HIVES. 29 



to receive the bees, I could not say; but guesa it 

 might be some three or four dollars. 



HIVES CAN BE MADE WITH LESS EXPENSE. 



• 



The one I shall recommend, without paint, will not 

 cost, or need not, over 37^ cents, with cover, etc. 

 Now, if we wish hives for ornament, it is well enough 

 to expend something for the purpose ; but it is well 

 not to refine too much, as there are limits which, if 

 passed, will render it unfit for bees. Therefore, when 

 profit is an object, the extra expense will or ought to 

 be made up by the bees, in return for an expensive 

 domicil. But will they do it ? The merits of the one 

 under consideration are fully given. " First, by tak- 

 ing out a full drawer and putting in an empty one in 

 its stead, the combs are, always kept new, and cells of 

 full size." Now this fear of bees becoming dwarfs in 

 consequence of being reared in cells too small, has 

 done more mischief among the bees, and their owners' 

 poiskets, than if the fact had never been thought, or 

 heard of. 



OLD BREEDING CELLS WILL LAST A LONG TIME. 



These old cells do not need renewing half as 

 often as has been represented. It is the interest of 

 these patent-venders to sell rights ; this interest either 

 blinds their eyes as to facts, or lulls the internal moni- 

 tor of right, while acquisitiveness is gratified. The 

 same cells can be used for breeding six or eight years, 

 perhaps longer, and no one can tell the difference by 

 the size of the bees; I have two stocks now in their 



