INTRODUCTION. 
Ir is always usual for an author to give the public his 
reasons for introducing a new work to their attention, by 
way of preface, and inform them what he designs to do 
in his book. Following the usual custom, though the 
preface to a book is scarcely ever read by the mass of 
readers, the Author desires to say that a new Bee Hive 
patented in August, 1848, and receiving the first premium 
at the Fair of the New- York State Agricultural Society , 
in September of the same year ; combining all the advan- 
tages of most of the Hives now in use) was introduced to 
his notice for the purpose of testing its practical value, 
about two years since by the patentee, Mr O. Stoddard 
of Busti, New-York. The Author had devoted much 
time and attention to the management of Honey Bees, 
making from time to time, a variety of experiments, in 
order to secure the greatest advantages from them, in multi- 
plying laborers, and securing the results of their labor. 
He has used six different kinds of Hives, and feels confident 
that a good Apiarian can secure the most profitable results, 
and double his money expended in Bees, with a good 
Hive. That Hive which combines the most advantages, 
is the most profitable to the Apiarian, for all who have any 
experience must acknowledge that much depends upon the 
Hive, in managing Bees. The Author believing the above 
Hive to be the best in use — styled the Seef-Protectim, 
Hive — writes the following work to describe it, to com- 
mend it to the public who are interested, and also to afford 
a concise and useful manual on the management of Bees 
