23 AN EASY METHOD OF 



join with ther nearest neighbors, leaving their 

 combs to the merciless depredations of the 

 moth. They are sometimes robbed by their 

 adjoining hives, and then the moths finish or 

 destroy what is left. 



Second swarms are generally about half as 

 large as the first, and third swarms half as 

 large as second ones. 



Now if second swarms are doubled, so as to 

 make them equal in number with the first, the 

 owner avails himself of the advantage of a 

 strong colony, which will not be likely to be- 

 come disheartened for w^ant of numbers, nor 

 overcome by robbers from stronger colonies. 



It is far less trouble, and less expense, for 

 the bee-owner lo equalize his colonies, than to 

 prepare hives and drawers of difi?erent sizes 

 to fit colonies. 



When colonies and hives are made as near 

 alike as possible, many evils are avoided, and 

 many advantages realized : every hive will fit 

 a place in the apiary — every drawer a hive, 

 and every bottom board and slide may in any 

 i^ase be used without mistakes. 



