HIVES FOR BEE-KEEPERS. 
II9 
frames, about equal to 1800 cubic inches, almost 
always sufficient, although even here circumstances 
alter cases ; the bee-keeper, by example, working one 
way when he is increasing his apiary, i.e.^ desiring 
to breed bees, and another when he has completed 
his number of stocks, and is looking for his return 
in comb or extracted honey. 
The transit of hives from the maker’s either risks 
damage or entails expensive packing. Many would 
do well to purchase in the flat, reducing not only 
risk, but prime cost and freight at the same time, 
beside which a little attention in the putting together, 
which the maker could not give, in consequence of 
the keen competition now obtaining, would triple 
the durability of the hive, and increase the interest 
of the owner. Take one example : Mr. Sproule in- 
forms me that he bores a Jin. hole, about 2in. deep? 
into the end grain of the legs of the hive stand. The 
legs are now tied together, and stood on end, when 
each hole is filled with crude carbolic acid, which is 
rapidly absorbed. Fungoid growth and consequent 
rotting are, for a very lengthened period, prevented. 
Again, in putting together the body, painting the 
abutting edges is of immense utility ; besides, the tone 
of colour may be made to the owner’s taste. For 
coolness in summer, and warmth in winter, light 
colours are preferable, because these- both radiate 
and absorb heat less than dark ones. There is a 
meaning in the whiteness of the Polar bear and 
Arctic fox. Bees have the colour sense strongly 
developed, and so they are considerably assisted in 
marking their location by variation in this respect. 
