DESCRIPTION OF THE HIVE OF BEVILLE. 269 



ought to be lodged in a smaller hive than the first, and the 

 third in hives still less, unless two or three be united. 



The swarm ought in general to fill a moiety of the hive 

 on the evening on which it has been hived. Thus if the 

 swarm fills but one portion or fragment, two only will be 

 required ; if it fill two, four or five, or even more will be 

 required for the early swarms, and three or four at most for 

 the late ones, because it then requires the hive to be more than 

 half filled with bees, they having less time in which to work. 

 Independently of which, there is no risk in putting rather 

 a smaller than a larger number ; because, if required, the 

 addition can be so easily made, and at all seasons. 



I make, therefore, the portions or fragments of my hives 

 of either white deaL osier, privet, or straw, from three inches 

 to three inches and a half in height, to ten or eleven inches 

 or a foot in diameter. I give the preference to eleven inches 

 within the clear, and three inches six lines in height. 



Five of these portions, a foot in diameter for the strong 

 early swarms, will make an excellent hive. Some may be 

 made of smaller dimensions, say ten inches for the late 

 swarms which are thrown off after the 20th of June, or for 

 the second swarms. 



It would be advisable not to make the hive at the moment 

 of the hiving of the swarms of more than four portions or 

 fragments, and the fifth should not be added until the month 

 of April, or the commencement of April of the following 

 year, supposing that the swarm be not very strong, in 

 which case it may be added in July. According to this 

 system, the hive is formed by degrees, and in proportion as 

 the population increases. 



It is perfectly indifferent as to the shape in which these 

 portions or fragments are made, whether square or round ; 

 to the bee itself the shape is indifferent, the great object is 

 cleanliness, which is one of the greatest virtues in the man- 

 agement of bees. 



