10 AN EASY METHOD 



secure from the bees, being guarded by the timber on their 

 sides. Thus, while a maggot, {larva,) the raoth uses the 

 cement for food until it arrives so far towards a state of 

 maturity sa to be able to spin a web, which is more fully 

 explained in Chapter X. 



The size of a hive should be in accordance with the 

 strictest rules of economy, and adapted to the peculiar na- 

 ture and economy of the honey-bee, in order to make them 

 profitable to their owner. 



The lower apartment of the hive, where they store their 

 food, raise their young bees, and perform their ordinary 

 labors, should hold as much as a box of thirteen inches and 

 one half, or fourteen inches square, or one bushel. This 

 size cannot safely be deviated from to any considerable de- 

 gree, for reasons drawn from the following facts, which will 

 be considered more in detail in the pourse of the worjc. 



Nature has fixed certain principles in the peculiar instinct 

 of the honey-bee, which are unalterable by human wisdom. 

 (See General Observations.) 



If the hive is much larger than the one already described, 

 the bees cannot work to advantage, and will not be likely to 

 fill the drawers in several years, if they swarm ; and their 

 prosperity depends principally on swarming, for it is their 

 nature to do so ; and- any management which counteracts 

 their natural habits impedes them in their labors, and ren- 

 ders them of little profit to their owner ; and they finally 

 run out, or come to an end, in a few years. 



Bees in large hives never swarm ; and those in hives 

 much less than the one already described, do but little else 

 than raise young bees, and lay up a sufficient quantity of 

 Jbod to supply them through the coming winter, and are 

 more liable to be robbed, and perish in the winter for want 

 of animal heat. 



