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diff --git a/old/68269-0.txt b/old/68269-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 897ba40..0000000 --- a/old/68269-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6364 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Apiary; or, Bees, bee-hives, and -bee culture (1865), by Alfred Neighbor - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: The Apiary; or, Bees, bee-hives, and bee culture (1865) - being a familiar account of the habits of bees, and the most - improved methods of management, with full directions, adapted for - the cottager, farmer, or scientific apiarian - -Author: Alfred Neighbor - -Release Date: June 9, 2022 [eBook #68269] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Tom Cosmas compiled from materials made available at The - Internet Archive and placed in the Public Domain. - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE APIARY; OR, BEES, -BEE-HIVES, AND BEE CULTURE (1865) *** - - - - - -Transcriber Note - -Text emphasis denoted by _Italics_ and =Bold=. - - - - - THE APIARY - - OR, - - BEES, BEE-HIVES - - AND - - BEE CULTURE. - - - - - THE APIARY; - - OR, - - BEES, BEE-HIVES, - - AND - - BEE CULTURE: - - - - BEING A FAMILIAR ACCOUNT OF THE HABITS OF BEES, AND THE MOST - IMPROVED METHODS OF MANAGEMENT, WITH FULL DIRECTIONS, - ADAPTED FOR THE COTTAGER, FARMER, OR, - SCIENTIFIC APIARIAN. - - - - By ALFRED NEIGHBOUR. - - - - "Je connais beaucoup des personnes qu' aiment les abeilles, - mais ne personnes aiment les mediocrement, ils les - passionment."--Gelieu. - - - - LONDON: - - KENT AND CO., PATERNOSTER ROW - - GEO: NEIGHBOUR AND SONS, - - 149. REGENT STREET, AND 127, HIGH HOLBORN; - - AND ALL, BOOKSELLERS. - - 1865. - - - - -TABLE OF CONTENTS. - -[Illustration] - - - Preface--Introductory 1 - - -SECTION I. - - The inhabitants of the hive 2 - The queen 2 - The drone 6 - The worker bee 8 - Eggs of bees 8 - Increase of bees 9 - Swarming 11 - -SECTION II.--Modern Bee-Hives. - - Nutt's Collateral Hive 17 - Neighbour's Improved Single Box Hive 24 - Taylor's Amateur Shallow Box or Eight-bar Hive 26 - Taylor's Amateur Seven-bar Hive 27 - Neighbour's Improved Cottage 28 - Improved Cottage 31 - Ladies' Observatory or Crystal Bee-hive 32 - Cottagers' Hive for taking honey in straw - caps without the destruction of the bees 34 - Woodbury Bar and Frame Hives:-- - Wood 36 - Straw 37 - Glass 38 - Frame 39 - Improved Comb Bar 39 - Compound Bar and Frame 40 - Cover 41 - Taylor's Improved Cottage Hive 43 - " Eight Bar Straw 43 - Neighbour's Unicomb Observatory Hive 44 - Woodbury " " " 46 - Huber's Hive 50 - - -SECTION III.--Exterior Arrangements and Apparatus. - - - Bee House to contain two hives 53 - " " twelve hives 55 - " " nine hives 56 - Evening thoughts in January 56 - Exterior and interior of an Apiary 58 - Zinc Cover 59 - Ornamental Zinc Cover 59 - Cover of Zinc 60 - Bell Glasses 60 - Taylor's Glass 60 - Payne's Glass 61 - Bell Glass with lid 61 - Guide Comb for Glasses 61 - The New Bottle Feeder 63 - Round Bee Feeder 65 - Zinc Fountain Bee Feeder 65 - Nutt's Drawer Feeder 66 - Honey Cutters (13) 66 - Fumigator (11) 66 - Fumigator (12) 68 - Bee Dress or Protector 68 - Engraved Pressing Roller, for the guidance - of bees in the construction of honey-comb - on the bars 69 - Impressed Wax Sheets for artificial comb 70 - - -SECTION IV. - - Manipulation and uses of Bar and Frame Hives 73 - Putting on Super Hive 75 - Taking out Frames with Combs 76 - Artificial Swarming 79 - Driving 84 - Changing Old Stock to new Hives 86 - Weighing Hives, &c. 88 - - -SECTION V.--Miscellaneous Information. - - Stings: their Prevention and Cure 88 - Pollen or Food for Infant Bees 91 - Propolis or Bees' Cement 92 - Pasturage for Bees 93 - The Ligurian or Italian Alp Bee 95 - Living Bees at the International Exhibition of - 1862, sending Bees to Australia, &c. 100 - Bee-keeping in London 102 - Wasps and Moths 106 - Draining Honey from the Combs 110 - General Remarks 110 - On the First Flight of Bees in Spring 116 - - -APPENDIX.--Testimonials of the Press. - - Great Exhibition of 1801:-- - From the "Cottage Gardener" 119 - " "Illustrated London News" 119 - " "Express" 121 - International Exhibition of 1802:-- - From the "Illustrated London News" 121 - " "Journal of Horticulture" 121 - " "Illustrated News of the World" 122 - " "Gardener's Weekly Magazine" 123 - Bath and West of England Agricultural Show at - Exeter in June, 1863:-- - From the "Journal of Horticulture" 124 - " "Western Times" 124 - " "Devon Weekly Times" 126 - " "Exeter Gazette" 126 - Royal Agricultural Show, Newcastle, 1804:-- - From the "Northern Daily Express" 126 - -[Illustration] - - -ERRATA. - - At second line from bottom of page 23, for "cottage" read - "cottager." - - At page 30, fifth line from bottom, for "last page" read "page 25." - - At page 44, sixteenth line, for "_this_ plates of glass" read - "_thin_ plates of glass." - - At page 53, fourteenth line, read "bee hive" for "bee house." - -[Transcriber Note: Above ERRATA corrections were applied.] - - -EXPLANATIONS OMITTED. - - At page 62, "Hold the glass horizontally over the flame of the - candle." - - At page 80, "An empty hive should be placed on the stand when the - living hive is removed, for the purpose of amusing returning - bees. If the hive is kept in a bee-house, the entrance should be - shut down unto the hive is restored, when the clustered bees may - be at once admitted." - -[Transcriber Note: Above EXPLANATIONS were placed.] - - - - -PREFACE. - -[Illustration] - - - -Our apology for preparing a bee book is a very simple one. -We are so frequently applied to for advice on matters connected with -bees and bee-hives, that it seemed likely to prove a great advantage, -alike to our correspondents and ourselves, if we could point to a -"handy-book" of our own, which should contain full and detailed replies -sufficient to meet all ordinary enquiries. Most of the apiarian manuals -possess some special excellence or other, and we have no wish to -disparage any of them. Yet in all, we have found a want of explanations -relating to several of the more recent improvements. - -It has, more especially, been our aim to give explicit and detailed -directions on most subjects connected with the hiving and removing -of bees; and also, to show how, by judicious application of the -"depriving" system, the productive powers of the bees may be enormously -increased. - -We need say little here as to the interest that attaches to the apiary -as a source of perennial pleasure for the amateur naturalist. Many -of the hives and methods of management are described with a direct -reference to this class of bee-keepers; so that, besides plain and -simple directions suitable for cottagers with their ordinary hives, -this work will be found to include instructions useful for the -scientific apiarian, or, at least, valuable, for those who desire to -gain a much wider acquaintance with the secrets of bee-keeping than is -now usually possessed. We would lay stress on the term "acquaintance," -for there is nothing in the management of the various bar-and-frame -hives which is at all difficult when frequent practice has rendered -the bee-keeper familiar with them. Such explicit directions are herein -given as to how the right operations may be performed at the right -times, that a novice may at once commence to use the modern hives. -The word "new-fangled" has done good service for the indolent and -prejudiced; but we trust that our readers will be of a very different -class. Let them give a fair trial to the modern appliances for the -humane and depriving system of bee-keeping, and they will find offered -to them an entirely new field of interest and observation. At present, -our continental neighbours far surpass us as bee-masters; but we trust -that the season of 1865, if the summer be fine, will prove a turning -point in the course of. English bee-keeping. There is little doubt that -a greater number of intelligent and influential persons in this country -will become bee-keepers than has ever been the case before. - -Our task would have lost half its interest, did we not hope that it -would result in something beyond the encouragement of a refined and -interesting amusement for the leisurely classes. The social importance -of bee keeping as a source of pecuniary profit for small farmers and -agricultural labourers, has never been appreciated as it deserves. -Yet these persons will not, of themselves, lay aside the bungling and -wasteful plan of destroying the bees, or learn without being taught the -only proper method, that of deprivation. Their educated neighbours when -once interested in bee-keeping, will be the persons to introduce the -more profitable system of humane bee-keeping. The clergy, especially, -as permanent residents in the country, may have great influence in -this respect. There is not a rural or suburban parish in the kingdom -in which bee-keeping might not be largely extended, and the well being -of all but the very poorest inhabitants would be greatly promoted. -Not only would the general practice of bee-keeping add largely to the -national resources, but that addition would chiefly fall to the share -of those classes to whom it would be of most value. Moreover, in the -course of thus adding to their income, the uneducated classes would -become interested in an elevating and instructive pursuit. - -It is curious to observe that honey, whether regarded as a manufactured -article or as an agricultural product, is obtained under economical -conditions of exceptional advantage. If regarded as a manufactured -article, we notice that there is no outlay required for "labour," nor -any expense for "raw material." The industrious labourers are eager to -utilize all their strength: they never "combine" except for the benefit -of their master, they never "strike" for wages, and they provide their -own subsistence. All that the master manufacturer of honey has to do -financially, is to make a little outlay for "fixed capital" in the -needful "plant" of hives and utensils--no "floating capital" is needed. -Then, on the other hand, if we regard honey as an agricultural product, -it presents as such a still more striking contrast to the economists' -theory of what are the "requisites of production." Not only is there no -outlay needed for wages and none for raw material, but there is nothing -to be paid for "use of a natural agent." Every square yard of land -in the United Kingdom may come to be cultivated, as in China, but no -proprietor will ever be able to claim "rent" for those "waste products" -of the flowers and leaves, which none but the winged workers of the -hive can ever utilize. - -The recent domestication in England of the Ligurian or "Italian Alp" -bee adds a new and additional source of interest to bee-culture. We -have, therefore, gone pretty fully into this part of the subject; and -believe that what is here published with regard to their introduction -embodies the most recent and reliable information respecting them that -is possessed by English apiarians.