HIVES. 17 



peot to encourage bee-keeping, they must have better 

 success than a neighbor of mine, who expended fifty 

 dollars for bees and a patent, and lost all in three 

 years 1 Most bee-keepers are farmers ; very few are 

 engineers sufficient to work them successfully. I 

 would say to all such as do not understand the nature 

 of bees, adhere to simplicity until you do, and then 

 I am quite sure you will have no desire for a change. 



FIRST DELUSION. 



Probably the first delusion in the patent line ori- 

 ginated with the idea, that to obtain surplus honey, it 

 was absolutely necessary to have a chamber hive. To 

 get rid of the depredations of mice, the suspended 

 hive was contrived. The inclined bottom-board was 

 then added to throw out the worms. To prevent the 

 combs from sliding down, the lower end was con- 

 tracted. 



The principle of bees rearing queens from worker- 

 eggs when destitute, gave rise to the dividing hive in 

 several forms. Comb, when used several years, be- 

 comes thickened and black, and needs changing; hence 

 the changeable hives. Non-swarmers have been in- 

 troduced to save risk and trouble. Moth'proof hives 

 to prevent the ravages of worms, &c., &c.» 



CHAMBER HIVE. 



The chamber hive is made with two apartments ; 

 the lower and largest is for the permanent, residence 

 of the bees, the upper or chamber for the boxes. Its 

 merits are these : the chamber affords all the protec- 



