CHAPTER V 



HIVES a:nd hive parts 



In their wild state bees lived in hollow trees 

 or in cavities in the rocks. Instead of being 

 straight, their combs were often built with a 

 curve suited to the particular cavity in which 

 they were built. Since the convenience of the 

 bees in passing from one part of their hive to 

 another was the only thing to be considered, the 

 combs were built in a natural manner. When 

 man first undertook to profit from the labor 

 of the bees by supplying them with suitable 

 shelter, he was content to furnish them with a 

 hollow log, a straw skep, or a rude box and 

 permit them to build their combs in their own 

 way. Such honey as could be secured was 

 taken from them by cutting out a part of the 

 combs from the main cavity or by killing the 

 bees and taking all their store. After a time 



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