MINER’S EQUILATERAL CROSS-BAR HIVE. 89 
does she need man's wisdom,” and that she “stands forth perfect in 
every work.” And I agree with him, and verily believe that she is 
fully competent (if put into suitable hives) to go on and construct just 
such combs as instinct teaches her are best adapted to her wants, (and I 
think I have heard it said that “instinct is never at fault.”) 
Yet, after all that has been said, I think that if some plan could be 
adopted (and it can) that would induce the bees to build their combs 
more uniformly and straight, it would be no injury to the prosperity 
of the colony, but an advantage, in some respects. But that the whole 
success of bee-keeping depends upon the bees building their combs 
“parallel, and uniform,” and that they will not do this without having 
cross-bar hives to do it in, I think is carrying the joke a little too far, 
for we all know that bees have prospered and done well when taken 
care of, without these fixtures. I am convinced, however, that the 
better accommodations the bees are supplied with, the more profitable 
and prosperous they will prove. But that everything depends upon 
one little item, (and this something new,)I do not believe. Others may 
form their opinion, and act accordingly. 
The bars to this hive are attached similar to those in Dr. Bevan’s, 
which has already been described. Mr. M., I understand, besmears 
the under edges of the bars with melted wax, which induces the bees 
to follow them in constructing their combs. He also uses a plate or 
sheet of thick paper with portions of it cut out the thickness of the 
combs, and the distance apart the combs are required. This he lays 
onthe inside of the top the same as a miller brands his barrels, or a 
merchant boxes of goods, and then with a sponge or brush dipped in 
melted bees-wax, he puts on the wax where it is desired to have the 
bees attach their combs. , 7 
In cutting the guide-plate, it will be necessary to be very particular 
to lay off the distances between the combs where they will be needed. 
The outside space should be left a little broader than the others, un- 
less the hive is of suitable size to have all the spaces equal. The best 
way is to commence at the middle of the plate to lay off the spaces, 
and if there is any surplus room throw it at the outside of the hive, for 
the bees generally build these combs thicker than the centre ones, and 
use them for storing honey. 
