HEVICES FOR HIVES. 
71 
special refereiieo to feeding, or wintering, or robbery, or ven- 
tilation, and a vast number with reference to getting rid of 
the moth. I doubt not that under favorable circumstances 
bees have done well in every one of them, and premiums and 
the most glowing recommendations can be had for each of 
them. But I feel more certain that under adverse circum- 
stances bees have done badly in each of them. It is not well 
to be elated by the eulogies bestowed by the mass of bee-keep- 
ers on a hive one may be interested in, nor depressed by their 
blame. For if the circumstances are good for bees they will 
do well, and people will like their hives; but if from any 
cause tbe bees do not prosper the reputation of the hive is 
in danger. Yet I am glad to know there are beginning to be 
many who arc capable of rendering a rational j udgmeut of a hive. 
Havi ngstudied the various systems of bee-keeping in this coun- 
try and in European countries, where it is more of a business 
than here ; and having for many years devoted my time most 
exclusively to the practical operations of bee-culture ; having 
had something to do with almost every conceivable style of hive, 
though I do not profess to know near all about bees that may 
be known, yet I hope that I am better capable of judging of 
the necessary qualities of a good hive than one whose knowl- 
edge is limited to that acquired from the experience of hav- 
ing kept a few hives of bees. 
Although I may be personally interested in recommending 
one hive over another I will aim to suppress all interested 
feelings while I state what I consider the requisites of a good 
hive, remembering that it would not at all likely be to my 
advantage, expecting as I do to make bee-keeping my per- 
manent business, to use myself and recommend to others any 
hive that is materially defective in any particular. The 
main object in keeping bees is profits in honey. This can 
only be best attained by keeping the bees in the most vigorous 
and prosperous condition ; as in keeping other stock we aim 
at keeping it in the most flourishing condition, and after that 
take all out of it we can. To keep anything at the lowest 
point of existence is the poorest kind of economy. 
Bees require for their dwelling a dark, dry, warm cavity. 
It must contain space enough to give the queen capacity for 
laying all the eggs she is capable of and hold honey enough 
for winter. Whatever they may make more than this the 
keeper may have ; and whatever bees they can spare over 