[1] - -[Footnote 1: Some of our apiarian friends may be inclined to be -discouraged from cultivating the Ligurian bees in consequence of the -liability to their becoming hybridised when located in proximity to -the black bees. We can dispel these fears by stating that we have not -unfrequently found that hybrid queens possess the surprising fecundity -of the genuine Italian ones, whilst the English stocks in course of -time become strengthened by the infusion of foreign blood.] - -We are under many obligations for the advice and assistance that we -have on many occasions received from Mr. T. W. Woodbury, of Exeter, -whose apiarian skill is unrivalled in this country. Our acknowledgments -are also due to Mr. Henry Taylor, author of an excellent "Bee-Keeper's -Manual," for his help and counsel during the earlier years of our -apiarian experience. Both the before-mentioned gentlemen have freely -communicated to us their contrivances and suggestions, without thought -of fee or reward for them. In common with most recent writers on -bee-culture, we are necessarily largely indebted to the standard works -of Huber and succeeding apiarians. From the more recent volume of -the Rev. L. L. Langstroth we have also obtained useful information. -But having ourselves of later years had considerable experience in -the manipulation and practical management of bees, we are enabled to -confirm or qualify the statement of others, as well as to summarize -information gleaned from many various sources. We should state that our -thanks are due to Mr. W. Martin Wood, who has rendered us valuable aid -in the arrangement of this work. - -Let it be understood that we have no _patented devices_ to push: we -are free to choose out of the many apiarian contrivances that have -been offered of late years, and we feel perfectly at liberty to praise -or blame as our experience warrants us in doing. It does not follow -that we necessarily disparage hives which are not described herein; -we have sought, as much as possible, to indicate the _principles_ on -which _good hives_ must be constructed, whatever their outward size or -shape. All through the work, we have endeavoured to adopt the golden -rule of "submission to nature," by reference to which all the fancied -difficulties of bee-keeping may be easily overcome. In none of the -attempts of men to hold sway over natural objects, is the truth of -Bacon's leading doctrine more beautifully illustrated than in the power -that the apiarian exercises in the little world of bees. - -There are one or two literary peculiarities of this work to which we -ought to refer. It will be noticed that the numbers affixed to the -names of the various hives and utensils do not follow in regular order. -Those numbers refer to our Illustrated Catalogue, with which most -English apiarians have long been familiar, and we could not alter them -without great inconvenience. - -Some persons may consider we have used too many poetical quotations in -a book dealing wholly with matters of fact. We trust, however, that -an examination of the extracts will at once remove that feeling of -objection. - -We venture to hope that the following pages contain many valuable hints -and interesting statements which may tend to excite increased and -renewed attention to the most useful and industrious of all insects. -Although bees have neither reason nor religion for their guide, yet -from them man may learn many a lesson of virtue and industry, and may -even draw from them thoughts suggestive of trust and faith in God. - -We beg leave to conclude our preface, and introduce the subject, by the -following extract from Shakespeare,--who, without doubt, kept bees in -that garden at Stratford wherein he used to meditate:-- - - "So work the honey bees; - Creatures, that by a rule in Nature, teach - The art of order to a peopled kingdom. - They have a king and officers of sorts; - Where some, like magistrates, correct at home; - Others, like merchants, venture trade abroad; - Others, like soldiers, armed in their stings. - Make boot upon the Summer's velvet buds. - Which pillage they, with merry march, bring home - To the tent royal of their emperor: - Who, busied in his majesty, surveys - The singing masons building roofs of gold; - The civil citizens kneading up the honey; - The poor mechanic porters crowding in - Their heavy burdens at his narrow gate; - The sad-eyed justice, with his surly hum, - Delivering o'er to executors pale - The lazy, yawning drone."-- - - Shakespeare's _Henry V., Act I., Scene 2._ - - - - -THE APIARY; - -OR - -BEES, BEE-HIVES, & BEE CULTURE. - -[Illustration] - - -There are two classes of persons for whom bee-culture should -have a strong interest, and two distinct purposes for which the pursuit -may be followed. First, there is the cottager or small farmer who, -in thousands of instances, might add considerably to his income by -bee-keeping; and secondly, there is the man of "retired leisure" and -refinement, who, in the personal tendance of an apiary would find -an easy and interesting occupation, and one which could not fail to -quicken his faculties of general scientific observation. Moreover, -in contemplating the wonderful skill, industry, and prevision of his -insect artisans, the bee-keeper would find in his apiary constant -illustrations of creative wisdom. - -Amongst the humbler classes in the rural districts, the neglect of -bee-keeping is to be attributed to an exaggerated idea of the trouble -needful for the care of a few hives, and also to ignorance of the -easier and more profitable methods of modern management. Many of the -wealthier country or suburban residents, also, are averse to the -personal trouble which they fancy needful in keeping an apiary; and, -perhaps, some gentlemen are more afraid than they would like to own -of that very efficient weapon of defence with which the honey bee is -provided. But the prejudices against bees are quite unnecessary; bees -are as tractable as they are intelligent, and it is the purpose of this -little book to show that bee-culture is an easy and safe, as well as a -deeply interesting, pursuit. Possibly, also, some who do us the favour -to read our detailed explanations, will see how the rural clergyman, -or the benevolent landlord, who keeps an apiary of his own, may be -of signal service to his poorer neighbours in explaining to them the -mysteries of bee-keeping. - - -I. THE INHABITANTS OF THE HIVE. - -Every hive or bee colony comprises three distinct classes of bees, each -class having functions peculiar to itself, and which are essential -to the well-being of the whole community. As each bee knows its own -proper duties, they all work harmoniously and zealously together, for -the common weal. Certain apparent exceptions to the good-fellowship of -the bees will be hereafter noticed, but those arise out of essential -conditions in the social economy of the bee community. - -The three classes of bees are:--the queen bee, with the pupæ or embryos -intended for queens; the working bees; and the drones or male bees. - -The Queen.--Dr. Evans[2] introduces the queen bee to our -notice thus:-- - - First of the throng, and foremost of the whole, - One 'stands confest the sovereign and the soul.' - -[Footnote 2: Dr. Evans,--who may be styled the poet-laureate of the -bees,--lived at Shrewsbury, where he practiced as a physician. His poem -on bees is written with great taste and careful elaboration, and it -describes the habits of bees with a degree of accuracy only attainable -after continuous scientific observation.] - -The queen may very readily be distinguished from the rest of the bees -by the greater length of her body, and the comparative shortness of her -wings; her legs are longer, and are not furnished with either brushes -or baskets as those of the working bee, for being constantly fed by -the latter, she does not need those implements; the upper surface of -her body is of a brighter black than the other bees, whilst her colour -underneath is a yellowish brown; her wings, which do not extend more -than half the length of her body, are sinewy and strong; her long -abdomen tapers nearly to a point; her head is rounder, her tongue more -slender, and not nearly so long, as that of the working bee, and her -sting is curved; her movements are measured and majestic, as she moves -in the hive the other bees form a circle round her, none venturing to -turn their backs upon her, but all anxious to show that respect and -attention due to her rank and station. Whenever in the exercise of her -sovereign will the queen wishes to travel amongst her subjects, she -experiences no inconvenience from overcrowding; although the part of -the hive to which she is journeying may be the most populous, way is -immediately made, the common bees tumbling over each other to get out -of her way, so great is their anxiety not to interfere with the royal -progress. - -It is the chief function of the queen to lay the eggs from which all -future bees originate, the multiplication of the species being the -purpose of her existence, and she follows it up with an assiduity -similar to that with which the workers construct combs or collect -honey. A queen is estimated to lay in the breeding season from 1,500 to -2,000 eggs a-day, and in the course of one year is supposed to produce -more than 100,000 bees. This is indeed a vast number; but when there -is taken into consideration the great number required for swarms, the -constant lessening of their strength by death in various ways, and the -many casualties attending them in their distant travels in search of -the luscious store, it does not seem that the case is over stated. - -In a Glass Unicomb Hive,--which we shall hereinafter describe,--all the -movements of the queen-bee may be traced; she may be seen thrusting -her head into a cell to discover whether it be occupied with an egg or -honey, and if empty, she turns round in a dignified manner and inserts -her long body--so long, that she is able to