and its Economic Management, 107 



tinned low temperature, as the mid-winter sun does not 

 penetrate to the cluster. There is no warmth in double walls 

 at this time, just when it is most required, though of course I 

 admit that they are a benefit as soon as the cluster expands, 

 retaining the heat given out by the bees ; but this does not 

 compensate for the greater disadvantage in mid-winter as 

 before mentioned. 



Mr. Abbott, when editor of the British Bee Journal, was 

 quite aware of the immense advantage of admitting the sun's 

 rays during winter, and recommended that a piece of glass be 

 let into the outer wall of double-sided hives. HowcYer, 

 double-packed walls to hives do not pay for the extra expense 

 as compared with single walls, and besides being more cum- 

 bersome, are a positive nuisance during the heat of summer, 

 when shade only is required, rather than additional heat. 

 For as a matter of fact packed walls cannot be cool in 

 summer, as the advocates of the same would have us believe. 

 Why. the more frequent swarming complained of with these ? 

 and are we not" told that more warmth is given in Winter? 

 how inuch more then, in excess, in summer ? ^ 



One thing of the utinost importance to which I have often 

 had occasion to call attention, is the 



Space below the Frames. 



The regulation distance of f -inch is certainly allowed between 

 the bottom rail of the frame and the floor of the hive when 

 first made, but this is not ehQugh, as the exposure causes the 

 side .walls to shrink fully one-fourth of an inch. This makes 

 it quite inconvenient and disagreeable in replacing frames, as 

 well as where hives are tiered up ; and though f -inch clear may 

 not work quite well between upper stories at first, it will soon 

 come right by shrinkage when anything like 9-inch stuff is 

 used,, though it may be considered that the wood has been 

 already well seasoned. Now the f -inch space is not sufficient 

 for winter, and where a lower rim cannot be added to the 



