I have here given in brief my views of the Italian bee, as I receive many letters of enquiry in regard to them. I base my statements on practical experience. I would advise all who wish to procure the Italian bees, to exercise great care in selecting them, and purchase only of those who are known to have pure stocks, for the best is the cheapest in the end, no matter if the first cost seems high. If the worth of the money is in the bees, the higher the price paid, the better you will be satisfied. But do not pay even a low price for inferior stock, for you will not be satisfied. [Illustration] [Illustration: Controllable Hive. Fig. I.] CHAPTER XVIII. CONSTRUCTION OF CONTROLLABLE HIVES. ON the opposite page is given Figure I. of a perspective view of the Controllable Bee Hive, with the measurements of its exterior parts. The body of the hive is made in two parts, A and B. The lower edges of the upper part B rest upon the cleats C, attached to the outside of the lower part of A, near its upper edge--as will be seen by reference to Figures I. and II. The middle board D of the bottom is loose, and is held in place by hooks E. The middle board F, at the sides of the lower part A, are loose, hinged at their lower edges, and are held in place when closed by the buttons G. In front of the lower part A, near both its lower and upper edges, are formed slots, or bee passages, H. The lower part A is divided longitudinally into three compartments by two movable partitions. The side compartments are designed to receive the honey boxes J; and the center compartment forms the brood section. To the inner surfaces of the front and rear walls of the brood section are attached boards, forming a double thickness, to secure a more even temperature, keeping out the heat in summer and the cold in winter. The grain of the inner board runs crosswise of the outer one to prevent warping. The upper edges of the inner boards are rebated out five-eighths inch square inside, to receive the ends of the comb frames of the brood section. [Illustration: Controllable Hive. Fig. II.]