REQUISITES OF A COMPLETE HIVE. 105 



61. A complete hive, while possessing all these requi- 

 sites, should, if possible, combine them in a cheap and 

 simple form, adapted to the wan|s of all -who are com- 

 petent to cultivate bees. 



Few -would imagine, in reading this long list of desira- 

 bles, that any hive can combme them all, -without bebg 

 exceedingly compHcated and expensive. On the contrary, 

 the cheapness and simpUcity -with -which the movable-comb 

 hive effects this, is its most striking feature, and the one 

 -which has cost me more study than all the other points 

 besides. Bees can work, in this hive, with even greater 

 facility than in a simple box, as the frames being left 

 rough by the saw, give them an admirable support while 

 building their combs ; and they can enter the spare 

 honey-boxes -with more ease than they could mount to an 

 equal height in the upper part of a common box-hive. 



There are a few desirables to which my hive, even if it 

 were perfect, could make no pretensions ! 



It promises no splendid results to those who are too 

 ignorant or too careless to be entrusted -with the manage- 

 ment of bees. In bee-keeping, as in aU other pursuits, a 

 man must first understand his business, and then proceed 

 upon the good old maxim, that " the hand of the diligent 

 maketh rich." 



It has no talismanic influence which can convert a bad 

 situation for honey into a good one ; or give the Apiarian 

 an abundant harvest, whether the season is productive or 

 otherwise. As well might a fermer seek for some kind of 

 wheat which -will yield an enormous crop, in any soil, and 

 in every season. 



It cannot enable the cultivator, while rapidly multiply- 

 ing his stocks, to secure the largest yield of honey from his 

 bees. As well might the breeder of poultry pretend, that 

 in the same year, and from the same stock, he can both 



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