APPENDIX. 125 



temperature is of great consequence to them. I might, perhaps, just 

 state that Mr. Nntt's hive consists of three boxes on a common floor. 

 The centre or principal hive is that into which the swarm is first put, 

 and to the sides of which the end hives are secured. From the centre 

 to the side boxes are passage ways commanded by sliding tins. In 

 the side boxes, are ventilating tubes, and at the period of swarming, 

 by withdrawing the tins, and thus producing a circulation of air from 

 the centre box through the ventilators, and by giving additional room, 

 the bees will not swarm, but continue their labors in the collateral 

 boxes. Mr. Nutt states, in his work, that in the year 1834, he took 

 ttco hundred and ninety six and a half pounds of pure honey from one 

 hive, thus made and managed. The front and back of the centre hive, 

 in which the queen deposits all her eggs, and where, of course, the brood- 

 comb is all found, is of one and a half inch well seasoned plank ; the 

 other parts are somewhat thinner. All the boxes are thoroughly made 

 and well painted. I consider it by far, the best hive within my knowl- 

 edge, and should rejoice to see it in general use. The pattern, which 

 I have, has never been infested by the moth. 



" Your next question relates to any remedies I may know against 

 the ravages of the Tinea. How gladly would I make them known, 

 if I knew any ! I have, at present, no hope but in constant watchful- 

 ness and well made and tight hives. In M. Bevan's excellent work on 

 the Bee, he observes that ' hives are sometimes made of the red 

 cedar, from its eflicacy in keeping away the moth.' I have con- 

 structed hives of this wood, but they were as much infested as any 

 others in my apiary. A great variety of methods have been proposed 

 for subduing this formidable enemy, all more or less useful, but none 

 of them fully answering the purpose, and keeping oflf the intruder. I 

 know of nothing to be applied, excepting the use of tight hives, con- 

 stant care in frequently examining and sweeping the floor boards, 

 shutting the entrance from 7J o'clock, P. M., to daybreak, &-c. 



" With regard to the question, ' Whether bees may be allowed with 

 safety and success to multiply indefinitely in a hive or room,' I can 

 give no reply founded on personal experience. I have been informed 

 of instances in this neighborhood where they have been allowed to go 

 on increasing and l)uilding, without swarming, to a considerable and 

 profitable extent. I myself have not been engaged in the subject long 

 enough to apply the test of experience. Having thought upon the 

 subject, however, I last year built a very large hive, with large collat- 

 eral boxes to try the experiment. Dr. Thacher is in favor of allowing 



