class of
apiarians have, on the other hand, had it more particularly in view,
to facilitate the prosecution of researches in the natural history and
economy of bees.

Then, again, amongst apiarians a diversity of opinion exists regarding
the system to be adopted in the management of the hives, whether the
bees are to be kept in single hives, caps or bell-glasses, and extra
boxes, which may be added at the top, which is called the _storifying_
system; or inserting additional room at the bottom, called _nadering_;
or whether adding boxes at the sides, called the _collateral_ system,
should be followed out; and a plan of ventilating the boxes has been
added to the last system, but experience has proved that it is utterly
useless, as in spite of ventilating tubes and thermometers, the bees
have swarmed, and the queen-bee has deposited her eggs in the collateral
boxes and destroyed the purity of the honey.

No successful plan has been yet devised to ventilate the combs where
the bees cluster; for the bees prevent the circulation of the cold air
amongst the combs by immediately forming themselves in thick rows at the
bottom of the combs; and instead of ranging the fields to gather honey
or pollen, have to collect together and idle away their time to retain
the necessary heat for the formation of the combs, or to rear their
brood.

As a single hive, Huber's leaf-hive is certainly the best; but it
requires great attention, and none but experienced apiarists can use it
for the purpose of trying experiments; but in the hands of experienced
apiarists it is invaluable. All other single hives are objectionable, as
neither the proceedings of the bees can be observed, nor the honey taken
out, without either destroying the bees, or driving them out with smoke
by which much of the brood is killed; or if rainy weather occur at the
time the bees are preparing to throw off a swarm, and the hive be filled
to its utmost limits with comb, all the bees must remain idle till the
return of fine weather for want of room.

To meet this objection, some apiarians have straw-hives with flat wooden
tops made, or use boxes, and have holes cut in them at the top, so that
small glasses may be added, when the bees require room. But this does
not prevent swarming, and besides, the flatness of the roof is
prejudicial, as it allows the moisture which exhales from the bees to
collect in the roof, and to fall in drops at different parts, to the
great inj