THE MATERIALS OF HIVES. 65 



120 lb., 109 lb., 104 lb. Mr George Campbell got four 

 swarms from one hive; their united weight (including 

 the mother hive, which was 93 lb.) was 373 lb. The profit 

 from this hive must have been very great. 



Tlie question of sizes and shapes we now come to con- 

 sider. Three sizes have been recommended : the first, 

 20 inches wide by 1 2 inches deep, inside measure ; the 

 second, 18 inches by 12 inches deep ; and the third size, 

 16 inches wide by 12 inches. 



The first size contains about 3000 cubic inches ; the 

 second size, about 2700 cubic inches ; and the third size, 

 about 2000 cubic inches. We say about, for hives are 

 sometimes made convex or round in the crown ; and when 

 this is done, the cube measure will be lessened somewhat. 

 It is not expected that bee-keepers will be guided to the 

 adoption of hives corresponding exactly with the sizes 

 given above, but it is hoped that they wiU adopt and use 

 hives after their own models, equal in dimensions to the 

 second and third sizes. We use two sizes only in our 

 own apiary — viz., the 16 and 18 inch hives — because 

 three sizes necessitate a like number of boards and ekes, 

 and our aim is to manage bees with the least possible 

 expense and trouble. But in future our 16 and 18 inch 

 hives will be made 14 inches deep — that is, nearly one- 

 .sixth larger than they are at present. In fine seasons 

 these hives will need to be enlarged by ekes or supers. 

 Enlarging hives by ekes is mentioned now with a view to 

 let the reader see the wisdom of fixing on certain sizes for 

 his hives — at least the width of his hives — so that enlarge- 

 ment may be easy when necessary 



A hive 20 x 12, well filled, weighs 1001b. ; one 18 x 12, 

 80 lb. ; and the 16-inch hive weighs about 50 lb. These 

 figures are meant to give the reader an approximate idea — 

 not an accurate one — of the contents of the hives recom- 

 mended. In the months of May and June, the hives would 



