SOS HIVES FORM POSITION. 



clean, particularly so in the spring, at the commence- 

 ment of the working season. If it be at times sprinkled 

 with a little salt, it will be very conducive to the 

 health of the bees. In short, all impurities should be 

 removed from within and without the hive, in order 

 to save the cleanly insects the unprofitable labour 

 of the removal of nuisances. 



BEE-HIVES have ever varied much, both in their 

 form, and the materials of which they have been 

 constructed. In the natural state, these insects, of 

 course, take possession of any hollow vacant spot 

 convenient for their domicile and laboratory a hollow 

 tree, chasm in the rock or bank or the wall or roof 

 of a deserted building. In such places they enclose 

 themselves, always dwelling and labouring in the dark. 

 Taken under the protection of man, they will remain 

 in any kind of dwelling appropriated to their purpose, 

 and hives have been made of wood, for example, 

 of a cask ; of wicker work plastered, and of straw : 

 the latter material, in England particularly, has long 

 had the preference. There are glass hives, for the 

 purpose of inspection. Common straw hives, are to 

 be had in any part of the country : in London the 

 price of them is half a crown, and three shillings 

 per Ib. extra for any glass in them which may be 

 required. 



Apiarians have not yet agreed on the most advan- 

 tageous form of the hive, a great number of them 

 tasking their invention, and each recommending his 

 own form. Mr. Huish, as the last, ought to be, on 

 that account, and from his great practice is, most to 



