186 miner's AMERICAN 



In one of the above boxes the family of bees is sup- 

 posed to be permanent residents ; and if success is to 

 crown the efforts of the owner, as I view the subject, 

 the box where the bees pass the winter, should be a 

 foot square, or near it. Some apiarians think, that a 

 certain number of inches in width will cause the bees 

 to construct a certain number of combs ; that is, a box 

 twelve and a half inches square will admit of nine combs 

 being made, whereas, one twelve inches square will only 

 afford room for eight leaves. According to the width 

 of brood-combs, and the interstices between, there is an 

 abundance of space in a box one foot square, to con- 

 struct nine combs ; but the bees will only make eight, 

 because the outside leaves are generally store-combs, 

 and thicker than those btiilt expressly to rear the larva 

 in. No more than eight combs, as a general rule, would 

 be built if the other half inch were added. I have a 

 remedy for this difficulty, which will appear hereafter. 



The English method of collateral hiving on the above 

 plan, is to have two boxes about ten inches square, and 

 to be put together with hinges on one side ; and when 

 closed, secure them by a hook and staple. The com- 