deposit the egg at the -bottom of the cell; she then passes on to another, and so continues -industriously multiplying her laborious subjects. It not unfrequently -happens when the queen is prolific, and if it be an early season, that -many eggs are wasted for want of unoccupied cells; for in that case -the queen leaves them exposed at the bottom of the hive when they -are greedily devoured by the bees. The queen-bee, unlike the great -majority of her subjects, is a stayer at home; generally speaking, she -only quits the hive twice in her life. The first occasion is on the -all-important day of her marriage, which always takes place at a great -height in the air, and generally on the second or third day of her -princess-life; she never afterwards leaves the hive, except to lead off -an emigrating swarm. Evans, with proper loyalty, has duly furnished a -glowing epithalamium for the queen-bee:--thus. - - When noon-tide Sirius glares on high, - Young love ascends the glowing sky, - From vein to vein swift shoots prolific fire. - And thrills each insect fibre with desire; - Then Nature to fulfil thy prime decree, - Wheels round in wanton rings, the courtier Bee; - Now shyly distant, now with bolder air, - He woos and wins the all-complying fair; - Through fields of ether, veiled in vap'ry gloom - They seek, with amorous haste, the nuptial room; - As erst the immortal pair, on Ida's height, - wreath'd round their noon of joy, ambrosial night, - -The loyalty and attachment of bees to their queen is one of their most -remarkable characteristics; they constantly supply her with food, and -fawn upon and caress her, softly touching her with their antennæ, a -favour which she occasionally returns. When she moves about the hive, -all the bees through whom she successively passes pay her the same -homage; those whom she leaves behind in her track close together, and -resume their accustomed occupations. - -The majestic deportment of the queen-bee and the homage paid to her is, -with a little poetic license, thus described by Evans:-- - - But mark of royal port and awful mien. - Where moves with measured pace the insect Queen! - Twelve chosen guards, with slow and solemn gait. - Bend at her nod, and round her person wait. - -This homage is, however, only paid to matron queens. -Whilst they continue princesses, they receive no distinctive marks -of respect. Dr. Dunbar, the noted Scotch apiarian, observed a very -striking instance of this whilst experimenting on the combative -qualities of the queen-bee. "So long," says he, "as the queen which -survived the rencontre with her rival, remained a virgin, not the -slightest degree of respect or attention was paid her--not a single bee -gave her food; she was obliged, as often as she required it, to help -herself; and in crossing the honey cells for that purpose, she had to -scramble, often with difficulty, over the crowd, not an individual of -which got out of her way, or seemed to care whether she fed or starved; -but no sooner did she become a mother, than the scene was changed, and -all testified towards her that most affectionate attention, which is -uniformly exhibited to fertile queens." - -The queen-bee, though provided with a sting, never uses it on any -account, except in combat with her sister queens. But she admits of -no rival to her throne; almost her first act on coming forth from the -cell, is an attempt to tear open and destroy the cells containing the -pupæ of princesses likely to become competitors. Should it so happen -that another queen of similar age does exist in the hive at the -same time, the two are speedily brought into contact with each other -in order to fight it out and decide by a struggle, mortal to one of -them, which is to be the ruler;--the stronger of course is victorious, -and remains supreme. This, it must be admitted, is a wiser method of -settling the affair than it would be to range the whole band under two -distinct banners, and so create a civil war, killing and destroying -each other for matters with which they individually have little or no -concern: for the bees care not which queen it is, as long as they are -certain of having one to rule over them and perpetuate the community. - -After perusing the description given above of the attachment of bees -to their queen, it may be easy to imagine the consternation a hive -is thrown into when deprived of her presence. The bees first make a -diligent search for their monarch in the hive, and then afterwards rush -forth in immense numbers to seek her. When such a commotion is observed -in an apiary, the experienced bee-master will repair the loss by giving -a queen: the bees have generally their own remedy for such a calamity, -in their power of raising a new queen from amongst their larvæ; but -if neither of these means be available, the whole colony dwindles and -dies. The following is the method by which working bees provide a -successor to the throne when deprived of their queen by accident, or in -anticipation of the first swarm, which is always led by the old queen:-- - -They select, when not more than three days old, an egg or grub -previously intended for a worker-bee, and then enlarge the cell so -selected by destroying the surrounding partitions; they thus form a -royal cradle, in shape very much like an acorn cup inverted. The chosen -embryo is then fed liberally with a peculiar description of nurture, -called by naturalists "royal jelly"--a pungent food, prepared by the -working bees exclusively for those of the larvæ that are destined to -become candidates for the honour of royalty. Should a queen be forcibly -separated from her subjects, she resents the interference, refuses -food, pines, and dies. - -The whole natural history of the queen-bee is in itself a subject that -will well repay for continuous study. Those who desire to follow it, we -would refer to the complete works of Huber--the greatest of -apiarians,--Swammerdam, Bevan, Langstroth, -&c. The observations upon the queen-bee needful to verify the above -mentioned facts can only be made in hives constructed for the purpose, -of which our "Unicomb Observatory Hive" is one of the best. In ordinary -hives the queen is scarcely ever to be seen; where there are several -rows of comb, she invariably keeps between them, both for warmth and -to be more secure from danger. The writer has frequently observed in -stocks which have unfortunately died, that the queen was one of the -last to expire; and she is always more difficult to gain possession of -than other bees, being by instinct taught that she is indispensable to -the welfare of her subjects. - -The queen enjoys a far longer life than any of her subjects, her age -generally extending to four or even five years. The drones, which are -mostly hatched in the early spring, seldom live more than three or -four months, even if they should escape the sting of the executioner, -to which they generally fall victims. The worker-bee, it is now a -well-ascertained fact, lives from six to eight months, in no case -exceeding the latter; so that we may reckon that the bees hatched in -April and May expire about the end of the year, and it is those of the -autumn who carry on the duties of the hive until the spring and summer, -that being the time when the greatest number of eggs are laid. The -population of a hive is very small during the winter, in comparison -with the vast numbers gathering produce in the summer,--produce which -they themselves live to enjoy but for a short period. So that not only, -as of old, may lessons of industry be learned from bees, but they also -teach self-denial to mankind, since they labour for the community -rather than for themselves. Evans, in describing the age of bees, thus -paraphrases the well known couplet of Homer in allusion to the fleeting -generations of men:-- - - Like leaves on trees, the race of bees is found, - Now green in youth, now withering on the ground; - Another race the spring or fall supplies. - They droop successive, and successive rise. - -The Drone.--The drones are male bees; they possess no sting, -are more hairy and larger than the common bee, and may be easily -distinguished by their heavy motion, thick-set form, and louder -humming. Evans thus describes the drones:-- - - Their short proboscis sips. - No luscious nectar from the wild thyme's lips; - From the lime leaf no amber drops they steal. - Not bear their grooveless thighs the foodful meal: - On others' toils in pampered leisure thrive, - The lazy fathers of the industrious hive; - Yet oft, we're told, these seeming idlers share - The pleasing duties of parental care; - With fond attention guard each genial cell, - And watch the embryo bursting from the shell. - -But Dr. Evans had been "told" what was not correct when he sought to -dignify drones with the office of "nursing fathers,"--that task is -undertaken by the younger of the working-bees. No occupation falls -to the lot of the drones in gathering honey, nor have they the means -provided them by nature for assisting in the labours of the hive. The -drones are the progenitors of working bees, and nothing more; so far as -is known, that is the only purpose of their short existence. - -In a well-populated hive the number of drones is computed at from -one to two thousand. "Naturalists," says Huber, "have been extremely -embarrassed to account for the number of males in most hives, and -which seem only a burden to the community, since they appear to -fulfil no function. But we now begin to discern the object of nature -in multiplying them to such an extent. As fecundation cannot be -accomplished within the hive, and as the queen is obliged to traverse -the expanse of the atmosphere, it is requisite that the males should -be numerous, that she may have the chance of meeting some one of them -in her flight. Were only two or three in each hive, there would be -little probability of their departure at the same instant with the -queen, or that they would meet her in their excursions; and most -of the females might thus remain sterile." It is important for the -safety of the queen-bee that her stay in the air should be as brief -as possible: her large size, and the slowness of her flight, render -her an easy prey to birds. It is not now thought that the queen always -pairs with a drone of the same hive, as Huber seems to have supposed. -Once impregnated,--as is the case with most insects,--the queen-bee -continues productive during the remainder of her existence. It has, -however, been found that though old queens cease to lay worker eggs, -they may continue to lay those of drones. The swarming season being -over, that is about the end of July, a general massacre of the "lazy -fathers" takes place. Dr. Bevan, in the "Honey Bee," observes on this -point, "the work of the drones being now completed, they are regarded -as useless consumers of the fruits of others' labour, love is at once -converted into hate, and a general proscription takes place. The -unfortunate victims evidently perceive their danger, for they are -never, at this time, seen resting in one place, but darting in and -out of the hive with the utmost precipitation, as if in fear of being -seized." - -Their destruction is thought, by some, to be caused by their being -harassed until they quit the hive; but Huber says he ascertained that -the death of the drones was caused by the stings of the workers. -Supposing the drones come forth in May, which is the average period -of their being hatched, their destruction takes place somewhere about -the commencement of August, so that three months is the usual extent -of their existence; but should it so happen that the usual development -of the queen has been retarded, or that the hive has in any case -been deprived of her, the massacre of the drones is deferred. But in -any case, the natural term of the life of drone bees does not exceed -four months, so that they are all dead before the winter, and are not -allowed to be useless consumers of the general store. - -The Worker Bee.