122 PROTECTION, 



panes double, with a dead air space between them ; the extra 

 cost will be amply repaid by the additional protection given 

 to the bees. 



There is one disadvantage to which all well protected 

 hives of the ordinary construction, are exposed. In the 

 Spring of the year, it is exceedingly desirable that the 

 warmth of the sun should penetrate the hives, to encourage 

 the bees in early bre&ding ; but the very arrangement which 

 protects them from cold, often interferes with this. A bee- 

 hive is thus like a cellar, warm in Winter, and cool in Sum- 

 mer ; but often unpleasantly cool in the early Spring, when 

 the atmosphere out of doors is warm and delightful. In my 

 hive, this difficulty is easily remedied. In the Spring, as 

 soon as the bees begin to fly, on warm, sun-shiny days, the 

 upper part of the outside case may, for a few hours, be 

 removed, so that the heat-of the sun can penetrate to every 

 part of the hive. 



It is a serious objection to most covered Apiaries, that they 

 do not permit the hiveg to receive the genial heat of the sun 

 at a period of the year when instead of injuring the bees, it 

 exerts a most powerful influence in developing their brood. 

 This is one among many reasons why I have discarded them, 

 and why I prefer to construct my hives in such a manner 

 that they need no extra covering, but stand, in the early part 

 of the season, exposed to the full influence of the sun. I 

 have known strong colonies which have survived the Winter 

 in thin hives, to increase rapidly and swarm early, because 

 of the stimulating effect of the sun; while others, deprived 

 of this influence, in dark bee houses and well protected hives, 

 have sometimes disappointed the hopes of their owners. 

 Enclosed Apiaries are at best but nuisances : they soon 

 become lurking-places for spiders and moths ; and after all 

 the expense wasted on their construction, afford but little 

 protection against extreme cold. 



