The pipe for admitting air, should, as in the cellar before described, pass through the ground and enter the floor from below. A good cellar, well ventilated and thoroughly dry will be convenient, and should not be neglected. I would have the building but one story, with joists in ceiling above eight inches thick. Above these I would sheet with building paper, fastened by nailing strips two inches deep on top, above which I would ceil with matched boards. I should lath and plaster below the joists. The hives, which are to be kept constantly in this house, may rest on two rows of shelves, one at the floor, the other three feet high, and should be arranged for both top and side storing in the small section frames. Indeed, the hive need only consist of the two rabbeted side-boards ([Fig, 30, c]), and a division-board with quilt. The entrances of course pass through the wall. An alighting-board, so hinged as to be let down in summer, but tightly closed over the entrance during very severe winter weather, I should think would be very desirable. Between the double windows, which it will be remembered shut closely against rubber, sacks of chaff may be placed in winter, if found necessary to keep the proper temperature. With few colonies this might be very necessary. The adjacent entrances should vary in color, so that young queens would not go astray, when they returned from their "Marriage flight."
ARE THEY DESIRABLE?
As yet, I think this question cannot be answered. Some who have tried them, among whom are Messrs. Russell and Heddon, of this State, pronounce against them. Perhaps they have faulty houses, perhaps they have had too brief an experience to judge correctly. Others, among whom are Messrs. A. I. Root, Burch, and Nellis, have tried them, and are loud in their favor. I think these first trials are hardly conclusive, as perfection seldom comes in any system with the first experience. That the early use of these houses has met with so much favor, seems to argue that with more experience, and greater perfection, they may become popular. Yet I would urge people to be slow to adopt these costly houses, as enough will do so to thoroughly test the matter; when, if they prove a desideratum, all can build; whereas, if they prove worthless, we shall not have to regret money squandered, in the adoption of what was of doubtful value.
THE CASE AS IT NOW STANDS.
The desirable points as they now appear, are: First. The bees are in condition to winter with no trouble or anxiety. Second. The bees are handled in the house, and as they fly at once to the windows, where they can be suffered to escape, they are very easily and safely handled, even with little or no protection. Third. As we can extract, manipulate honey boxes, etc., right in the same house, it is desirable on the score of convenience. Fourth. As the bees are protected from the sudden rise of the out-door temperature, they will be kept from frequent flights during the cold, forbidding days of fall, winter and spring, and will thus be more secure against spring dwindling. Fifth. As the bees are so independent of out-door heat, because of the thick walls, with intervening-air-spaces, they are found less inclined to swarm. Sixth. We can lock our house, and know that thieves cannot steal our hard-earned property.
The objections to them are: First. The bees leave the hives while being handled, crawl about the house, from which it is difficult to dislodge them, especially the young bees. This objection may disappear with improved houses and practice. Second. In very severe winters, like that of 1874 and 1875, they may not offer sufficient protection, yet they would be much safer than chaff hives, as there would be many colonies all mutually helping each other to maintain the requisite temperature, and the walls might be even thicker than specified above, without any serious inconvenience. Third. Some think it pleasanter and more desirable to handle bees out-doors, where all is unconfined. Fourth. The cost of the house; yet this is only for once in a life-time, and saves providing shade, sawdust, packing-boxes, complex hives, etc.
So, we see the question is too complex to be settled except by careful experiment, and this, too, for a series of years. There are so many now in use in the various States, that the question must soon be settled. I predict that these structures will grow more and more into favor.
CHAPTER XIX.
EVILS THAT CONFRONT THE APIARIST.
There are various dangers that are likely to vex the apiarist, and even to stand in the way of successful apiculture.—Yet, with knowledge, most, if not all of these evils may be wholly vanquished. Among these are: Robbing among the bees, disease, and depredations from other animals.