108 THE BEE keeper's MANUAL. 



47. It should allow the contents of a hive, bees, combs 

 and all, to be taken out ; so that any necessary repairs may 

 be made. 



This may be done, with my hives, in a few minutes. 

 " A stich in time saves nine." Hives which can be thor- 

 oughly overhauled and repaired, from time to time, if pro- 

 perly attended to, will last for generations. 



48. The hive and fixtures should present a neat and 

 attractive appearance, and should admit, when desired, of 

 being made highly ornamental. 



49. The hives ought not to be liable to be blown down in 

 high winds. 



My hives, being very low in proportion to their other 

 dimensions, it would require almost a hurricane to upset 

 them. 



50. It should enable an Apiarian who lives in the neigh- 

 borhood of human pilferers, to lock up the precious con- 

 tents of his hives, in some cheap, simple and convenient 

 way. 



A couple of padlocks with some cheap fixtures, will 

 suffice to secure a long range of hives. 



51. A good hive should be protected against the destruc- 

 tive ravages of mice in winter. 



It seems almost incredible that so puny an animal should 

 dare to invade a hive of bees ; and yet not unfrequently they 

 slip in when the bees are compelled by the cold to retreat 

 from the entrance. Having once found admission, they 

 build themselves a nest in their comfortable abode, eat up 

 the honey, and such bees as are too much chilled to make 

 any resistence ; and fill the premises with such an abomina- 

 ble stench, that on the approach of warm weather, the bees 

 often in a body abandon their desecrated home. As soon 

 as the cold weather approaches, all my hives may have their 



