54 THE BEE-KEEPER’S MANUAL. 
COMMON STRAW (OR SINGLE) HIVES. 
In their wild state, bees have most usually found 
«% secure residence in the decayed trunks of thick 
forest trees. Where they are domesticated, the kinds 
and shapes, as well as the materials, of bee hives vary 
according to climate and locality, or the purse of the 
proprietor. Those used in many parts of this country 
are made of straw, of a bell shape, and being intended 
for single hiving, are usually without any means of 
enlargement. At the end of the sccond or third year, 
they are too often placed over the pit of destruction ; 
and thus, with a little impure honey, flavoured with 
brimstone, the scene closes. Is it surprising that an 
unpleasant association is thus connected with the use 
of such hives? Happily for the canse of humanity, 
experience has decided that this consequence is not 
inevitable ; and I trust I shall hereafter point out the 
method by which it may be avoided, and make it 
appear to be the interest of the proprietor never to kill 
his bees, let the hive be of what kind it may. 
Common hives are best made of unthreshed 
rye, or good wheat straw. They would be much 
improved by a greater attention to shape, being 
usually too high in proportion to the width. It 
may be well, in this connection, to introduce the 
observation of Gelien. ‘One of my chief objects,” 
says he, ‘has been to ascertain what shape of 
hive is the most profitable; and with this view I have 
tried all the different kinds, and have invariably 
remarked that bees thrive better in low hives than 
