and its Economic Management. 25 



CHAPTER III. 

 THE ECONOMY OF THE HIVE. 



DESIRING to place a few important matters before the 

 uninitiated reader in as simple a manner as possible, I 

 will begin with the establishment of a new f warm, and explain 

 the various phases of its existence until that in its turn is pre- 

 pared to send forth its own increase. 



Presuming that our swarm has been duly hived in move- 

 able frames, each of which has a wax guide down the centre of 

 the, top bar, we shall find that the bees begin to extend them- 

 selves in festoons from the highest point should the hive not 

 stand on the level ; if perfectly flat, then the cluster is formed 

 near to one side, and forthwith waxen cells are added to the 

 guide placed to ensure straight building. If the weather is 

 favourable, the delicate white comb will be found to increase 

 rapidly in semi-circular form, until the centre reaches to within 

 J-inch of the lower rail of the frame, when the side spaces are 

 soon filled in. Sometimes combs will be started in different 

 places dong the guide, and as the circular edge of each nears 

 its neighbour, these are joined, and the several united con- 

 tinued as one comb. 



By using a sheet of glass next above the franies, or better 

 still, my glass rail sections, kept warm with woollen material, 

 the interesting operation of comb-building may be watched. 

 Many bees will be seen with strips of wax just removed from 

 the " wax pockets " on the under-side of the abdomen, and 

 this they are moulding into shape as added to the thick rim 

 on the outer edge of the cells. This rim is always present, 