--The working bees form, by far, the most -numerous class of the three kinds contained in the hive, and least of -all require description. They are the smallest of the bees, are dark -brown in colour or nearly black, and much more active on the wing than -are either drones or queens. The usual number in a healthy hive varies -from twelve to thirty thousand; and, previous to swarming, exceeds the -larger number. The worker-bee is of the same sex as the queen, but is -only partially developed. Any egg of a worker-bee,--by the cell being -enlarged, as already described, and the "royal jelly" being supplied -to the larva,--may be hatched into a mature and perfect queen. This, -one of the most curious facts connected with the natural history of -bees, may be verified in any apiary by most interesting experiments, -which may be turned to important use. With regard to the supposed -distinctions between "nursing" and working bees, it is now agreed that -it only consists in a division of labour,--the young workers staying -at home to feed the larvæ until they are themselves vigorous enough -to range the fields in quest of supplies. But, for many details of -unfailing interest, we must again refer our readers to the standard -works on bees that have already been named. - -The Eggs of Bees.--It is necessary that some explanation -should be given as to the existence of the bee before it emerges from -the cell. - -The eggs of all the three kinds of bees when first deposited are of an -oval shape, and of a bluish-white colour. In four or five days the egg -changes to a worm, and in this stage is known by the names of larva -or grub, in which state it remains four to six days more; during this -period it is fed by the nurse-bees with a mixture of farina and honey, -a constant supply of which is given to it: the next transformation is -to the nymph or pupa form; the nurse-bees now seal up the cell with a -preparation similar to wax; and then the pupa spins round itself -a film or cocoon, just as a silkworm does in its chrysalis state. The -microscope shows that this cradle-curtain is perforated with very -minute holes, through which the baby-bee is duly supplied with air. No -further attention on the part of the bees is now requisite except a -proper degree of heat, which they take care to keep up, a position for -the breeding cells being selected in the centre of the hive where the -temperature is likely to be most congenial. - -Twenty-one days after the egg is first laid (unless cold weather should -have retarded it) the bee quits the pupa state, and nibbling its way -through the waxen covering that has enclosed it, comes forth a winged -insect. In the Unicomb Observatory Hive, the young bees may distinctly -be seen as they literally fight their way into the world, for the other -bees do not take the slightest notice, nor afford them any assistance. -We have frequently been amused in watching the eager little new-comer, -now obtruding its head, and anon compelled to withdraw into the cell, -to escape being trampled on by the apparently unfeeling throng, until -at last it has succeeded in making its exit. The little grey creature, -after brushing and shaking itself, enters upon its duties in the hive, -and in a day or two may be seen gathering honey in the fields--some -say on the day of its birth,--thus early illustrating that character -for industry, which has been proverbial, at least, since the days of -Aristotle, and which has in our day been rendered familiar even to -infant minds through the nursery rhymes of Dr. Watts. - -Increase of Bees.--Every one is familiar with the natural -process of "swarming," by which bees provide themselves with fresh -space and seek to plant colonies to absorb their increase of -population. But the object of the bee-master is to train and educate -his bees, and in so doing he avoids much of the risk and trouble which -is incurred by allowing the busy folk to follow their own devices. The -various methods for this end adopted by apiarians all come under the -term of the "depriving" system; and they form part of the great object -of humane and economical bee-keeping, which is to save the bees alive -instead of slaughtering them as under the old clumsy system. A very -natural question is often asked,--how it is that upon the depriving -system, where our object is to prevent swarming, the increase of -numbers is not so great as upon the old plan? It will be seen that the -laying of eggs is performed by the queen only, and that there is but -one queen to each hive; so that where swarming is prevented, there -remains only one hive or stock, as the superfluous princesses are not -allowed to come to maturity. Our plan of giving additional store-room -will, generally speaking, prevent swarming; this stay-at-home policy, -we contend, is an advantage, for instead of the loss of time consequent -upon a swarm hanging out preparatory to flight, all the bees are -engaged in collecting honey, and that at a time when the weather is -most favourable and the food most abundant. Upon the old system, the -swarm leaves the hive simply because the dwelling has not been enlarged -at the time when the bees are increasing. The emigrants are always led -off by the old queen, leaving either young or embryo queens to lead off -after swarms, and to furnish a mistress for the old stock, and carry -on the multiplication of the species. Upon the antiquated and inhuman -plan where so great a destruction takes place by the brimstone match, -breeding must, of course, be allowed to go on to its full extent to -make up for such sacrifices. Our chief object under the new system is -to obtain honey free from all extraneous matter. Pure honey cannot be -gathered from combs where storing and breeding are performed in the -same compartment. For fuller explanations on this point, we refer to -the various descriptions of our improved hives in a subsequent section -of this work. - -There can now be scarcely two opinions as to the uselessness of the -rustic plan of immolating the poor bees after they have striven through -the summer so to "improve each shining hour." The ancients in Greece -and Italy took the surplus honey and spared the bees, and now for every -intelligent bee-keeper there are ample appliances wherewith to attain -the same results. Mr. Langstroth quotes from the German the following -epitaph which, he says, "might be properly placed over every pit of -brimstoned bees:"-- - - Here Rests, - - CUT OFF FROM USEFUL LABOUR, - - A COLONY OF - - INDUSTRIOUS BEES, - - BASELY MURDERED - - BY ITS - - UNGRATEFUL AND IGNORANT OWNER. - - -And Thomson, the poet of "The Seasons," has recorded an eloquent poetic -protest against the barbarous practice, for which, however, in his day -there was no alternative:-- - - All, see, where robbed and murdered in that pit, - Lies the still heaving hive! at evening snatched, - Beneath the cloud of guilt-concealing night, - And fix'd o'er sulphur! while, not dreaming ill, - The happy people, in their waxen cells, - Sat tending public cares. - Sudden, the dark, oppressive steam ascends. - And, used to milder scents, the tender race. - By thousands, tumble from their honied dome - Into a gulf of blue sulphureous flame! - -It will be our pleasing task in subsequent chapters to show "a more -excellent way." - - -SWARMING. - -The spring is the best period at which to open an apiary, and -swarming-time is a good starting point for the new bee-keeper. The -period known as the swarming season is during the months of May and -June. With a very forward stock, and in exceedingly fine weather, bees -do occasionally swarm in April. The earlier the swarm the greater is -its value. If bees swarm in July, they seldom gather sufficient to -sustain themselves through the winter; though, by careful feeding, they -may easily be kept alive, if hived early in the month. - -The cause of a swarm leaving the stock-hive is, that the population has -grown too large for it. Swarming is a provision of nature for remedying -the inconvenience of overcrowding, and is the method whereby the bees -seek for space in which to increase their stores. By putting on "super -hives," the required relief may, in many cases, be given to them; but -should the multiplication of stocks be desired, the bee-keeper will -defer increasing the space until the swarm has issued forth. In May, -when the spring has been fine, the queen-bee is very active in laying -eggs, and the increase in a strong healthy hive is so prodigious that -emigration is necessary, or the bees would cease to work. - -It is now a well established fact that the old queen goes forth with -the first swarm, preparation having been made to supply her place as -soon as the bees determine upon the necessity of a division of their -commonwealth. Thus the sovereignty of the old hive, after the first -swarm has issued, devolves upon a young queen. - -As soon as the swarm builds combs in its new abode, the emigrant-queen, -being impregnated and her ovaries full, begins laying eggs in the -cells, and thereby speedily multiplies the labourers of