94 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. 



in hot weather, a larger force in ventilation, than would 

 otherwise be necessary. By the use of my movable 

 blocks (PI. V., Fig. 17), the entrance may be kept so small, 

 that only a single bee can go in at once, or it may be 

 entirely closed, without the bees suffering for want of air. 

 While the ventilators afford a sufficient supply, they may 

 be easily controlled, so as not to injure the brood by 

 admitting too strong a current of chilly air. In the 

 chapter on wintering bees, directions are given for ven- 

 tilating the hives hi cold .weather, so as to carry off all 

 superfluous moisture. 



The construction of my hives allows of ventilation from 

 above ; and it should always be used, when bees are shut 

 up for any length of time, to be moved, that the colony 

 may not be suffocated, by the lower ventilators becoming 

 clogged by dead bees. As the entrance of the hive, may 

 in a moment, be enlarged to any desirable extent, without 

 perplexing the bees, any quantity of air which the bees 

 may require, can be admitted ; the ventilator on the back 

 allowing a free current to sweep through the hive. The 

 entrance may be fourteen inches and upwards in length ; but 

 as a general rule, in a large colony, it need not, in Summer, 

 exceed four inches ; while, during the rest of the year^ one 

 or two inches will suffice. In very hot weather, especially 

 if the hive stands in the sun, the bees cannot have too 

 much air ; and the ventilators in the upper part of the 

 main hive should all be kept open. 



