HIVES. 
29 
to receive the bees, I could not say; but guess it 
might be some three or four dollars. 
HIVES CAN BE MADE -WITH LESS EXPENSE. 
The one I shall recommend, without paint, will not 
cost, or need not, over 37j cents, with cover, etc. 
Now, if we wish hives for ornament, it is well enough 
to expend something for the purpose ; but it is well 
not to refine too much, as there are limits which, if 
passed, will render it unfit for bees. Therefore, when 
profit is an object, the extra expense will or ought to 
be made up by the bees, in return for an expensive 
domicil. But will they do it ? The merits of the one 
under consideration are fully given. “First, by tak- 
ing out a full drawer and putting in an empty one in 
its stead, the combs are always kept new, and cells of 
full size.” Now this fear of bees becoming dwarfs in 
consequence of being reared in cells too small, has 
done more mischief among the bees, and their owners’ 
pockets, than if the fact had never been thought, or 
heard of. 
OLD BREEDING- CELLS WILL LAST A LONG TIME. 
These old cells do not need renewing half as 
often as has been represented. It is the interest of 
these patent-venders to sell rights ; this interest either 
blinds their eyes as to facts, or lulls the internal moni- 
tor of right, while acquisitiveness is gratified. The 
same cells can be used for breeding six or eight years, 
perhaps longer, and no one can tell the difference by 
the size of the bees ; I have two stocks now in their 
