BEE MANUAL. 113 



some advice from a practical bee-keeper or studying some of 

 the bee literature of the day ; there is, therefore, no likelihood 

 of his being led through ignorance into the adoption of any 

 form of box hives, so that any discussion of their shortcomings 

 or -warning against their use is here unnecessary. 



Before proceeding to speak of the varieties of hives now in 

 use I will mention a few of the most important requisites of a 

 complete or ideal hive, and the reader will then more easily 

 understand much that is to follow. 



AN IDEAL HIVE. 



A complete working hive should be so constructed as to allow 

 of any and every portion of the interior being inspected at 

 pleasure with little trouble or loss of time. Its construction 

 should be as simple as possible, consistent with strength, good 

 workmanship, completeness, and durability. It should permit 

 of all necessary operations (such as removal of combs, bees, 

 brood, and surplus honey) being performed without neces- 

 sarily killing a single bee. While affording ample protection 

 from the weather, it should permit of increased or diminished 

 ventilation at a moment's notice. It should be capable of 

 being contracted, as regards working room, to the smallest 

 space required at any time for the stock, and enlarged to any 

 size that may be found necessary. The entrance should be so 

 arranged as to be easily enlarged or contracted whenever 

 required ; the hive should permit of the surplus honey being 

 stored in the best and most convenient form for depriving ; 

 and last, though not least, it should have as few loose parts 

 belonging to it as possible. 



VARIOUS FORMS NOW IN USE. 



There are various modifications of the original Langstroth 

 hjve in use at the present time, the main difference being in the 

 size. The principle is the same in all, namely, that the combs 

 are built within light wooden frames, suspended in a case, 

 which forms the body of the hive. These frames can be in- 

 serted in or removed from the hive, or made to change places 

 with each other, at pleasure ; hence the name of movable comb 

 or movable frame hives. As the size of the body is guided by 



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