78 HANDY BOOK OF BEES. 



tamed and used. Those tliat hold from 6 to 12 lb. aie 

 more readify sold than larger ones ; but for ornament or 

 exhibition, the larger they are the better. 



It should be understood by aU, that though supers 

 may be obtained from hives of all shapes and materials, 

 some kinds are better than others ; and where the best 

 .kiuds are used, both the bee-master and his bees are 



Common Honey-Glass. Improved Hoiiey-Glass. 



placed on vantage-ground. For instance, large hives are 

 incomparably better than small ones ; straw hives better 

 than wooden ones ; and those of simple construction are 

 more easily managed, and give more freedom and scope to 

 the industrious inmates, than those that are complicated. 

 The position of the holes in the tops of the hives, 

 through which the bees reach and fill the supers, is of 

 little importance. The holes in our hives are aU in the 

 centre of the crown, and measure 4 iaches wide. Some 

 modern inventors object to centre holes because they are 

 immediately above the brood-combs, where queens are 

 ever at work laying eggs, and may readily step into the 

 supers and there deposit some. To avoid this danger 

 these inventors have the holes in their hives nearer or 

 over the outside combs, where honey is generally stored. 

 Both answer very well, for excellent supers of comb have 

 been filled through centre and also through side holes. We 

 get supers weighing from 10 to 40 lb. filled over centre 

 holes, without a cell of brood or a speck of bee-bread in 

 them. The size of the hole is of some importance. We 



