34 
HIVES. 
the combs arc thick and bad, &c.) Where will the 
queen he? With the brood-comb, where her duty is 
most likely to be ; well, this is the one we want, and 
we take it out. How is she to get back ? She must 
go back, or we have three chances in four of losing 
the stock ; but her majesty will remain perfectly easy, 
as well as some of the workers, wherever you put the 
drawer. 
FURTHER OBJECTIONS TO A SECTIONAL HIVE. 
I can see no other way but to break the box, look 
her up, and help the helpless thing home, (the chances 
of being stung may be here too.) Now, for a time at 
least, they must use the other drawer for breeding, 
where most of the cells are unfit. There is altogether 
too great a proportion of drone-cells ; these, as well 
as the other size, will nearly all be much too long, and 
will have to be cut off to the proper length, a waste of 
wax as well as -labor. Another thing might be set 
down per disadvantage of Mr. Cutting’s hive ; the job 
of getting a swarm into such hive, at first, I fancy 
would not be desirable to many. Now, when we strike 
the balance, putting expense, difficulties, and perplexi- 
ties on one side, and simplicity and economy on the 
other, it appears like a “great cry for little wool.” 
But stop a moment, four other advantages are enu- 
merated in its favor: second, third, and fourth are bor- 
rowed from the common hive, or are all available here 
when required. But fifthly, allows a “column of air 
between the drawers and outside of the hive, is a non- 
conductor of heat and cold,” &c. This is an advantage 
1 
