34 HIVES. 



the combs are thick and bad, &c.) Where will the 

 queen be ? , With the brood-comb, where her duty is 

 most likely to be ; well, this is the one we want, and 

 we take it out. How is she to get back ? She must 

 go back, or we have three chances in four of losing 

 the stock ; but her majesty will remain perfectly easy, 

 as well as some of the workers, wherever you put the 

 drawer. 



FURTHER OBJECTIONS TO A SECTIONAL HIVE. 



I can see no other way but to break the box, look 

 her up, and help the helpless thing home, (the chances 

 of being stung may be here too.) Now, for a time at 

 least, they must use the other drawer for breeding, 

 where most of the cells are unfit. There is altogether 

 too great a proportion of drone-cells ; these, as well 

 as the other size, will nearly all be much too long, and 

 will have to be cut off to the proper length, a waste of 

 wax as well as labor. Another thing might be set 

 down per disadvantage of Mr. Cutting's hive ; the job 

 of getting a swarm into such hive, at first, I fancy 

 would not be desirable to many. Now, when we strike 

 the balance, putting expense, difi&culties, and perplexi- 

 ties on one side, and simplicity and economy on the 

 other, it appears like a " great cry for little wool." 

 But stop a moment, four other advantages are enu- 

 merated in its favor : second, third, and fourth are bor- 

 rowed from the common hive, or are all available here 

 when required. But fifthly, allows a ''column of air 

 between the drawers and outside of the hive, is a non- 

 condur+or of heat and cold," &c. This is an advaiitage 