the new -colony. Although there is now amongst apiarians no doubt that the old -queen quits her home, there is no rule as to the composition of the -swarm--old and young alike depart. Some show unmistakable signs of age -by their ragged wings, others their extreme youth by their lighter -colour; how they determine which shall stay and which shall go has not -yet been ascertained. In preparation for flight, bees commence filling -their honey bags, taking sufficient, it is said, for three days' -sustenance. This store is needful, not only for food, but to enable -the bees to commence the secretion of wax and the building of combs in -their new domicile. - -On the day of emigration the weather must be fine, warm, and clear, -with but little wind stirring; for the old queen, like a prudent -matron, will not venture out unless the day is in every way favorable. -Whilst her majesty hesitates, either for the reasons we have mentioned, -or because the internal arrangements are not sufficiently matured, the -bees will often fly about or hang in clusters at the entrance of the -hive for two or three days and nights together, all labour meanwhile -being suspended. The agitation of the little folk is well described by -Evans:-- - - See where, with hurried step, the impassioned throng - Pace o'er the hive, and seem, with plaintive song, - T' invite the loitering queen; now range the floor, - And hang in cluster'd columns from the door; - Or now in restless rings around they fly, - Nor spoil thy sip, nor load the hollowed thigh; - E'en the dull drone his wonted ease gives o'er, - Haps his unwieldly wings, and longs to soar. - -But when all is ready, a scene of the most violent agitation takes -place; the bees rush out in vast numbers, forming quite a dark cloud as -they traverse the air. - -The time selected for the departure of the emigrants is generally -between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; most swarms come off within an hour of -noon. It is a very general remark that bees choose a Sunday for -swarming, and probably this is because then greater stillness reigns -around. It will not be difficult to imagine that the careful bee-keeper -is anxious to keep a strict watch, lest he should lose such a treasure -when once it takes wing. The exciting scene at a bee-swarming has been -well described by the apiarian laureate:-- - - Up mounts the chief, and, to the cheated eye, - Ten thousand shuttles dart along the sky; - As swift through æther rise the rushing swarms, - Gay dancing to the beam their sunbright forms; - And each thin form, still lingering on the sight. - Trails as it shoots, a line of silver light. - High poised on buoyant wing, the thoughtful queen, - In gaze attentive, views the varied scene, - And soon her far-fetched ken discerns below; - The light laburuam lift her polished brow. - Wave her green leafy ringlets o'er the glade. - Swift as the falcon's sweep, the monarch bends - Her flight abrupt; the following host descends - Round the fine twig, like clustered grapes they close - In thickening wreaths, and court a short repose. - -In many country districts it is a time-honoured custom for the good -folks of the village to commence on such occasions a terrible noise -of tanging and ringing with frying pan and key. This is done with -the absurd notion that the bees are charmed with the clangorous din, -and may by it be induced to settle as near as possible to the source -of such sweet sounds. This is, however, quite a mistake; there are -other and better means for the purpose. The practice of ringing was -originally adopted for a different and far more sensible object, -viz., for the purpose of giving notice that a swarm had issued forth, -and that the owner was anxious to claim the right of following, even -though it should alight on a neighbour's premises. It would DC curious -to trace how this ancient ceremony has thus got corrupted from the -original design. - -In case the bees do not speedily after swarming manifest signs of -settling, a few handfuls of sand or loose mould may be thrown up in the -air so as to fall among the winged throng; they mistake this for rain, -and then very quickly determine upon settling. Some persons squirt a -little water from a garden engine in order to produce the same effect. - -There are, indeed, many ingenious devices used by apiarians for -decoying the swarms. Mr. Langstroth mentions a plan of stringing dead -bees together, and tying a bunch of them on any shrub or low tree upon -which it is desirable that they should alight; another plan is, to -hang some black woven material near the hives, so that the swarming -bees may be led to suppose they see another colony, to which they will -hasten to attach themselves. Swarms have a great affinity for each -other when they are adrift in the air; but, of course, when the union -has been effected, the rival queens have to do battle for supremacy. A -more ingenious device than any of the above, is by means of a mirror to -flash a reflection of the sun's rays amongst a swarm, which bewilders -the bees, and checks their flight. It is manifestly often desirable -to use some of these endeavours to induce early settlement, and to -prevent, if possible, the bees from clustering in high trees or under -the eaves of houses, where it may be difficult to hive them. - -Should prompt measures not be taken to hive the bees as soon as the -cluster is well formed, there is danger of their starting on a second -flight; and this is what the apiarian has so much to dread. If the bees -set off a second time, it is generally for a long flight, often for -miles, so that in such a case it is usually impossible to follow them, -and consequently a valuable colony may be irretrievably lost. - -Too much care cannot be exercised to prevent the sun's rays falling -on a swarm when it has once settled. If exposed to heat in this way, -bees are very likely to decamp. We have frequently stretched matting or -sheeting on poles so as to intercept the glare, and thus render their -temporary position cool and comfortable. - -Two swarms sometimes depart at the same time and join together; in such -a case, we recommend that they be treated as one by putting them into a -hive as before described, taking care to give abundant room, and not to -delay affording access to the super hive or glasses. They will settle -their own notions of sovereignty by one queen destroying the other. -There are means of separating two swarms if done at the time; but the -operation is a formidable one, and does not always repay even those -most accustomed to such manipulation. - -With regard to preparations for taking a swarm, our advice to the -bee-keeper must be the reverse of Mrs. Glass's notable injunction as -to the cooking of a hare. Some time before you expect to take a swarm, -be sure to have a proper hive in which to take it, and also every -other requisite properly ready. Here we will explain what was said -in the introduction as to the safety of moving and handling bees. A -bee-veil or dress will preserve the most sensitive from the possibility -of being stung. This article, which may be bought with the hives, is -made of net close enough to exclude bees, but open enough for the -operator's vision. It is made to go over the hat of a lady or cap of a -gentleman; it can be tied round the waist, and has sleeves fastening at -the wrist. A pair of photographer's india rubber gloves completes the -full dress of the apiarian, who is then invulnerable even to enraged -bees. But bees when swarming are in an eminently peaceful frame of -mind; having dined sumptuously, they require to be positively provoked -before they will sting. Yet there may be one or two foolish bees who, -having neglected to fill their honey bags, are inclined to vent their -ill-humour on the kind apiarian. When all is ready, the new hive is -held or placed in an inverted position under the cluster of bees, which -the operator detaches from their perch with one or two quick shakes; -the floorboard is then placed on the hive, which is then slowly turned -up on to its base, and it is well to leave it a short time in the same -place, in order to allow of stragglers joining their companions. - -If the new swarm is intended for transportation to a distance, it is -as well for it to be left at the same spot until evening, provided the -sun is shaded from it: but if the hive is meant to stand in or near -the same garden, it is better to remove it within half an hour to its -permanent position, because so eager are newly-swarmed bees for pushing -forward the work of furnishing their empty house, that they sally forth -at once in search of materials. - -A swarm of bees in their natural state contains from 10,000 to 20,000 -insects, whilst in an established hive they number 40,000 and upwards. -5,000 bees are said to weigh one pound; a good swarm will weigh from -three to five pounds. We have known swarms not heavier than 2½ pounds, -that were in very excellent condition in August as regards store for -the winter. - -Hitherto, all our remarks have had reference to first or "prime" -swarms; these are the best, and when a swarm is purchased such should -be bargained for. - -Second swarms, known amongst cottage bee-keepers as "casts," usually -issue from the hive nine or ten days after the first has departed. -It is not always that a second swarm issues, so much depends on the -strength of the stock, the weather, and other causes; but should the -bees determine to throw out another, the first hatched queen in the -stock-hive is prevented by her subjects from destroying the other -royal princesses, as she would do if left to her own devices. The -consequence is that, like some people who cannot have their own way, -she is highly indignant; and when thwarted in her purpose, utters, in -quick succession, shrill, angry sounds, much resembling "_peep, peep_," -commonly called "piping," but which more courtly apiarians have styled -the _vox regalis_. - -This royal wailing continues during the evening, and is sometimes so -loud as to be distinctly audible many yards from the hive. When this is -the case, a swarm may be expected either on the next day, or at latest -within three days. The second swarm is not quite so chary of weather as -the first; it was the old lady who exercised so much caution, disliking -to leave home except in the best of summer weather. - -In some instances, owing to favourable breeding seasons and prolific -queens, a third swarm issues from the hive, this is termed a "colt;" -and in remarkable instances, even