MillerThousand AnswersBeekeepingQuestions.pdf - BioBees

. theyTHOUSAND ANSWERS 117A. The number of colonies is rather small to deduce a generalrule; but even if you had a larger number it is not a deadopen-and-shut affair that the smaller hives are better winterers.As to that dead colony in the 10-frame hive, it's about certainthat the size of the hive cuts no figure. They had no normallaying queen and had not had one for weeks, for the dead beeswere few, and part of them were drones. We have left, then, thefour 8-frame hives, and the two. 10-frame, and you are evidently ofthe opinion that the bees in the latter two were in too poorcondition to fly, while the bees in the smaller hives flew well.Well, as there were only two of them, it might just happen thatthose two were poorer than the others. But did it never occur toyou that it might be that those two colonies did not fly becausewere in too good condition to fly? That would be my guess.December 28 the bees had not been confined very long, and thesetwo colonies were doing so well that they did not yet feel theneed of a flight. At any rate, wait until spring, and then you cantell with more certainty which has done the better.Q. Will bees go into old hives as well as into new ones whenthey have become damp inside several times, but have never beenused before?A. Yes, if the hives are sweet and clean.Q. For a beginner, which would you recommend, the 8-frameJumbo brood-chamber, or the 10-frame Langstroth?A. The 10-frame Langstroth.Q. The cuts showing how to nail dovetailed hives, nail onlyevery other dovetail. Do you think that is the best way, or shouldevery one be nailed?A. At top and bottom nail at least two consecutive dovetailsit's not so important about the central ones. I have had prettygood success by driving a nail vertically at top, and one at bottom.Q. Which hive do you recommend for a beginner, the Tri-State, Dovetailed, or Leahy telescope? Also which number offrame, 8 or 10? (I am located in northeast Missouri.)A. These all have the regular Langstroth frame, 175^x9^^, thesize to be recommended, and aside from this the particular formof hive does not matter greatly. The dovetailed has the advantagethat it is the one most generally in use. As to the numberof frames, the 10-frame is decidely better.Q. Is it not easier to cut out queen-cells in the Danzenbakerhive than in the Langstroth? I am pretty badly smitten on the