102 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. 



42. It should enable the Apiarian to multiply his colo- 

 nies with a certainty and rapidity which are impossible if 

 he depends upon natural swarming. 



43. It should enable the Apiarian to supply destitute 

 colonies with the means of obtaining a new queen; 



Every Apiarian, for this reason alone, would find it to 

 his advantage to possess, at least, one such hive. 



44. It should enable him to catch the queen, for any 

 purpose ; especially to remove an old one whose fertility 

 is impaired by age. 



45. While a complete hive is adapted to the wants of 

 those who desire to manage their colonies on the most 

 improved plans, it ought to be suited to the wants of those 

 who, from timidity, ignorance, or any other reason, prefer 

 the common way. 



46. It should enable a single bee-keeper to superintend 

 the colonies of different individuals. 



Many persons would keep bees, if an Apiary, like a 

 garden, could be superintended by a competent individual. 

 No person can agree to do this with the common hives. 

 If the bees are allowed to swarm, he may be called in a 

 dozen different directions at once, and if any accident, 

 such as the loss of a queen, happens to the colonies of his 

 customers, he can usually apply no remedy. 



On my plan, those who desire it, may witness the indus- 

 try of this sagacious insect, and gratify their palates with 

 its delicious stores harvested on their own premises, with- 

 out incurring either trouble, or risk of annoyance. 



47. All the joints of the hive should be water-tight, 

 and there should be no doors or shutters liable to shrink, 

 swell, or get out of order. 



The importance of this requisite will be obvious to any 

 one who has had the ordinary share of vexatious experi- 

 ence with such fixtures. 