a fourth, which in rustic phrase is -designated a "filly." A swarm from a swarm is called a "maiden" swarm, -and according to bee theory, will again have the old queen for its -leader. - -The bee-master should endeavour to prevent his labourers from swarming -more than once; his policy is rather to encourage the industrious -gathering of honey by keeping a good supply of "supers" on the hives. -Sometimes, however, he may err in putting on the supers too early or -unduly late, and the bees will then swarm a second time, instead of -making use of the store-rooms thus provided. In such a case, the clever -apiarian, having spread the swarm on the ground, will select the queen, -and cause the bees to go back to the hive from whence they came. This -operation requires an amount of apiarian skill which, though it may -easily be attained, is greater than is usually possessed. - - - - -II. MODERN BEE HIVES. - - -NUTT'S COLLATERAL HIVE. No. 1. - -The late Mr. Nutt, author of "Humanity to Honey Bees," may be -regarded as a pioneer of modern apiarians; we therefore select his -hive wherewith to begin a description of those we have confidence in -recommending. Besides, an account of Mr. Nutt's hive will necessarily -include references to the various principles which subsequent inventors -have kept in view. - -[Illustration] - -Nutt's Collateral Hive consists of three boxes placed side by side (C. -A. C), with an octagonal box B on the top which covers a bell-glass. -Each of the three boxes is 9 inches high, 9 inches wide, and 11 -inches from back to front; thin wooden partitions,--in which six or -seven openings corresponding with each other are made--divide these -compartments, so that free access from one box to the other is afforded -to the bees; this communication is stopped when necessary by a zinc -slide passing down between each box. The octagonal cover B is about 10 -inches in diameter and 20 high, including the sloping octagonal roof, -surmounted with an acorn as a finish. There are two large windows in -each of the end boxes, and one smaller one in the centre box; across -the latter is a thermometer scaled and marked, so as to be an easy -guide to the bee-master, showing him by the rise in temperature the -increased accommodation required. This thermometer is a fixture, the -indicating part being protected by two pieces of glass, to prevent the -bees from coming between it and the window, and thereby obstructing the -view. - -D D are ventilators. In the centre of each of the end boxes is a -double zinc tube reaching down a little below the middle, the outer -tube is a casing of plain zinc, with holes about a quarter of an inch -wide dispersed over it; the inside one is of perforated zinc, with -openings so small as to prevent the escape of the bees, a flange or -rim keeps the tubes suspended through a hole made to receive it. The -object in having double tubing, is to allow the inner one to be drawn -up and the perforations to be opened by pricking out the wax, or rather -the propolis, with which bees close all openings in their hives. These -tubes admit a thermometer enclosed in a cylindrical glass, to be -occasionally inserted during the gathering season; it requires to be -left in the tube for about a quarter of an hour; and on its withdrawal, -if found indicating 90 degrees or more, ventilation must be adopted to -lower the temperature--the ornamental zinc top D must be left raised, -and is easily kept in that position by putting the perforated part a -little on one side. - -The boxes before described are placed on a raised double floor-board, -extending the whole length, viz., about 36 inches. The floor-board -projects a few inches in front. In the centre is the entrance;--as our -engraving only shows the back of the hive, we must imagine it on the -other side,--it is made by cutting a sunken way of about half-an-inch -deep and 3 inches wide, in the floor-board communicating only with -the middle box; it is through this entrance alone that the bees find -their way into the hive,--access to the end boxes and the super -being obtained from the inside. An alighting board is fitted close -under the entrance for the bees to settle upon when returning laden -with honey; this alighting board is removable for the convenience of -packing. The centre, or stock-box, A, called by Mr. Nutt the Pavilion -of Nature, is the receptacle for the swarm; for stocking this, it will -be necessary to tack the side tins so as to close the side openings -in the partition, and to tack some perforated zinc over the holes at -top; the swarm may then be hived into it just the same as with a common -hive. A temporary bottom-board may be used if the box has to be sent -any distance; or a cloth may be tied round to close the bottom (the -latter plan is best, because allowing plenty of air), and when brought -home at night, the bees being clustered at the top, the cloth or -temporary bottom must be removed, and the box gently placed on its own -floor-board, and the hive set in the place it is permanently to occupy. -E E are two block fronts which open with a hinge, a semicircular hole -3 inches long, 2 wide in the middle, is cut in the upper bottom-board -immediately under the window of each box; these apertures are closed by -separate perforated zinc slides; these blocks, when opened, afford a -ready means of reducing the temperature of the side boxes, a current of -air being quickly obtained, and are also useful for allowing the bees -to throw out any refuse. - -The centre F is a drawer in which is a feeding trough, so constructed -that the bees can descend through the opening before mentioned on -to a false bottom of perforated zinc; liquid food is readily poured -in by pulling out the drawer a little way, the bees come down on to -the perforated zinc and take the food by inserting their proboscis -through the perforations, with no danger of being drowned. Care must be -exercised that the food is not given in such quantity as to come above -the holes; by this means, each hive has a supply of food accessible -only to the inmates, with no possibility, when closely shut in, of -attracting robber bees from other hives. - -The exterior of these hives is _well_ painted with two coats of lead -colour, covered with two coats of green, and varnished. Notwithstanding -this preservation, it is absolutely essential to place such a hive -under a shed or cover of some sort, as the action of the sun and rain -is likely to cause the wood to decay, whilst the extreme heat of a -summer sun might cause the combs to fall from their foundations. - -Neat and tasteful sheds may be erected, either of zinc supported by -iron or wooden rods, or a thatched roof may be supported in the same -manner, and will form a pretty addition to the flower garden. - -When erecting a covering, it will be well to make it a foot or two -longer, so as to allow of a cottage hive on either side, as the -appearance of the whole is much improved by such an arrangement. - -The following directions, with some adaptation, are from "Nutt on Honey -Bees:"-- - -In the middle box the bees are to be first placed;--in it they should -first construct their beautiful combs, and under the government of -one sovereign--the mother of the hive--carry on their curious work, -and display their astonishing architectural ingenuity. In this box, -the _regina_ of the colony, surrounded by her industrious, happy, -humming subjects, carries on the propagation of her species, deposits -in the cells prepared for the purpose by the other bees, thousands of -eggs, though she seldom deposits more than one egg in a cell at a -time: these eggs are nursed up into a numerous progeny by the other -inhabitants of the hive. It is at this time, when hundreds of young -bees are daily coming into existence, that the collateral boxes are -of the utmost importance--both to the bees domiciled in them, and to -their proprietors; for when the brood become perfect bees in a common -cottager's hive, a swarm is the necessary consequence. The queen, -accompanied by a vast number of her subjects, leaves the colony, -and seeks some other place in which to carry on the work nature has -assigned her. But as swarming may by proper precaution and attention -to this mode of management generally be prevented, it is good practice -to do so; because the time necessarily required to establish a new -colony, even supposing the cottager succeeds in saving the swarm, -would otherwise be employed in collecting honey, and in enriching the -old hive. Here, then, is one of the features of this plan--viz., _the -prevention of swarming_. When symptoms of swarming begin to present -themselves, which may be known by an unusual noise, the appearance -of more than common activity among the bees in the middle box, and, -above all, by a sudden rise of temperature, which will be indicated -by the quicksilver in the thermometer rising to 75 degrees as scaled -on the thermometer in the box; when these symptoms are apparent, the -bee master may conclude that additional space is required. The top -sliding tin should now be withdrawn from under the bell glass, which -will open to the bees a new store-room; this they will soon occupy, and -fill with combs and honey of pure whiteness, if the weather be fine to -allow of their uninterrupted labour. It may be well here to mention, -that if the glass have a small piece of clean worker comb attached to -the perforated ventilating tube, the bees will more speedily commence -their operations in it. When the glass is nearly filled, which in a -good season will be in a very short space of time, the bees will again -require increased accommodation; this will also be indicated by the -thermometer further rising to 85; the end box, as thereon marked, -must now be given them. Previously to drawing up a slide to enlarge -their crowded house, the manager should take off the empty end box -he intends to open to them, carefully and thoroughly cleanse it, and -then smear or dress the inside of it with a little liquid honey. Thus -prepared, he must return the box to its proper situation, and then -withdraw the sliding tin that hitherto has cut it off from the middle -box; by so doing the store-room is again enlarged. The bees will -commence operations in this new apartment. This simple operation, done -at the proper time, generally prevents swarming; by it, the queen -gains a vast addition to her dominions, and, consequently, increasing -space for the multiplying population of her domicile. Provided the -weather continue fine, and the