176 



THE BEE-HIVES. 



"dovetailed hive.'' It is an ecoiiomicai hive, but we prefer 

 our hive with lelescoi)e cap as described. 



356. The hives should always be painted, not only to 

 make theni last, but to give them a neat appearance. No 

 dark colors should be used, as they absorb the sun's heat, 

 nor should all the hives be of the same tint (503). If the 

 joints are painted when they are put together, they will last 

 much longer. E\eiy old Apiarist well knows that the joints 

 are the first to decay. 



357. Each hive, in an apiary, should bear a number, on 



Fig. 85. 



THE Jt'MEO H3.VE. 



("Thp A B C o£ Bee Culture.") 



the liack of the In'ond ajiarlment; and this should be printed 

 in black characters, huge enough to be seen at a distance. 

 In small apiaries beu-keepers use a slate, on each hive; but 

 in large ones, where many operations are performed, it is 

 better to keep a record of the condition of the colonies, 

 and of all the operations, in a special book. 



We will add, that a hive which does nf)t furnish a thorough 

 control over every comb cannot allow of the manipulations 

 which the bee-keeper's necessities demand. Of such hives, 

 the best are those which best unite clicapness and simplicity, 

 with protection in ^Yinter, and ready access to the spare 

 honey-boxes, or supers. 



