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 
understard 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 
hive 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 
I 
