28 HIVES. 



Thirdly, because large swarms may be easily divided. 

 Fourthly, because however late a swarm may come 

 off, it may be easily supplied with honey for the 

 winter, by taking from a full hive a surplus drawer, 

 and placing it in the hive of the late swarm. Fifthly, 

 because a column of air between the drawers^ and the 

 outside of the hive is a non-conductor of both heat 

 and cold, preventing the melting of the comb, and se- 

 curing the bees against frost and cold." 



Now here is a full description of perhaps as good a 

 hive as any of its class; it is given for the benefit of 

 those who wish to go miles instead of rods ; they may 

 know the road, especially as they can have the privi- 

 lege by paying for it : for myself, I had rather be ex- 

 cused, — why, reading the description has nearly ex- 

 hausted my paitience ; what should I do if I attempted 

 to make one ? • 



FIRST OBJECTION, COST OF C0N8TUCTI0N. 



The first obstacle in the way (after the right is ob- 

 tained) is the construction. Let's see ; we want inch 

 boards to make the shell, three-quarter inch boards 

 for the tops and bottoms of drawers, half inch for sides, 

 hinges to hang a door, glass for back of drawers, 

 tubes for the egress of the bees, and slides to cut off 

 communication. It will be necessary to get a me- 

 chanic, and a workman too. Those 108 holes that 

 must be bored, mtist match, or it is of no use to make 

 them. But few farmers would have the tools requi- 

 site, a still less number the skill and patience to do it. 

 What the cost might be by the time a hive was ready 



