98 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. 



20. The bottom-board should admit of bemg easily 

 cleared, in cold weather, of dead befes. 



If suffered to remain, they often become mouldy, and 

 injure the health of the colony. In dragging them out, 

 when the weather moderates, the bees often fall with them 

 on the snow, and are so chilled, that they never rise agam ; 

 for a bee, in flying away with the dead, frequently retains 

 its hold, until both fall to the ground. 



21. No part of the interior of the hive should be below 

 the level of the place of exit. 



If this principle is violated, the bees must, at great dis- 

 advantage, drag, up hilk, theiii dead, and all the refuse of 

 the hive. 



22. It should afford facilities for feeding bees, both in 

 warm and cold weather. 



In this respect, the movable-comb hive has unusual ad- 

 vantages. In warm weather, sixty colonies may, in less 

 than an hour, receive each a quart of food, without any 

 feeder, and with no risk from robber-bees. 



23. It should permit the easy hiving of a swaiin, with- 

 out injuring any bees, or risking the destruction of the 

 queen. 



24. It should admit of the safe transportation of the bees 

 to any distance whatever. 



The permanent bottom-board, the firm attachment of 

 each comb to a separate frame, and the facihty with which • 

 air can be given to confined bees, admirably adapt my 

 hive to this purpose. _ 



25. It should furnish bees with air, when the entrance, 

 for any cause, must be entirely shut. 



26. It should furnish facilities for enlarging, contracting, 

 and closing the entrance, to protect the bees against rob 

 hers, and the bee-moth ; and when the entrance is altered, 



