28 HIVES. 
* 
3d. That a swarm of bees do not require as much room the first 
season as they do the second and after years. 
4th. That a family of bees do require more room during the sum- 
mer season than in winter. : 
5th. That a colony of bees, when supplied with ample room for all 
to labor to advantage, will produce a much larger amount of honey 
than when crowded so as to compel large numbers of them to leave 
the interior of the hive, and cluster and idle away their time on the 
outside. 
6th. That a colony of bees will not often continue vigorous and 
healthy, if permitted to occupy and breed in the same combs fora pe- 
riod of more than three or four years, and that by the removal of the 
old combs (if done in a suitable manner) the colony may be kept in a 
healthy state for any number of years. 
7th. That all hives should possess some convenient means for taking 
the surplus honey without disturbing or injuring the bees. 
8th. That it is not only desirable, but absolutely necessary, for the 
successful culture of the honey-bee, that the hive afford some conve- 
nient and safe arrangement for feeding, as it often becomes necessary 
not only to feed late and weak swarms, but that even strong and popu- 
lous colonies often require feeding, during a cold and backward spring, 
to prevent them from starving. 
9th. It is desirable also that a hive afford facilities for observing the 
operations of the bees, and ascertaining the amount of honey in store, 
and the strength and condition of the colony at all seasons. 
10th. It is a consideration of much importance also, that hives 
should be so constructed as to render the distance that the bees have 
to travel to deposit their stores, after entering the hive, as short as 
possible to all parts, as this will save thera much time and labor, and 
as the honey season is usually short, every facility should be afforded 
them to improve it to the best possible advantage. 
11th. That it is also necessary that the bees, in order to be healthy, 
must be supplied with a good degree of ventilation. 
I say all are ready to admit that the foregoing requisites are both 
desirable and necessary. 
But when we come to consider the form and size of bee-hives, or 
