94 
THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. 
in hot weather, a larger force in ventilation, than would 
otherwise he necessary. By the use of my movable 
blocks (PI. V., Fig. 17), the entrance may be kept so small, 
that only a single bee can go in at once, or it may be 
entirely closed, without the bees suffering for want of air. 
While the ventilators afford a sufficient supply, they may 
be easily controlled, so as not to injure the brood by 
admitting too strong a current of chilly air. In the 
chapter on wintering bees, directions are given for ven¬ 
tilating the hives in cold weather, so as to carry off all 
superfluous moisture. 
The construction of my hives allows of ventilation from 
above; and it should always be used, when bees arc shut 
up for any length of time, to be moved, that the colony 
may not be suffocated, by the lower ventilators becoming 
clogged by dead bees. As the entrance of the hive, may 
in a moment, be enlarged to any desirable extent, without 
perplexing the bees, any quantity of air which the bees 
may require, can be admitted; the ventilator on the back 
allowing a free current to sweep through the hive. The 
entrance may be fourteen inches and upwards in length; but 
as a general rule, in a large colony, it need not, in Summer, 
exceed four inches; while, during the rest of the year, one 
or two inches will suffice. In very hot weather, especially 
if the hive stands in the sun, the bees cannot have too 
much air; and the ventilators in the upper part of the 
main hive should all be kept open. 
