_Brooklin, Ontario._
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I never use a hive, the main apartment of which holds less than a
bushel.--_Langstroth._
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[For the American Bee Journal.]
Proper Requisites of Hives and Movable Frames.
MR. EDITOR:--There seems to be no subject connected with bee-culture so
badly mixed up, as the above. One approves of a low and long form of
hive and frames, and another of a short and deep form. Now I have seen
and used nearly all styles in use, but never saw a frame hive but what
was too deep for summer use, or too shallow for winter.
It seems to me we have been straining at a gnat and trying to swallow a
camel. I think a frame in the clear, six or seven inches deep and eleven
or twelve inches long is what the practical bee-keeper needs. But for
the careless and indifferent, fixed top bars are too good.
Perhaps few if any have experimented with and used more different styles
of hive than we have. Being a mechanic, and always having lumber and
tools at hand, we have experimented too much for our own benefit. We
have patented (like many others) one hive costing us $100; and have
never realized a dime in return. But all right; I suppose the greenbacks
are moving.
Now, Mr. Editor, I believe that the one thousand and one who are
pocketing money for improvements in hives, would be just as honest and
make more money, by picking up the farmer’s box-hive, putting the
Langstroth frames in, and teaching people how to use them
properly--selling the same on commission for Mr. Langstroth or his
agents.
But we must return to the sectional hive. Has any one ever used such a
hive? If so we have never heard of it. We use two sections deep in
winter, and from one to four in summer. We make our case twelve inches
wide, using eight frames in the brood sections, and seven in the third
and fourth sections, in which we get the greatest possible amount
stored, in good shape for the table or market. Mr. Thomas, or any one
else who thinks he has a hive that will offer so many advantages, as the
simple sectional box, with Langstroth’s frames in them, had best bring
such hive out this way; and I will agree to sell them as fast as forty
men can turn them out.
We have omitted to mention many little points, in the arrangement of the
case and frames, such as beveling to prevent propolis, securing straight
combs, &c., but will do so in a future article, if requested.