108 REQUISITES OF A aOOD HIVE. 



least to manage their colonies on the most improved plans, 

 it ought to be suited to the wants of those who from timidity, 

 ignorance or any other reason, are indisposed to manage 

 them except in the common way. 



46. It should enable a single individual to superintend the 

 colonies of many different persons. 



Many vrould like to keep bees, if they could have them 

 taken care of, by those who would undertake their manage- 

 ment, just as a gardener does the gardens and grounds of 

 his employers. No person can agree to do this with the 

 common hives. If the bees are allowed to swarm, he may 

 be called in a dozen different directions, and if any accident, 

 such as the loss of a Queen, happens to the colonies of his 

 customers, he can apply no remedy. If the bees are in 

 non-swarming hives, he cannot multiply the stocks when this 

 is desired. 



On my plan, gentlemen who desire it, may have the . 

 pleasure of witnessing the industry and sagacity of this won- 

 derful insect, and of gratifying their palates with its delicious 

 stores, harvested on their own premises, without incurring 

 either trouble, or risk of annoyance. 



47. All the joints of the hive should be water tight, and 

 there should be no doors or slides which are liable to shrink, 

 swell, or get out of order. 



The importance of this will be sufficiently obvious to any 

 one who has had the ordinary share of vexatious experience 

 in the use of such fixtures. 



48. It should enable the bee-keeper entirely to dispense 

 with sheds, and costly Apiaries; as each hive when proper- 

 ly placed, should alike defy, heat or cold, rain or snow. 



49. It should allow the contents of a hive, bees, combs 

 and all, to be taken out ; so that any necessary repairs may 

 be made. 



