44. It should enable a single individual to superintend the colonies of many different persons.
Many would like to keep bees, if they could have them taken care of, by those who would undertake their management, just as a gardener does the gardens and grounds of his employers. No person can agree to do this with the common hives. If the bees are allowed to swarm, he may be called in a dozen different directions, and if any accident, such as the loss of a queen, happens to the colonies of his customers, he can apply no remedy. If the bees are in non-swarming hives, he cannot multiply the stocks when this is desired.
On my plan, gentlemen who desire it, may have the pleasure of witnessing the industry and sagacity of this wonderful insect, and of gratifying their palates with its delicious stores, harvested on their own premises, without incurring either trouble or risk of injury.
45. All the joints of the hive should be water-tight, and there should be no doors or slides which are liable to shrink, swell, or get out of order.
The importance of this will be sufficiently obvious to any one who has had the ordinary share of vexatious experience in the use of such fixtures.
46. It should enable the bee-keeper entirely to dispense with sheds, and costly Apiaries; as each hive when properly placed, should alike defy, heat or cold, rain or snow. (See Chapter on [Protection].)
47. It should allow the contents of a hive, bees, combs and all, to be taken out; so that any necessary repairs may be made.
This may be done, with my hives, in a few minutes. "A stitch in time saves nine." Hives which can be thoroughly overhauled and repaired, from time to time, if properly attended to, will last for generations.
48. The hive and fixtures should present a neat and attractive appearance, and should admit, when desired, of being made highly ornamental.
49. The hives ought not to be liable to be blown down in high winds.