THE MATERIALS OF HIVES. 87 



WTien an 18-incli hive receives an eke — say, 4 inches 

 deep — it will measure 18 x 16, and contain nearly 4000 

 cubic or square inches of space. Now, teU us if a hive of 

 such dimensions, ■well filled with combs, wiU not overtask 

 the laying powers of a queen bee ? No ; we have seen 

 larger hives as full of brood as the smallest hive in the 

 country ever was. 



Before we leave the question of sizes, let us warn our 

 readers not to be too hasty in introducing the large sizes 

 into their apiaries. Begin with the 16-inch hive, and 

 never purchase one less. The second year the swarms 

 from these wdl be able to fill the larger sizes. 



THE MATERIALS OF HIVES. 



Straw hives, well sewed with split canes or bramble- 

 briers, are incomparably better for bees than any other 

 kind of hive yet introduced. Nothing better is needed, 

 and we believe nothing better wlU. ever be found out. 

 On the score of cheapness, neatness, lightness, suitability, 

 and surpassing worth, we advise aU bee-keepers to use 

 nothing but straw hives as domiciles for their bees, if 

 their aim be to get honey and profit. 



Where straw hives cannot be obtained, wooden boxes 

 are used ; but they are very objectionable in every sense, 

 save, perhaps, their durability. 



Hives made of wood, at certain seasons condense the 

 moisture arising from the bees, and this condensed mois- 

 ture invariably rots the combs. The walls of a wooden 

 hive are often like the walls of a very damp or newly- 

 plastered house. The outside combs, and sometimes the , 

 centre combs too, perish before the wet walls of these 

 wooden hives. They perish in this sense, that their 



