DOUBLE HIVES. 45 
ces at this season of the year, and in how incredibly short 
a space of time their abundant stores are collected imme- 
diately thereafter, will appreciate the advantages thus 
secured. Ifempty combs are not at hand, give empty 
frames, letting them alternate with full ones, so as to se- 
cure true, even combs. In my process of artificial swarm- 
ing, bees build all their combs true, for the reason that a 
guide is furnished them, which is a frame filled with even 
comb. On this they cluster, building the first new comb 
parallel with the one furnished them; this becomes the 
guide for the next, and so on till all the frames are filled. 
Worker combs are secured in consequence of having a 
young queen, drone comb being seldom built in any hive 
durivg the first year of the queen’s existence. 
DOUBLE HIVES. 
The Michigan Double Hive consists of two apartments, 
with entrances at the middle of each end, and gauze wire 
curtain and bee passage between the two apartments. 
In swarming artificially, this hive is to be turned one-half 
round, making the two apartments change places precisely. 
Those who keep only a few swarms may prefer the double 
to the quadruple hive, as it is more simple in management ; 
but in wintering, the quadruple has decidedly the advan- 
tage over the double hive. 
Lf the directions herein given are followed, the hive will work, 
and beekeeping prove satisfactory ; but let no one flatter him- 
self that because he has a patent hive his bees will take 
care of themselves and the improvident bee-keeper be- 
sides, and endure our long winters without honey. Bees 
- may die of starvation in any hive, however well con- 
structed. : 
