The above prices are not the lowest possible, but a fair average. If uncontrolled 

 swarming be permitted, more new hives may have to be bought, running up the total 

 cost to not more than $30. 



Location. 



The location of the bees in the yard is important. The hive should be sheltered 

 from cold winds in the spring months ; hence, in most regions it should be shielded 

 on the north by a fence, clump of shrubs, house, or barn. On the other hand, in the 

 summer months there must be free circulation of air all round ; therefore, the hive must 

 be at least feet from the fence or building. The position of the entrance is not really 

 important, but it generally faces the south, so that the sun's rays in spring will send 



