HIVES. 
17 
pect to encourage bee-keeping, they must have better 
success than a neighbor of mine, who expended fifty 
dollars for bees and a patent, and lost all in three 
years ! Most bee-keepers are fanners ; very few are 
engineers sufficient to work them successfully. I 
would say to all such as do not understand the nature 
of bees, adhere to simplicity until you do, and then 
I am quite sure you will have no desire for a change. 
FIRST DELUSION. 
Probably the first delusion in the patent line ori- 
ginated with the idea, that to obtain surplus honey, it 
was absolutely necessary to have a chamber hive. To 
get rid of the depredations of mice, the suspended 
hive was contrived. The inclined bottom-board was 
then added to throw out the worms. To prevent the 
combs from sliding down, the lower end was con- 
tracted. 
The principle of bees rearing queens from worker- 
eggs when destitute, gave rise to the dividing hive in 
several forms. Comb, when used several years, be- 
comes thickened and black, and needs changing; hence 
the changeable hives. Non-swarmers have been in- 
troduced to save risk and trouble. Moth-proof hives 
to prevent the ravages of worms, &c., &c. 
CHAMBER riU'E. 
The chamber hive is made with two apartments ; 
the lower and largest is for the permanent residence 
of the bees, the upper or chamber for the boxes. Its 
merits are these : the chamber affords all the protec- 
