58 AN EASY METHOD 



ground on their frontiers, it requires a tremendous eflfort; on 

 the part of the bees, to save their little colony from a com- 

 plete overthrow. 



If late or second and third swarms are always returned 

 immediately, according to the rule, the comb is kept so 

 guarded that the moths are compelled to keep their distance, 

 or be stung to death before they can accomplish their pur- 

 poses. By using the Vermont Hive, strictly adhering to the 

 directions given in this Manual, the manager of bees is ena- 

 bled to control the size of his swarms to a great degree, and 

 keep the numbers of the original stock full, and in this 

 manner render them more than a match for their deadly 

 enemies. But this industrious insect is exposed to other 

 accidents and misfortunes, which may be remedied or pre- 

 vented by the use of this hive. [See Appendix.] 



The moths are often complained of when they are not 

 guilty. Hives are frequently abandoned by their occupants, 

 in consequence of the loss of their queen, unnoticed by any 

 observer ; and,- before any thing is known of their fate, the 

 hive is destitute of bees, and filled with moths. 



Hives made so large as not to swarm may lose their 

 queen, and then they will abandon their habitation, and 

 emigrate into the adjoining hive, leaving all their stores to 

 their owner, which, unless immediately taken care of, the 

 moths will not fail to destroy. 



In the summer of 1834, one of our neighbors had a very 

 large hive that never swarmed, which lost its queen; and in 

 the course of a few days the bees entirely vacated their 

 tenement, and emigrated into an adjoining hive, leaving the 

 whole of their stores, which amounted to 215 lbs. of honey 

 in the comb. No young bees or moths were discovered in 

 the hive. Instances of this kind frequently occur, and the 

 true cause is unknown, from inattention. 



