HIVES OF STRAW AND WOOD.
It is commonly supposed that bees thrive best in straw hives, because
the straw absorbs the moisture, and the combs are less liable to mould.
For my part, I can perceive no difference. The bees are careful enough
to varnish over the interior of the straw hives with a coating of wax,
or rather _propolis_, to prevent the settlement of the moths; and, in
the old hives, this varnish is so thick that no moisture can penetrate
between the cords of the straw. Wooden hives will also absorb moisture,
to a certain extent; and experience has shewn me, that it is a matter
of indifference which are employed, except as to the price, according
as either material may be more or less abundant in different parts of
the country.