bee-keeper's manual. 123 



In the foregoing case of a superfluous number of bees, 

 it is not advisable to give more room, for the reason, that 

 when we determine what is the exact size of a bee-hive, 

 we should adhere to that size in all cases. 



EFFECTS OF TOO SMALL AND TOO LARGE HIVES. 



Various are the reasons for making all hives of the 

 same size. If we make them too small, the bees are 

 more liable to perish from the effects of an unfavorable 

 winter, and from the ravages of the bee-moth, in conse- 

 quence of the weak condition of the family. The queen, 

 in such cases, as before stated, is curtailed of her neces- 

 sary room, and not as many bees will be produced ; and 

 and whatever operates as a check to the production of 

 larvae, is a fatal error in the management of bees. 



If we construct our hives too large, the bees will re- 

 quire two years to fill them ; and the natural increase 

 by swarming is much lessened, and, in some cases, en- 

 tirely prevented for a series of years. Hives of this 

 character are those made about fourteen inches in diam- 

 eter, by about fifteen or eighteen inches in length. Such 

 a size I consider to be entirely at variance with the na- 

 tural requirements of the bee. 



On the other hand, hives made about a foot in diame- 

 ter, by six or eight inches deep, or eight or ten inches in 

 diameter, by a foot in length, I consider equally fatal 

 to the prosperity of the bees. Such hives do not afford 

 the area of combs that a queen requires ; and hence, 

 she is debarred the opportunity of giving that increase, 

 that she otherwise would. Such small families do not 



