REQUISITES OF A COMPLETE HIVE. 101 



36. It should be able to compel the force of a colony to 

 be mainly directed to raising young bees ; that brood may 

 be on hand to form new colonies, and strengthen feeble 

 stocks. 



37. It ought to be so constructed that, while well pro- 

 tected from the weather, the sun may be allowed in early 

 Spring to encourage breeding, by warming up the hive. 



38. The hive should be equally well adapted to be used 

 as a swarmer, or non-swarmer. 



In my hives, the bees may be allowed to swarm as 

 in common hives, and be managed in the usual way. 

 Even on this plan, the control of the combs will be found 

 to afford unusual advantages. 



Non-swarming hives, managed in the ordinary way, are 

 liable to swarm unexpectedly, in spite of all precautions. 

 In my hives, the queen may be prevented from leaving, 

 and a swarm will not depart without her. 



39. It should enable the Apiarian to prevent a new 

 swarm from forsaking its hive. 



This vexatious occurrence can always be prevented, by 

 so adjusting the entrance, for a few days, that the queen 

 cannot leave the hive. 



40. It should enable the Apiarian, if he allows his bees 

 to swarm, and wishes to secure sm-plus honey, to prevent 

 their swarming more than once in a season. 



41. It should enable the Apiarian, who relies on natural 

 swarming, and wishes to multiply his colonies as fast as 

 possible, to make vigorous stocks of all his small after- 

 swarms. 



Such swarms contain a young queen, and if they can 

 be judiciously strengthened, usually make the best stock- 

 hives. My hives enable me to supply all such swarms at 

 once with combs containing bee-bread, honey, and matur- 

 ing brood. 



