THE MATERULS OF HIVES. 53 



them unsatisfactory, have invented hives of wood. Of 

 course, everybody loves his own offspring, and likes to 

 see it bear a good name, and be recognised in society. 

 Every invention is a grand affair! Both architect and 

 builder join hands in holding forth an article decidedly 

 superior to all that has gone before ! And what was be- 

 gun in honest effort ends in full-fledged quackery. And 

 hundreds, ignorant of bee-science, are induced to purchase 

 these costly hives, which, in their own turn,, are found so 

 unsatisfactory, that purchasers think they wiU never be 

 duped again. Another invention turns up in the shape 

 of a costly hive — to be managed on the " depriving " or 

 humane system ! Many, again, are bewitched by the very 

 name of the last invention, and spend their money for 

 hives which the writer would not accept as a gift. 



It appears from Mr Quinby's book on bees, that in 

 America the new inventions in bee-hives are more nume- 

 rous than they are here, and are well patented and pat- 

 ronised. After showing the worthlessness of many patent 

 hives, Mr Quinby says, " that in Europe the same ingen- 

 uity is displayed in twisting and torturing the bee, to 

 adapt her unnatural tenements, invented not because the 

 bee needs them, but because this is a means available for 

 a little change. Patent men have found the people gene- 

 rally ignorant of apiarian science. Let us hope that their 

 days of prosperity are about numbered." 



Mr Quinby, who is one of the largest bee-keepers in 

 the world, and president of the American Apiarian So- 

 ciety, knows well that common hives are the best, and 

 that straw is better than wood as material for hives. At 

 page 300 of his book he says, " I shall greatly err in my 

 judgment if straw, as a material for hives, does not re- 

 gain its former position in public favour." " We have," 

 Mr Quinby says, " faithfully supported a host of specu- 

 lators on our business for a long time, often not caring 



