[ 1 | 
which the broad-crowned Hives are generally fub- 
ect. 
Upon this Account the Shape of the Hive is re- 
commended to be like an Egg, with one End cut 
off, as People order it when they are about to eat it, 
it may confift of twelve Straw-Wreaths or Rowls, _ 
according to the Bignefs of it 5 the three firft Rowls. 
of one Magnitude, and about a Foot or fomewhat 
more in Diameter, the four next above them larger, 
bellying out a little each beyond his Fellow, that 
the Combs may be more firmly faftned: ‘The other 
five by little and little areto be narrowed to a Cen- 
ter at the ‘Yop, that it may be Pyramidal. — 
Some recommend Hives that will hold.a Bufhel 
or more, yet an Half-buthel Hive will contain a 
competent Stock : However an Hive had better be 
too little than too big, for fuch are hurtful to the 
Encreafe and Profperity of Bees: If the Hive be 
too great, the Bees will be more lazy, working un- 
comtortably, becaufe they defpair ever to furnith 
and finith their Houfe ; an over-large Hive 1s pre- 
judicial to their fwarming, and therefore I have fet 
an Half-bufhel Hive as the Medium: And for the 
Jame Reafons, an Hive of one Peck Dimenfions may 
be proper for Cafts, or Swarms from thofe Hives 
that have {warmed before in the fame Seafon. 
Betore the Hive be ufed it is neceflary to rub off 
with great Care al] the {ticking Ends of Straws from 
within-fide 5 fome recommend fingeing for this Pur- 
pofe, and rubbing well with a Syth-ftone: If it be 
not fmoothed fome way. or other, the Bees are at 
incredible labour to: fmooth it with their Fangs 5 
which may be obferved in the Night, by applying 
your Ear to the Hive, and the fhort Bits and Ends 
of Straw fo cut off are thrown out of the Hive. The 
daubing the Infide of the Hive with fweet Herbs, 
Cream, or other Subftances, commonly called wi 
7 fing 
