LOCATION. 25 
about the base of the hive is to be protected as effectually and as thor- 
oughly as any upright joint. I know of but one hive which is con- 
structed in this thorough manner, and I know of but one hive which 
affords any real protection against the encroachments of the Bee-moth. 
This hive will be spoken of in the sequel. This will be found, in its 
practical results, to be a very different thing from the construction of a 
moth-cage, trap, drawer, or “ hot-house,” as if the great object of the 
Bee-keeper was to raise such creatures for market, or was extremely 
anxious to furnish them a lurking place and a snug warm nest, or was 
desirous to induce them to stay about his apiary ; and a very different 
thing from placing a hive over a wire screen (with a moth drawer 
beneath !), which wire net-work furnishes all the opportunity for the 
deposit of eggs which the Bee-moth could desire. All such “ fixings,” 
which furnish a place for the deposit and hatching of eggs, must gratify 
the Bee-moth exceedingly. It could ask or desire nothing better, and 
if it had the power I think it would it be disposed to remunerate the 
Bee-keeper amply for such an arrangement. I shall not in this place 
go into the merit or demerit of different plans of construction, but 
would say that whatever particular plan is adopted, the hive should be 
constructed in the thorough manner which has been alluded to above. 
CHAPTER VIII. 
LOCATION. 
A BEE-HIvE should never be exposed to the direct rays of the sun 
during the summer season, and in the winter it is to a certain extent 
injurious, especially if the hive is unpainted or is of a dark color. A 
dark-colored hive, if it is painted, or one which is the color of the 
wood, absorbs the rays of the sun and causes too much heat in the 
hive. The high temperature which is thus produced causes the Bees 
to cluster upon the outside of the hive in summer, and not unfrequently 
results in what is called “ melting down,” which is nothing more nor 
less than the soft state of the wax or comb, which falls by its own weight 
when the cells are filled with honey. A Bee-hive should be placed in. 
the open air and in the shade. The best place is under the south half 
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