168 NATURAL AND AETIFIOIAL INOEEASB. 



STRAIGHT COMBS. 



A consideration wortliy of notice in regard to the 

 frames filled with new combs during those operations, is, 

 that if the new one be built between two that are true 

 and straight, it must itself be perfectly straight. Fre- 

 i|uently, whoi-o several frames are filled with foundation, 

 tlu^ cells in one will be built longer at the top than those 

 on the one opposite, making them fit loss exactly when 

 their jtosition is (^hanged. This plan of dividing is recom- 

 mended as efficacious in [irovonting the desire to swarm. 



CONTROLLING SWARMING. 



Many bee-keepers prefer surplus honey to increase of 

 stocks. This is often the case with those who keep but 

 one or two swainis, to sup[)ly hon(^y for home use. Those 

 wlio pursue boe-kcci)ing for profit, in sections where tlie 

 honey yield is brief in duration, find that, as a rule, the 

 less incrc^ase made, the greater Uw gain in surplus. But 

 in othiu- sections, whci-o the yield is prolonged, it fre- 

 quently happens tliat stocks may b(! ddiibled, and more 

 honey s(Hmrc(l from vM-h of the two, than would have 

 been produced by the old stock, with a gain of the new 

 colony besides. As tlie apiarian can not know in ad- 

 vane(^ what the duiation of the honey harvest will be, we 

 who have short sc^iisons must practice a system of man- 

 agement which is suggested by the idea that the less in- 

 ci'case tlie better, provided the desire to swarm is con- 

 trolled. 



NON-SWARMING HIVES. 



With tliis idea in view, m;mj hives have been devised 

 and d(^vices sugge-ited, all of which have been partial fail- 

 uri«. Pi'oljably the New Qninliy Hive attains tliis end as 

 nearly as any, but it has neviu' l)e(m claimed to be a com- 

 plete non-swaiining hive. Its facility for furnishing 



