. British bee journal & bee-keepers adviser. Bees. June 18, 1914.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 241 OBSERVATIONS ON HIVES. By L. E. Snelgrove. (Continued from page 145.) The general appearance of a hive is important; the joy of bee-keeping is greatly enhanced if the apairy is com- prised only of hives that are well designed, tastefully arranged and kept scrupulously clean. Such hives add charm to the most beautiful garden, and are, therefore, a constant source of pleasure to visitors as well as to the bee-keeper. Elegance in the design of a hive may be obtained without extra expenditure. The s
. British bee journal & bee-keepers adviser. Bees. June 18, 1914.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 241 OBSERVATIONS ON HIVES. By L. E. Snelgrove. (Continued from page 145.) The general appearance of a hive is important; the joy of bee-keeping is greatly enhanced if the apairy is com- prised only of hives that are well designed, tastefully arranged and kept scrupulously clean. Such hives add charm to the most beautiful garden, and are, therefore, a constant source of pleasure to visitors as well as to the bee-keeper. Elegance in the design of a hive may be obtained without extra expenditure. The shapes and dimensions of all parts should harmonise. The legs should be of pro- portional length and thickness and suitably splayed, the length and breadth of the whole hive the same, or nearly so; the height no greater than is abso- lutely necessary; the roof a mere cap with pleasing slope; the alighting-board wide and only slightly sloped; and the porch light and of simple design. The cheaper kinds of hives are sold without legs, and some beekeepers do not object to this. Such hives, however, placed on the ground or upon pieces of wood or brick, are easily invaded by obnoxious insects, especially ants and earwigs, while moisture, which is always being drawn upwards from the ground by capillary attraction, makes them damp and unhealthy. Beekeepers who have worked hives placed on the ground certainly know what it is to have a "; This trouble may be avoided, however, if the legless hives are placed on stout rafters, which are affixed to stakes driven into the ground and made exactly level. The hives are then also level, an importa/nt point in the production of comb-honey. This plan, however, is not to be com- mended, for it is difficult to change the relative position of the hives during the summer if this becomes necessary, and unless there is considerable space and dissimilarity between them the bees visit neighbouring entrances promiscuously. I once kept an
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