48 THE HIVE AND THE HONEY-BEE. 



perfectly see what you do, without danger, having also on a pair 

 of gloves, whereof woollen are the best." 



Some writers on bee management have suggested other modes 

 to prevent objectionable swarming, besides the collateral boxes 

 and the capped hive. Among these plans I may mention stpri- 

 fying or piling, and eking. The latter is speedily disposed of ; 

 it consists of adding ekes, or additional bands of straw to the 

 bottom of the common hive, according as additional room was 

 required. The objection is, that although it may thus answer 

 your purpose during one season, the next finds you in as much 

 perplexity as ever. 



Storifying requires some notice, as it is a custom of very con- 

 siderable antiquity, and also as it is a practice that has been ap- 

 proved by such eminent bee-masters as Warder, Thorley, and 

 more recently by Dr. Bevan. 



The principal objections to the storified hive are — 



1st, Its occasioning the bees greater trouble and labor, and 

 hence rendering their labor less productive. 



2d, The absence of provision for dividing the ordinary cells 

 from the more sacred and mysterious operations of the queen, 

 and of course a consequent deterioration of the honey in respect 

 of purity ; besides much inconvenience and waste of time to the 

 poor bees, which certainly should be taken into consideration. A 

 laden bee cannot mount up from one box to another, and through 

 a labyrinth of comb, with anything like comfort or ease. 



3d, In taking a box of honey, the proprietor cannot be cer- 

 tain of not taking away a quantity of brood-comb, &c. This 

 objection, however, may be classed with that which rests on the 

 impurity of the honey, except with the additional one, that this 

 also refers to loss of life, which the bees, both brood and adult, 

 must thus sustain. And, 



4th, In consequence of these objectionable circumstances, 

 which are the inevitable consequences of the piling system, the 

 profit accruing from such management will be far inferior to that 

 obtainable by the system I have already recommended. 



A very eminent writer on bee management says — " In piled 

 boxes bees are subjected to unnecessary labor, which is so far a 

 waste of time. From piled boxes not nearly the quantity of 

 honey and wax is procured, that may be procured from collate- 

 ral boxes ; nor is that deficient quantity of a quality at all com- 

 parable with the other. In managing piled boxes many bees are 



