134 THE BEE-HIVES. 



hives, from any comb in the hive, and into every box, with- 

 out traveling much over the combs. 



5. It should be capable of being readily adjusted to the 

 wants of either large or small colonies (349). 



6. It should allow every good piece of worker-comb to be 

 given to the bees, instead of melting it into wax, and should 

 permit of the use of comb-foundation (674). 



7. It should prevent the over-production of drones, by 

 permitting the removal of drone-comb from the hive. 



A hive containing too much comb suitable only for storing 

 honey, or raising drones, cannot be expected to prosper. 



8. It should allow the bottom board to be loosened or 

 fastened at will, for ventilation, or to clear out the dead 

 bees in Winter. If suffered to remain, they often become 

 mouldy, and injure the health of the colony. In dragging 

 them out, when the. weather moderates, the bees often fall 

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

 rise again ; for a bee, in flying away with the dead, fre- 

 quently retains its hold until both fall to the ground. 



9. 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 dis- 

 advantage, drag, up hill, their dead, and all the refuse of 

 the hive. 



10. It should afford facilities for feeding bees, both in 

 warm and cool weather, in case of need. 



11. It should furnish facilities for enlarging, contracting, 

 and closing the entrance, to protect the bees against rob- 

 bers ; and when the entrance is altered, the bees ought not, 

 as in some hives, to lose valuable time in searching for it. 



12. It should furnish facilities for admitting at once a 

 large body of air, that the bees may be tempted to fly out 

 and discharge their faeces, on warm days in Winter, or 

 early Spring (344). 



If such a free admission of air cannot be given, the bees. 



