82 WEEKS’ VERMONT HIVE. 
visit. I find that the smaller the aperture for the entrance of the 
bees, the less liable the moths are to enter, and especially if they are 
compelled to enter directly in among the bees. Every bee-keeper 
knows that when a hive is crowded with bees there is but little 
danger of moths troubling them; but let the colony be reduced in 
numbers so as to not more than half fill the hive, leaving a large 
portion of the combs unprotected by the bees, and if the moths do 
not find their way to them it will be something unusual. I have 
found also there is no better protection against the moth than fall 
hives. Even if the swarm be small and weak, if it fill the space it 
occupies, they will defend themselves against moths, especially if the 
entrance into the hive be small. But put a small swarm into a large 
hive, and leave it open all around the bottom, and every bee-keeper 
knows what to expect generally; and if the moths do not take pos- 
session of the whole concern in a short time, he is disappointed, and 
considers himself very fortunate indeed. 
AsIam frequently asked the question (by persons engaged or in- 
terested in keeping bees), whether I ever saw this, that, and the other 
patent hive of which they have heard, but have never seen, I have 
thought that it might probably interest some to insert a few cuts 
showing the form of different hives that are in use in various parts 
of our country, and accompany each with a few remarks in explana- 
tion of them. 
WEEKS’ VERMONT HIVE. 
Mr. Weeks, the inventor of this hive, has paid a good deal of atten- 
tion to the culture of the honey bee, and has published a small work 
on the subject. This is a chamber hive, affording room for two boxes 
for surplus honey, of about twelve pounds each. The reason for 
having the rear incline, as stated by Mr. Weeks, is to prevent the combs 
from falling or breaking down, and the inclined bottom, to enable the 
bees to carry out the moth and dead bees more easily; but as I have 
stated, it affords the millers too free access into the hive. The bottom 
is usually attached by wire hooks, leaving an open space on every 
side of the hive. . 
This hive has been introduced very extensively in several States, 
