56 HIVES. 



swarm, and estimating the surplus in boxes that a good 

 hive -would yield, he contrasts this profit with what I 

 gave as about one-third of the average yield of a swarm- 

 ing hive in good seasons. He simply changed the question 

 to one not under consideration at all. I mention this to 

 show that the statements of interested parties should be 

 received with caution. I shall now make a similar esti- 

 mate, but to prevent similar misrepresentations, I will give 

 a little nearer the true yield of a swarming hive. Recol- 

 lect, T speak of the real non-swarmer, in a small dark 

 room. Wg start with one hive worth $5 ; at the end of 

 ten years it is worth no more. The chances of its failing 

 before that time we will not take into the account. We 

 get annually, say, $5 worth of surplus — it wiU not be likely 

 to be worth more, considering the shape it is in. This, 

 with the value of the hive, will amount to $55. We will 

 suppose that the swarming hive throws off one swarm an- 

 nually, and stores $5 worth of surplus. To be moderate, 

 we will call the average $2. The swarms will sometimes 

 store $20 worth, but we Avill call their surplus worth $2 

 each. Commencing with an old hive that gives an increase 

 the first year, at the end of ten years we have 1024 hives. 

 These at $5 each, are worth $5,120. At $2 each, the sur- 

 plus brings $4,092, which, added to the value of the hives, 

 gives a total of $9,212, as a result to compare with $55. 

 To prevent any misapprehension on this point, I will state 

 that in this illustration, I do not intend to be underistood 

 that any one wiU realize such a profit, but it serves to 

 show the relative advantages of swarming and non-swarm- 

 ing hives. 



It is said that many of the pretended " non-swarmers " 

 can be converted into swarmers, in two days, at the option 

 of the apiarian. Colton could place on his hive six large 

 boxes at one time, containing nearly 3,000 cubic inches. 

 By removing these at any time when there were bees 