thermometer has risen to 95 degrees, as -marked on the scale, the remaining tin may be also withdrawn, thereby -giving the bees, admittance to another box; there is now no lack of -store-rooms nor of employment for our indefatigable labourers. The -cylinder thermometer is required to be occasionally dropped into the -ventilating tube of the side boxes to ascertain their temperature; for -if exceeding or approaching that of the middle box, it must be reduced -by ventilating; this is done by raising the zinc tops, to allow the air -to pass through the perforations. The grand object of this system is -to keep the end boxes and the bell glass cooler than the pavilion or -middle box, so as to induce the queen to propagate her species there -and there only, and not in the depriving part of the hive; by this -means the side and upper combs are in no way discoloured by brood. The -queen requires a considerable degree of warmth; the middle box does not -require more ventilation than the additional openings afford. The bees -enjoy coolness in the side boxes, and thereby the whiteness and purity -of the luscious store are increased. - -After having given directions for the working of the hive, it remains -to be told how to obtain possession of the store, and to get rid of -our industrious tenants from the super and end boxes, of which the -super glass will be almost sure to be filled first, having been first -given to them. The operation of taking honey is best performed in the -middle of a fine sunny day. The best mode that we know of is to pass -an ordinary table-knife all round underneath the rim of the glass to -loosen the cement, properly called propolis; then take a piece of -fine wire, or a piece of string will do, and, having hold of the two -ends, draw it under the glass very slowly, so as to allow the bees -to get out of the way. Having brought the string through, the glass -is now separated from the hive; but it is well to leave the glass in -its place for an hour or so, the commotion of the bees will then have -subsided; and another advantage we find is, that the bees suck up the -liquid and seal up the cells broken by the cutting off. You can then -pass underneath the glass two pieces of tin or zinc; the one may be -the proper slide to prevent the inmates of the hive coming out at -the apertures, the other tin keeps all the bees in the glass close -prisoners. After having been so kept a short time, the apiarian must -see whether the bees in the glass manifest symptoms of uneasiness, -because if they do not, it may be concluded that the queen is among -them. In such a case, replace the glass, and recommence the operation -on a future day. It is not often that her majesty is in the depriving -hive or glass; but this circumstance does sometimes happen, and -the removal at such a time must be avoided. When the bees that are -prisoners run about in great confusion and restlessness, the operator -may then conclude that the queen is absent, and that all is right. -The glass may be taken away a little distance off, and placed in a -flower-pot or other receptacle where it will be safe when inverted and -the tin taken away, then the bees will be glad to make their escape -back to their hive. A little tapping at the sides of the glass will -render their tarriance uncomfortable, and the glass may then be taken -into a darkened room or out-house with only a small aperture admitting -light which must be open; the bees, like all insects, make towards -the light and so escape. The bee-master should brush them off with a -feather from the comb as they can be reached; but on no account, if -there are many bees, should the glass be left, because the bees that -are in the glass will gorge themselves to their full and speedily bring -a host of others from the adjacent hives, who, in a very little time, -would leave only the empty combs. It is truly marvellous how soon they -will carry all the store back again, if allowed to do so. An empty -glass should be put on to the hive in place of the full one, as it will -attract the bees up, thereby preventing the too close crowding of the -hive; and, if the summer be not too far advanced, they will work more -honey-comb in it. - -The taking away of the end boxes is a somewhat similar process; but -they should on no account be taken at the same time as the glass, or -indeed at the same time as any other hive may be--_robbed_ we were -going to say, for it is robbery to the bees,--they intended the honey -for their winter food, and are much enraged at being deprived of it. -First shut down the dividing tin; the bees in the end box are now -prisoners separated from the hive, keep them so half an hour, then take -away the box bodily to another part of the garden, or into the dark -out-house as before recommended. - -It may not be out of place here to say something respecting the -enthusiastic inventor of the Collateral Hive--Thomas Nutt, who was -an inhabitant of Spalding, in Lincolnshire. Having been disabled -during a considerable period by rheumatic fever, he devoted all his -attention to bees, at a time when bee-culture was but little valued; -and, although it must be admitted that two boxes were used side by side -long before Mr. Nutt's day, still it is due to him to state that the -adoption of three boxes was entirely his own idea, and that as far as -he then knew, the collateral system was his original invention. His -statements have been severely criticised, and it does appear that the -weight of honey which he names as having been produced in one season is -perfectly incredible. But as in the district where he lived there is -grown an immense quantity of mustard seed--the flowers of which afford -excellent forage for bees--the honey harvests there, would doubtless, -be very large. If Mr. Nutt has given his little favourites too much -praise, it will be only charitable, now, to account for his statements -by an excess of zeal and enthusiasm in this his study of bee-culture. -It may be that the golden harvests he spoke and wrote of have been so -far useful that they have induced many to commence bee-keeping, some -of whom, whilst they condemned his statements, have themselves written -really useful and practical works on the subject, which otherwise -might possibly never have appeared. As the monks of old kept the -lamp of religion burning, however dimly, until a more enlightened -age, so Thomas Nutt may have assisted in a somewhat similar manner -by energetically propounding his views, and thereby causing other -apiarians to rise up whose names are now as familiar to us as household -words, and whose works posterity will value. The writer of these pages -has often accompanied Mr. Nutt on his visits to his patrons in the -neighbourhood of London, and seen him perform his operations regardless -of the anger of bees, and free from all fear of their stings. He often -expatiated on the cruelty of the brimstone match and suffocation, -denouncing the barbarous custom in the following terms:--"You may as -well kill the cow for her milk, or the hen for her eggs, as the bee for -its honey; why continue to light the fatal match, when every cottage in -England has the means of saving this most useful and valuable insect?" - - -NEIGHBOUR'S IMPROVED SINGLE BOX HIVE. No. 2. - -[Illustration] - -We have introduced the "Single Box Hive" to suit the convenience of -those who, though desirous of keeping bees on the improved principle, -do not wish to incur the expense or devote the space which is necessary -for Nutt's hive. - -It consists of a lower or stock-box A., 11 inches square, 9 inches -deep, with three large windows, a thermometer D, as in Nutt's, being -fixed across the front one, protected at the sides by strips of glass -to prevent the bees obscuring the quicksilver from sight. B is a cover -the same size as the lower hive, large enough to allow space for a -bell-glass 9 inches wide, 6 inches deep. E is the ventilator between -the glass and the stock-hive, intended to prevent the queen travelling -into the super hive, and also by cooling the hive to endeavour to -prevent swarming; a sloping pagoda roof with an acorn top completes the -upper story. A floor-board with a block front, as in Nutt's collateral, -forms the base, the entrance being sunk as before described, and -furnished with zinc slides to reduce or close it as may be required. -To stock a hive of this description, it is necessary to send the -stock-box to the party with whom you have agreed for the supply of a -swarm. In the evening of the day the hive is thus tenanted, remove it -to the position it is designed permanently to occupy; if the swarm has -to be procured from a distance, and is transported by rail or other -conveyance, a perforated zinc slide should be substituted for the -plain slide that covers the top, and a large piece of perforated zinc -must also be tacked to the bottom after the swarm has settled in; thus -securely confined, with a free circulation of air throughout, bees that -have been swarmed the day before may be safely sent any distance that -will allow of their being released the day after, because bees, though -they provision themselves for a couple of days, cannot with safety be -confined in an empty hive much longer. - -Having now, we will suppose, procured your swarm, and having placed -it in a south or south-east aspect, you may with advantage, if the -weather be wet, give a little liquid food; the feeding in this hive -is performed at the top of stock-box, where the glass is worked. Our -round Feeding Pan or the new Feeding-Bottle may here be used. Any fancy -as to the position may be indulged in, but must be settled on by the -time the bees are set at liberty, because any alteration afterwards -is detrimental to the working of the hive. The bees on first issuing -forth, carefully mark their new abode and the surrounding objects, -so that if a change be made, they are completely thrown out in their -observations, which confuses them not a little, and occasions loss. -Bees always return to the same spot; it is the locality that they know, -and if the hive is moved a less distance than a mile, thousands return -to the spot on which the hive has been accustomed to stand. - -Allow your bees to collect honey and build their combs for ten days or -a fortnight. Much now depends on the weather; if fine, by this time -they will require additional room, which will be indicated by the -thermometer D rapidly rising; 100 degrees is the swarming point, the -hive must be kept below this by ventilation. - -Access must now