96 
THE niVE AND HONEY-BEE. 
As the honey-harvest, in most locations, is of short con- 
tinuance, all the arrangements of the hive should facilitate, 
to the utmost, the work of the busy gatherers Hives 
which compel them to travel with their heavy burdens 
through densely crowded combs, are very objectionable. 
Bees Instead of forcing their way through thick clusters, 
can easily pass into the top surplus honey-boxes ot my 
hives, from any comb in the hive, and into every box, 
without traveling at all over the combs. 
6. It should afford suitable facilities for inspecting, at all 
times, the condition of the bees. 
7. It should be capable of being readily adjusted to the 
wants of either large or small colonies. 
By means of a movable partition, my hive can be ad- 
justed, in a few moments, to the wants of any colony how- 
ever small ; and with equal facility be enlarged, from tune 
to time, or at once restored to its full dimensions. 
8. It should allow the combs to be removed without 
any jarring. . 
Bees manifest the utmost aversion to any motion which 
tends to loosen or detach their combs. The movable 
frames, however firmly fastened, can all be loosened m a 
few moments, without injuring or exciting the bees. 
9. It should allow every good piece of comb to be given 
to the bees, instead of melting it into wax. 
10. It should induce the bees to build regular combs. 
A hive containing too much comb suitable only for 
storing honey, or raising drones, cannot be expected to 
P 1L It should furnish empty comb, to induce bees to 
occupy more readily the surplus honey-receptacles. 
12. It should prevent the over-production of drones, by 
permitting the removal of drone-comb from the hive. 
13. It should enable the Apiarian, if too many drones 
