FARMERS' BULLETIN, No. 129. 



DIFFERENT TYPES OF HIVES. 



To look through many of our books on bee culture, for the purpose of 

 finding out the best class of hive to use, would puzzle the beginner, for of 



the many varieties he noticew, all 

 claim certain advantages. Personally 

 I advise the use of the " Langstroth 

 principle " hive, in using which the 

 reader will be in company with the 

 majority of successful apiarists. 

 These hives are made in eight and 

 ten-frame sizes, though at the 

 present time the latter size is the 

 more popular. It is unnecessary 

 to go into the construction of the 

 hive, save to say that it consists of 

 a full depth body for brood, and 

 that generally the half-depth supers 

 are preferred for surplus honey. 

 Fig. 1 will give an idea of the 

 appearanee and construction. 



It is best to purchase the first hive complete, as a good idea is then 

 obtained as to how they should be nailed and adjusted. After this 

 knowledge has been gained the hives could be forwarded in the flat as is 

 usual. Be sure and paint all hives before use. 



1. — A Hive on the Langstroth Principle. 



The Home-made Hive, 



As many apiarists prepare home-made hives during the winter it is 

 advisable to consider the manner in which they should be constructed, for it 

 means much in easy manipulation later on. Good construction of the hive is 

 practically the basis of successful management in the case of a beginner. 

 The usual fault in construction is that the hives are not made to a standard 

 or interchangeable size ; this causes such inconvenience to the would-be 

 progressive apiarist, that after a time he finds it necessary to transfer his 

 bees to a more efficient and convenient hive. We find in other cases where 

 the hives are interchangeable, that the spacing for the frames is at fault ; 

 too much space is left in the frames between the supers, or between the side 

 bar and end board of the hive. This will induce the bees to build a 

 considerable amount of burr comb, and cause difiiculty in manipulation and 

 damage to the frames ; in addition, the temper of the bees is severely tested. 

 Insufficient space allows protection for pests such as wax moths, for the 

 bees cannot attack them ; the manipulation will be as difficult as with 

 overspacing, and often many bees will be crushed during manipulation of the 

 supers or frames. The disadvantages mentioned do much towards destroying 

 the interest of the beginner in the business. 



It is always preferable to use factory-made hives ; but if there is a reason 

 for desiring the home-made article, the apiarist should obtain at least one of 

 factory make as a guide. Then take all jneasurements correctly ; purchase 

 the frames, make use of comb foundation before the bees are placed in the 

 hive, and have a sound cover and bottom board. 



