i>EOTECTION. 121 



of air could possibly gain admission to them. Bees, when 

 kept in a dry place, in properly protected hives and in a state 

 of alnnost perfect repose, need only a small supply of air ; 

 and the objection that those cultivators among us, who shut 

 up their colonies very closely in Winter, are almost sure to 

 lose them, is of no weight ; because the majority of our 

 hives are so deficient in protection, that if they are too 

 closely shut up, " the breath of the bees," condensing and 

 freezing upon the inside, and afterwards thawing, causes the 

 combs to mould, and the bees to become diseased ; just 

 as many substances mould and perish when kept in a close, 

 damp cellar. 



We are now prepared to discuss the question of protec- 

 tion in its relations to the construction of hives. We have 

 seen how it is furnished to the bees in the Polish hives, and 

 in the decayed hollows of trees. If the Apiarian chooses, 

 he can imitate this plan by constructing his hives of very 

 thick plank : but such hives would be clumsy, and with us, 

 expensive. Or he may much more effectually reach the 

 same end, by making his hives double, so as to enclose an 

 air space all around, which in Winter may be filled with 

 charcoal, plaster of Paris, straw, or any good non-conductor, 

 to enable the bees to preserve with the least waste, their 

 animal heat. I prefer to pack the air-space with plaster of 

 Paris, as it is one of the very best non-conductors of heat, 

 being used in (he manufacture of the celebrated Salaman- 

 der fire-proof safes. Hives may be constructed in this way, 

 which without great expense, may be much better protected 

 than if they were made of six-inch plank. As the price 

 of glass is very low, I prefer to construct the inside of my 

 doubled hives of this material. When a number of hives 

 are to be made, as the lowest price glass will answer every 

 purpose, I can furnish a given amount of protection cheaper 

 n 



