102 EEQUISITES OF A GOOD HITB. 



contracted or enlarged, to suit the strength of the colony ; 

 and from its peculiar shape, the bees are enabled to defend 

 it against intruders, with the greatest advantage. If any 

 prefer, however, to use movable bottom boards, the con- 

 struction of my hive can be varied to suit their notions. 



19. The bottom board should slant towards the entrance, 

 to assist the bees in carrying out the dead, and other useless 

 substances ; to aid them in defending themselves against 

 robbers ; to carry off all moisture ; and to prevent the rain 

 and snow from beating into the hive. 



20. The bottom board should be so constructed that it 

 may easily be cleared of dead bees in cold weather, when 

 the bees are unable to attend to this business themselves. 



If suffered to remain, they often become mouldy, and in- 

 jure the health of the colony. If the bees drag them out, as 

 they will do, when the weather moderates, they often fall 

 with them on the snow, and are so chilled that they never 

 rise again ; for a bee generally retains its hold in flying 

 away with the dead, 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 disad- 

 vantage, drag their dead, and all the refuse of the hive, up 

 kill. Such hives will often have their bottom boards cover- 

 ed with small pieces of comb, bee-bread, and other impu- 

 rities, in which the molh delights to lay her eggs ; and which 

 furnish her progeny with a most congenial nourishment, 

 until they are able to get access to the combs. 



22. It should afford facilities lor feeding the bees both in 

 warm and cold weather. 



In this respect, my hive has very unusual advantages. In 

 warm weather, sixty colonies may, in less than an hour, be 

 fed a quart each, and yet no feeder be used, and no risk in- 

 curred from robbing bees. 



