REQUISITES OF AN IMPROVED HIVE. 101 



ties, in which the moth delights to lay her eggs ; and which 

 furnished her progeny with a most congenial nourishment, 

 until they are able to get access-to the combs. 



21. It should afTord facilities for feeding the bees both 

 in warm and cold weather. 



In this respect, my hive has very unusual advantages,' 

 Sixty colonies in warm weather may, in an hour, be fed a 

 quart each, and yet no feeder be used, and no risk incurred 

 from robbing bees. (See Chapter on Feeding.) 



22. It should allow of the easy hiving of a swarm, with- 

 out injuring any of the bees, or risking the destruction of 

 the queen. (See Chapter on Natural Swarming, and Hiving.) 



23. It should admit of the safe transportation of the bees 

 to any distance whatever. 



The permanent bottom-board, the firm attachment of the 

 combs, each to a separate frame, and the facility with which,' 

 in my hive, any amount of air can be given to the bees 

 when shut up, most admirably adapt it to this purpose. 



24. It should furnish the bees with air when the entrance 

 is shut ; and the ventilation for this purpose ought to be un- 

 obstructed, even if the hives should be buried in two or three 

 feet of snow. (See Chapter on Protection.) 



25. A good hive should furnish facilities for enlarging, 

 contracting, and closing the entrance ; so as to protect the 

 bees against robbers, and the bee-moth ; and when the en- 

 trance is altered, the bees ought not to lose valuable time 

 in searching for it, as they must do in most hives. (See! 

 Chapters on Ventilation, and on Robbing.) 



26. It should give the bees the means of ventilating their 

 hives, without enlarging the entrance too much, so as to ex- 

 pose them to moths and robbers, and to the risk of losing 

 their brood by a chill in sudden changes of weather. (See 

 Chapter on Ventilation.) 



9* 



