176 



THE BEE-HIVES. 



"dovetailed hive." It is an economical hive, but we prefer 

 our hive with telescope cap 'as described. 



356. The hives should always be painted, not only to 

 make them last, but to give them a neat appearance. No 

 dark colors should be used, as they absorb the sun's heat, 

 nor should all the hives be of the same tint (503). If the 

 joints are painted when they are put together, they will last 

 much longer. Every old Apiarist well knows that the joints 

 are the first to decay. 



357. Each hive, in an apiary, should bear a number, on 



Fig. 85. 



THE JUMBO HIVE. 



("The A B C of Bee Culture.") 



the back of the brood apartment; and this should be printed 

 in black characters, large enough to be seen at a distance. 

 In small apiaries bee-keepers use a slate, on each hive; but 

 in large ones, where many operations are performed, it is 

 better to keep a record of the condition of the colonies, 

 and of all the operations, in a special book. 



We will add, that a hive which does not furnish a thorough 

 control over every comb cannot allow of the manipulations 

 which the bee-keeper's necessities demand. Of such hives, 

 the best are those which; best unite cheapness and simplicity, 

 with protection in Winter, and ready access to the spare 

 honey-boxes, or supers. 



