136 MODERN BEEHIVES. [Ch. ill. 



each upper end, which rests in the notches at back and 

 front. We have placed this hive first in our Hst of 

 modem frame hives in accordance with the part it has 

 played in rendering them popular in this country as 

 explained in the preceding section. 



2. Straw. — Subsequently to the introduction of the 

 above wood hive Mr. Woodbury recommended that the 



stock hive should be made of straw, of exactly the same 

 dimensions ; this material being warmer in winter, cooler 

 in summer, more equable in temperature at all times, 

 slightly ventilating, and allowing of absorption. Bees, 

 during, cold weather, cluster together to generate the re- 

 quisite degree of heat ; the temperature of the interior of 

 the hive being thus so much higher than the external at- 

 mosphere, a good deal of moisture condenses at the top 

 and on the sides of the hive. The straw, as before 

 stated, prevents this dampness hanging about within, and 

 tends to keep the inmates more healthy. 



The square straw hives, and a machine for raakincr 



