REQTnSITES OF A COMPLETE HITE. 
107 
offered in the sliape of a patent bee-liive, as a worthless 
conceit, if not an outrageous swindle. 
So deleterious has been the influence of the so-called 
“ Improved Hives ” that, as a general tiling, only those 
who have used hives of the simplest form, have derived 
much profit from them bees. Tliey have wasted neither 
time, money, nor bees, upon contrivances which can secure 
nothing in advance of a simple box-hive, 111111 an upper 
chamber. 
A hive of the simplest possible constn'uction, is a close 
imitation of the abode of bees in a state of nature; being 
a mere hollow recejitacle, where, protected from the 
weather, they can lay up their stores. An improved hive, 
is one which contains an additional, separate apartment, 
where bees can store their surplus honey for man. ]\Iost 
hives in common use are only modifications of this latter 
hive, and, as a general rule, are bad, exactly in propor¬ 
tion as they depart from it. While they tempt the com¬ 
mon bee-keeper to ruinous departures from the beaten 
path, they furnish him no remedy for the loss of the queen, 
or the casualties to ivhich bees are exposed. Such hives, 
therefore, form no reliable basis for any improved system 
of management; and hence, the cultivation of bees, in 
this country, has declined for the last fifty years, and the 
Apiarian is as dependent as ever upon the caprices of an 
insect, which more than any of his domestic animals, may 
he completely subjected to his control. 
I ivould resjiectfully submit, that no hive which does not 
furnish a thorough control over every comb, can give that 
substantial advance over the simple improved or chamber 
hive, which the bee-keeper’s necessities demand. Of sucli 
hives, the best are those which best unite cheapness and 
simplicitt/, with protection in Winter, and ready access to 
the spare honey-boxes. 
