REQUISITES OF A COMPLETE HIVE. 139 



16. It should be equally well adapted to be used as a 

 swarmer, or non-swarmer. 



17. It should enable the Apiarist to multiply his colonies 

 with a certamty and rapidity which are impossible if he de- 

 pends on natural swarming. 



18. It should enable the Apiarist to supply destitute col- 

 onies with the means of obtaining a new queen. 



19. It should enable him to catch the queen, for any pur- 

 pose; especially to remove an old one whose fertility is im- 

 paired by age. 



20. It should enable a single bee-keeper to superintend 

 several hundred colonies for different individuals. 



Many persons would keep bees, if an apiary, like a gar- 

 den, could be superintended by a competent individual. If the 

 bees are allowed to swarm, he may be called in a dozen dif- 

 ferent directions at once, and if any accident, such as the 

 loss of a queen, happens to the colonies of his customers, 

 he can usually apply no remedy. 



21. All the joiats of the hive should be water-tight, and 

 there should be no doors or shutters or drawers liable to shrink, 

 swell, or get out of order. 



22. A complete hive should be protected against the de- 

 structive ravages of mice in Winter. 



23. It should permit the honey, after the gathering season 

 is over, to be concentrated where the bees will most need it. 



24. It should permit the space for spare honey receptacles 

 to be enlarged or contracted at will, without any alteration 

 or destruction of existing parts of the hive. 



Without the power to do this, the productive force of a 

 colony is in some seasons greatly diminished. 



25. Its surplus honey receptacle should be as close to the 

 brood as possible. 



26. A complete hive, while possessing all these requisites, 

 should, if possible, combine them in a cheap and simple form, 

 adapted to the wants of all who are competent to cultivate 

 bees. 



