37 



nisbing 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 are compelled to build their own combs, without the 

 guide furnished by the embossed sheet of foundation, drone comb 

 will be constructed to a much greater extent than when the foun- 

 dation is furnished. 



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

 full and explicit directions for the selection of supplies, the man- 

 ipulation of bees or the conducting of an apiary. This informa- 

 tion can be obtained from a study of the books enumerated at the 

 end of this paper, also by visiting a well-conducted apiary and 

 observing the apiarist at his work. 



A few of the more common 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 difference, 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 frequently necessary. 



Unless one has at his disposal 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 must be accurately and 

 strongly made, to provide proper space for the bees and accurate 

 fitting of all parts, to prevent excessive glueing by the bees and 

 to allow an interchange of every fixture. For one wishing to 

 economize in the purchase of hives it is l)etter to bu}' them un- 

 painted in the " flat" and put them together and paint them rather 

 than to attempt to build them, running tlie risk of mistakes that 

 are almost certain to be made. 



The accompanying illustrations show two of the many service- 



