MANAGEMENT OF HONEY BEES. 129 
CHAPTER XIX 
ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HIVE. 
Hrves are found of almost all shapes and 
sizes, and of various materials, circumstances 
influenced sometimes by convenience, but 
oftener by the taste and fancy of the owners, 
In France, particularly where the culture of 
the Bee has been much attended to, the va- 
riety of hives is yery great; but with few 
exceptions, they appear to be remarkably de- 
ficient in simplicity. This is an important 
point to be attended to, both as regards the 
accommodation of the Bees, and the conve- 
nience of the Bee-master. As far as respects 
the mere collecting and storing of the honey, 
the kind of hive is but of secondary impor- 
tance. If the season be propitious, and the 
country rich in flowers, the industrious col- 
lectors will cheerfully deposit the fruit of 
their labors in any moderate sized receptacle 
that appears to afford security and shelter, 
