124 THE BEE keeper's MANUAL. 



with. It may be performed without any risk, by a woman 

 or a boy. 



If the hive is of glass, it will warm up all the better, and 

 as the combs are on frames, they cannot be melted or in- 

 jured by the heat. It is a serious objection to most covered 

 Apiaries, that they do not permit the hives to receive the 

 genial heat of the sun at a period of the year when instead 

 of injuring the bees, it exerts a most powerful influence in 

 developing their brood. 



This is one among many reasons why I have discarded 

 them, and why I prefer to construct my hives in such a 

 manner that they need no extra covering, but stand exposed 

 , to the full influence of the sun. I have known strong 

 colonies which have survived the Winter in thin hives, to 

 increase rapidly and swarm early, because of the stimulating 

 effect of the sun ; while others, deprived of this influence, 

 in dark bee houses and well protected hives, have some- 

 times disappointed the hopes of their owners. Although 

 my glass hives are very beautiful, and most admirably pro- 

 tected, still hives of doubled wood may often be built to 

 better advantage by those who construct their own hives, 

 and they can be made to furnish any desirable amount of 

 protection. 



Enclosed Apiaries are at best but nuisances : they soon 

 become lurking-places for spiders and moths ; and after all 

 the expense wasted on their construction, afford, but little 

 protection against extreme cold. 



I have been thus particular on the subject of protection, 

 in order to convince every, bee keeper who exercises com- 

 mon sense, that thin hives ought to be given up, if either 

 pleasure or profit is sought from his bees. Such hives an 

 enlightened Apiarian could not be persuaded to purchase, 

 and he would consider them too expensive in their waste of 



