"It is a certain fact, that the cells destined for the reception of eggs are always situated in the lower part of the hive, which is never disturbed. According to Gelieu's plan, it is only the storey above the hive that is taken, until after the brood-comb has furnished a swarm, and the swarm has taken flight.
"It seems, then, the interest of Rennes to patronize Gelieu's hives; they guard against the inconveniences of the methods now in use; and this has induced Bourdonaye to adopt the means of making them of straw, in place of wood, like those of Gelieu.
"Monsieur de la Bourdonaye's hives are a little higher priced than those in common use; but they give nearly a quarter more room, and are, of course, more profitable in regard to price; they are in the proportion of five to eight.
"We shall soon be able to determine, with certainty, the advantages to be derived from this invention. Montluc has placed some joinings, such as Bourdonaye has contrived, underneath his own hives, upon his estate of Laille. Similar ones, at different places in the faubourgs of Rennes, will furnish decided proofs of comparison.
"The preservation, and also the increase of bees, is an object of such interest to Brittany, that the peasants cannot be too much encouraged to turn their attention to it.
"The Society is well aware that it will be necessary to publish general instructions on that head, and that the greatest merit of such a work will be to give only necessary instructions, and nothing more. It must be made so simple and so cheap as to be within every one's reach, and, above all, applicable only to practical use. Any thing more is only fit for treatises wherein the authors are more occupied with the interests of their own self love, than with those of the public. But though much has been written on this subject, the Society is of opinion that there are yet observations and experiments to be made before publishing a document by which all the world might profit."
On this long quotation, I shall merely take the liberty of remarking, that the only inconvenience ascribed to the storied hives, invented and made by my Father—the only objection made to them—is, that they are too dear, "that they will cost more than a louis each; a price infinitely beyond the reach of a labouring man." The price is high in Brittany, where wood is very dear. On the other hand, the model which my Father sent to Reaumur, was made with a great deal of nicety, as a common one would not have been worth offering to that illustrious academician who sent him in return a very handsome thermometer, graduated by himself. My Father's hives, more simply wrought, were less expensive.
THE
BEE PRESERVER,
&c.