The Townsend Bee Book 7 
will store honey in almost any kind of hive; and, further, that a 
hive poorly proportioned can be so manipulated as to yield fair 
results in the production of honey. But in this case it is, of course, 
the man and not the hive that should get the credit. In this arti- 
cle I propose to fit the man to the hive, the hive to the man, and 
both to the location. 
It has been my fortune (or perhaps misfortune) to be the 
owner of almost all kinds and sizes of hives, including the ten- 
frame Gallup and the ten-frame Quinby—hives varying in size 
from 1000 to 1800 square inches of brood-comb space. I have also 
had the eight, ten, and twelve frame Langstroth hive; and many 
times different sizes and styles of hives were in the same yard. 
My experience with such has extended over many seasons, so that 
IT am in condition to know which size and style are best adapted 
to my locality and to my particular system of management, ete. 
Probably two-thirds of the colonies in this State are in eight- 
frame Langstroth hives, or in hives similar in size and shape. In 
general we may say that, the further north the beekeeper is locat- 
ed, the shorter his honey season. A short season requires a small 
hive for the best results in the production of honey; and a small 
hive requires the more constant care. A large hive will stand 
more neglect. 
Our location is one where the surplus flow is early and quite 
short, it being mainly from clover and raspberry. This flow 
usually begins about 60 days after the first natural pollen is 
brought in. The best flow is apt to come after a rigorous winter, 
and then the skill of the expert is needed to bring the bees through 
in good condition, and tide them over the ever-changing days of 
spring. All admit that an eight-frame Langstroth hive is large 
enough to allow a colony of bees to build up to a normal size 
during this time when circumstances are favorable. Now, if it 
takes all the skill of the experienced beekeeper to manage his bees 
so they will come through the winter and spring in the best condi- 
tion and take care of the surplus honey in general, what can be 
expected of the inexperienced, careless, or indifferent beekeeper? 
It is evident that the eight-frame brood-nest is ample for such, as 
there is no object in having more frames if the beekeeper is not 
able to get the colony built up safely to occupy them. The eight- 
frame is ample for the beginner ; but when the knack of successful 
management is acquired, so that at least half of the colonies, by 
the time the honey-flow begins, fill their hives to overflowing with 
bees, a larger hive—that is, a ten-frame size—must be used. If 
the beginner were to start with a twelve-frame hive it would be 
