REQUISITES OP A GOOD HIVE. 109 



This may be done, with my hives, in a few minutes. 

 " A stitch in time saves nine." Hives which can be thor- 

 oughly overhauled and repaired, from time to time, if pro- 

 perly attended to, will last for generations. 



50. The hive and fixtures should present a neat and at- 

 tractive appearance, and should admit, when desired, of be- 

 ing made highly ornamental. 



51. The hives ought not to be liable to be blown down in 

 high winds. 



In very windy situations, my hives may be made so low 

 that it would require almost a hurricane to upset ihem. 



52. It should enable an Apiarian who lives in the neigh- 

 borhood of human pilferers, to lock up the precious contents 

 of his hives, in some cheap, simple and convenient way. 



As my bottom boards are not movable, when a hive is 

 locked up, the contents can only be reached by carrying it 

 bodily away. 



53. A good hive should be protected against the destruc- 

 tive ravages of mice in Winter. 



It seems almost incredible that so puny an animal should 

 dare to invade a hive of bees ; and yet not unfrequently they 

 slip in when the bees are compelled by the cold to retreat 

 from the entrance. Having once found admission, they 

 build themselves a nest in their comfortable abode, eat up 

 the honey and such bees as are too much chilled to make 

 any resistance ; and fill the premises with such an abomin- 

 able stench, that on the arrival of warm weather, the bees 

 often in a body abandon their desecrated, home. As soon as 

 the cold weather approaches, all my hives may have their 

 entrances so contracted that a mouse cannot gain admission. 



54. A good hive should have its alighting board construct- 

 ed so as to shelter the bees against wind and wet, and thus 



10 



