158 ENTRANCE ADOPTED IN FRANCE AND GERMANY. 



provided with the tin entrances, the mischief was timely 

 arrested before the ruin of the hives had been accomplished. 

 In time of snow, when the bees ought not to be allowed 

 to leave the hive, but which they are very inclined to do, 

 allured by the glare of the snow, their confinement is an act 

 of indispensable necessity. A total stoppage of the entrance 

 would amount almost to a suffocation of the bees, but by the 

 application of the two perforated sliders, the confinement is 

 effected, and at the same time, a sufficient quantity of air 

 admitted for the respiration of the bees. In France, and 

 some parts of Germany, they affix an entrance 

 to the hives of the accompanying form. It is 

 made of any kind of wood not liable to warp, 

 and moves round upon a pivot in the middle. 

 Thus by turning it, they can have either three 

 entrances or one, or they can confine the bees altogether; 

 but this entrance possesses the disadvantage, that the out- 

 ward air is wholly excluded, and, consequently, the bees run 

 the risk of being suffocated. We once inspected an apiary of 

 one hundred and twenty hives at Isenburg, in the vicinity 

 of Frankfort on the Mayne, to every hive of which an en- 

 trance somewhat similar to the above was attached. On 

 arguing with the proprietor on the danger impending over 

 his bees by their too close confinement, when the entrance 

 was thoroughly closed, the only answer we could obtain to 

 our remarks was, " Es thut nichts, die Bestien haben Luft 

 genug." " It matters not, the creatures have air enough." 



To return to our immediate subject. The entrance of the 

 hive being properly closed, a sheet or table cloth must be 

 then wrapped round it, and tied in a knot at the top, through 

 which a strong pole is passed. It is then carried in that 

 manner by two men, the hindermost one keeping it con- 

 stantly steady, and no danger can then be entertained of the 

 combs breaking. When there are two or more hives to 

 move, the handbarrow is decidedly the most appropriate 



