CHAPTER II 
APPARATUS 
Before discussing the phenomena observed in the activi¬ 
ties of bees, on which the practical manipulations rest, it is 
desirable that some description be given of the hives and 
equipment used in beekeeping, since frequent references 
are made to these things in the chapters dealing with be¬ 
havior as well as in those concerning the practical work of 
the apiary. Since this subject is to be introduced early, 
it seems best to complete the discussion here, except for 
certain pieces of apparatus used in special manipulations. 
Relative importance of equipment and skill. 
It is important that the relation of the equipment of the 
apiary to the needs of the bees be understood. A hive is 
not only a home for the bees but it is, especially, a tool for 
the beekeeper and, being only a tool, it is of far less importance 
in apiary management than the skill and experience of the 
beekeeper. 
By many beekeepers, especially among beginners, the 
apparatus of beekeeping is given undue importance and 
the interest aroused by the work of putting together the 
carefully manufactured supplies is really quite excusable. 
In the American literature on beekeeping the description 
of apparatus plays too prominent a part. Tools alone do 
not make the mechanic. It is therefore proposed here to 
give only a brief description of the general equipment of 
beekeeping, leaving for the chapters on special phases of 
beekeeping, the description of the apparatus used in these 
manipulations. For greater detail, the reader is referred 
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