Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1870-01-07
Written for the Republican.
BEE KEEPING.
Article No. 9.

to make complete hive; without
their being at the expense of first
purchasing the right or privilege,
of using the modern "Movable
Frames''-which virtually, are the
basis ofthe entire new system, OF
bee culture--and to use them, it is
eminently necessary, that we are
first the possessor, of the right to
make and use one of the patent
hives, containing them. In buying
the right, we also receive the instruc-
tions how to make the hives, Hence
it will only be necessary for me to
point out the requisites Of q com
plete hive and let my readers judge
for themselves. In pointing out
these requisites, I do not wish to
be understood as pandering to any
particular one of the few worthy Of
attention. Nor is it my inclination
or province, to describe or particu-
larize, but as said before. let each
one judge Cor him or herself, and if
after careful scrutiny they com
mend themselves-Bay the right
and use them. But be careful that
they admit--frst, Of complete cen
tiiation: second, of simple and per-
manent construction; and lastly. Of
free and easy control Of each and
every part.
l have placed ventilation as the
first great requisite, to good hive,
for the reason that through ignor-
ance of an important fact, many lose
the labors Of the majority of their
Bees, by having their hives exposed
to the rays of the sun; and conse-
quently, the animal heat inside, be-
comes so great, as to force them to
the outside; where they may be seen
clustered idleness-not as some sup
pose-because they want to swarm,
but simply, because there are not
the'proper facilities for ventilation,
and did they not leave the combs as
they do, the entire inner structure,
would melt to a confused mass Of
bees and honey-which is some
times the case with all their care
where hives are particularly expos
ed. To meet this requirement., it is
not only necessary that there should
be openings below-as we find them
in some Of our 5reg hives-but also,
above, allowing Of free circulation,
in extreme warm weather. These
openings above, and below, should
be covered on the inside with wire
cloth, and button on the outside,
so they can be closed when not
needed. Where hives are exposed
to the weather, it would be much
better, and fully pay all extra cost,
to have them made of double walls,
with a narrow air space between !;
which, would also prove very bene-
fetal, in making them much drier,
and warmer in winter. In hives Of
this kind, the outside walls only
need be pierced with ventilators as
the current of air from lower to
upper holes, would have the effect
of keeping the inner CT main cham
ber cool enough, for all required
purposes In construction, a hive
should be Of the simplest form, yet
bear of being made highly orna-
mental This can be done, and still
have the movable frames inside of
the same size; SO they can readily
be transferred from one hive to an
another. Again, it should be so
constructed, as not to be liable to
warp, having the grain Of the wood
running one way as much as posi-
BILE thereby preserving close joints !;
which, otherwise, would open and
form safe harbors for the eggs of
the moth. In regard to the kind
of wood to use-the more porous
and spongy, the warmer in
winter, and cooler in summer, will
be your hives. A good hive can be
made from any, Of the softer species
Of wood,provided, the dlferentjoints
be.well nailed, and clamped at the
ends liable to draw or warp, and
then kept well painted. Modern
hives all have ample room for sur
plus honey boxes, and it will only
be necessary for me to say on this
point, let them be as close to the
main chamber as possible-vide a;c-
iom-the closer bees are to their
maternal head-the Queen-the bet
ter they will work.
Lastly, q hive should admit of a
free and easy control, Of every
comb, and part, and at the same
time allow of being examined, with
out disturbing the bees from their
labors. In this respect would al
ways prefer a common loose bot
tom board; for by simply raising
one side of the hive few inches
from the bottom board, an exper-
fenced bee keeper. can, nine times
out of ten, tell at a glance whether
they are healthy and prosperous or
not. Most all Of the Improved
hives could be made with a loose
board for bottom, and at the same
time reduce the cost of cOnsidera-
BILE labor and material Movable
frames should be made so as not to
fit too tight, and allow Of being re-
moved without the killing of a sim
gle bee. In closing this article l
would enjoin all my readers never
to use any but a Mocabze Frame
hive; and if it admits Of the forego-
ing requisites, steadily adhere to one
size and kind, SO that frame Of
| comb from one hive will fit all the
others in the apiary : thereby giving
the facilities of equalizing stocks,
swarming artificialiy, and many 9th
er manipulations, necessary to their