be given to the flat bell-glass at the top, which -is done by withdrawing the top slide. In a few hours, sometimes -immediately, the work of comb-building begins in the glass--all the -sooner, if a piece of clean empty comb be placed therein. - -It is of service to keep the glass warm by means of a worsted or baize -bag, it prevents the temperature from falling at night when much -comb-building is carried on, providing the heat is not allowed to -escape. Probably, if all goes on well, in three weeks the glass will be -found to be filled with fine white honey-comb. When you find that the -comb is well sealed up, it is time to take it off, but if the cells -are unfilled and unsealed, let the little labourers complete their -work--a little experience will soon enable the bee-keeper to determine -this point. - -The plan to be adopted for taking glasses of honey-comb is the same as -described for hive No. 1, page 21. - - -TAYLOR'S AMATEUR SHALLOW BOX OR EIGHT BAR HIVE. No. 3. - -[Illustration] - -Taylor's Amateur Hive, as seen by reference to the engraving, consists -of three boxes, the lower one A, is the stock box, in which the swarm -is first placed; B is the first super; and C the centre box; all three -boxes are of the same diameter, viz., 13½ inches square inside; A, -the stock box, is 7½ deep; B, 6½ inches; both are fitted with eight -moveable bars, each bar being 1⅛ wide, with spaces of half an inch -between, and all are easily removed by unscrewing the crown board, in -which are two openings closed by zinc slides; the middle box C has no -bars, and is still shallower than either of the other boxes, being 5 -inches deep. In many localities and seasons, the third box may not be -required. Each box has two windows--one at the back and another at the -side, a zinc shutter sliding in a groove, excluding light and retaining -warmth; the box C differs from the others in another respect; instead -of bars it has a grating made by seven openings, each ½ an inch wide -and 9 inches long; these three boxes stand on a stout floor-board, in -which is cut the entrance way, 4 inches wide and ⅜ of an inch high. The -floor-board projects so as to support an outer cover of half-inch wood, -surmounted by a sloping roof. This is an effectual protection from the -weather, and is necessary when hives are exposed; of course, if placed -in a bee-house such protection may be dispensed with. The outer case -is well painted, of a green colour, and when it is used the hive may -be placed in any part of the garden. The dimensions of this hive, with -outside cover, are 18 inches square, 2 feet 6 inches high. - -Suitable stands are provided, consisting of a stout pedestal with four -feet. Stakes should be driven into the ground to secure the whole -against wind. Height from the ground, 4 feet 3 inches. - -The bars before alluded to are for the purpose of inducing the bees to -build parallel combs; for without this, extraction would be impossible. -It is a great convenience, in many ways, to be able to take out a bar -of comb, it gives such complete control over the hive. - -To ensure comb-building on the bars, pieces of clean worker comb should -always be carefully preserved; and before a swarm is put in, either -every bar, or if guide comb is not plentiful, every other bar should -have a piece fixed to it in the following manner: cut a piece of clean -empty comb of the required size, say two inches square, not less; -heat a common flat iron, and slightly warm the bar with it, then melt -a little bees-wax upon it; draw the comb quick over the heated iron, -hold it down on the centre of the bar, giving a very slight movement -backwards and forwards, then leave it to grow cold; and if cleverly -managed, it will be found to be firmly attached. Care must be taken -that the pitch or inclination of the comb be the same as it is in the -hives--upwards from the centre of each comb. A new plan has lately -been introduced by Mr. Woodbury, of Exeter, to facilitate the correct -construction of parallel combs. - - -TAYLOR'S AMATEUR BAR HIVE. No. 4. - -Taylor's Amateur Bar Hive is stocked exactly in the same way as before -described--viz., by hiving the swarm into the lowest box A, as with an -ordinary Cottage Hive, and in a fortnight's time the box B is placed -over it, and the zinc slides withdrawn. After this has been given them, -and is nearly filled, the super B is raised, and the box C is placed -between, immediately over the stock box, to induce the bees to continue -the combs. - -This hive consists of three boxes, one above the other, similar to the -No. 3. The boxes are less in diameter than the foregoing, and have -seven moveable bars in each. Recent improvements and observations led -Mr. Taylor to prefer eight bars, and to have the boxes made a little -more shallow. - -The mode of stocking and management of this hive are the same as that -last described. There is no outside cover or protection from the -weather, but the wood is additionally thick and is well painted. - -We quite concur with Mr. Taylor in recommending a broader and shallower -hive, and advise intending purchasers to select the eight-bar hive in -preference. - - -NEIGHBOUR'S IMPROVED COTTAGE HIVE. No. 5. - -[Illustration] - -Our "Improved Cottage Hive" is neatly made of straw bound with cane, -and therefore very durable.[3] The lower hive is covered with a wooden -top having in it three holes, through which the bees convey their honey -into three middle sized bell glasses with ventilators, which when -filled hold about 6 lb. each. There is a hoop at the bottom, another -round the top of the lower hive; to this the wooden crown board is -fastened. These hoops are a great improvement, and are less liable to -harbour insects than if straw alone were used. The floor-board, as -its name implies, is a wooden board, 1¼ inch thick, with a projection -of 3 or 4 inches under the entrance to form an alighting place. This -entrance is cut out of, or sunk in the board. - -[Footnote 3: This is the hive referred to by the Bee-Master of the -Times, when he says:--"The second kind of hive I alluded to is made of -straw, and may be purchased at Neighbour's, in Holborn. * * * * It is -so well made that it will last very long. I have had one in constant -use during ten years, and it is still as good us when it was bought."] - -There are three windows in the lower hive, each closed with a shutter, -these are very useful and interesting for inspecting the progress made. -Across the centre window is a thermometer, enclosed at the sides by -slips of glass. The window shutters being painted green, add very much -to its appearance. The upper hive, which is merely a cover for the -glasses, is a conical topped hive, also made of straw bound with cane; -a hoop is worked into the straw, and made sufficiently large to allow -the cover to drop over the top hoop of the lower hive, keeping the -whole close, and preventing wet from drifting in. A zinc ventilator, -ornamentally painted, forms the apex: this is useful in letting the -confined hot air pass away in warm weather. The ventilator is opened -by raising it. The dimensions of the lower or stock hive are 15 inches -diameter, 9½ inches deep outside, its weight when empty 7½ lbs., the -cover or top hive is 12 inches deep, and 15 inches in diameter, the -ornamental zinc top being 4 inches deep. The whole is about 24 inches -high. The weight of a hive packed, including glasses, &c., is about 18 -lbs. - -These hives have a tasteful appearance in the garden, but they require -some further protection from the weather in the form of a cover or of a -bee-house--contrivances that have yet to be described. In extreme cold -weather, a little additional protection by having matting folded round -them will be advisable. - -One of the advantages this hive has over the common cottage hive is -that it affords opportunity for the humane management of bees. The -owner has also the power of taking a glass of honey-comb of pure -quality, free from the extraneous matter, known as "bee-bread," instead -of combs that are darkened by having brood hatched in them. By this -system, we have combs newly made and used only for depositing the honey -first put into them, hence the name "virgin honey." These glasses have -a very pretty appearance, and when nicely filled, are very convenient -for home use or for making presents. The lower hive is the receptacle -for the bees; when a swarm is placed in this hive, they immediately -proceed to fill it with combs, in which to store honey for themselves, -and for cells to breed in. This hive remains undisturbed. - -The best mode of tenanting a hive of this description is by placing -an early and strong swarm in it, which may be generally procured of -a neighbouring bee-keeper; if from a distance, considerable care is -necessary to admit plenty of air; the shaking attendant upon carriage -irritates the bees so much that, if not well ventilated, there is -danger of the swarm being stifled, and the finer the swarm, the greater -the danger. For the purpose of ventilation, remove the slides and -substitute perforated zinc, wrapping the hive up in a coarse cloth of -open texture (dispensing with the floor-board during transit when the -distance is great). - -It is necessary only to send the lower or stock hive to the party -furnishing the swarm, taking the precaution to fix the slides at top -with tacks, as the hive has to be inverted to receive the bees. They -are shaken into it in the usual manner, as they cluster around the -branch of the tree or shrub on which they may have chosen to alight. -After the hiving is accomplished, the hive should be left near to -catch any stragglers, for there will always be a few; towards evening, -close the entrance, and remove them to the exact position they are -intended permanently to occupy. Success depends on this, and also on -their careful removal on the day or evening of swarming. The following -morning the bees labour in the new location, marking well their -habitation before they take flight, and to which they will not fail to -return loaded with luscious store. - -A fortnight must be allowed for filling the stock hive; then, if the -weather be fine and warm, they will prepare to swarm again, as will be -indicated by the thermometer rising rapidly to 100 degrees or upwards; -one of the zinc slides on the wooden top must now be withdrawn, and a -bell glass put on covered and protected by the upper hive, the other -glasses may then be given in the same manner; a day or two after which, -should the weather continue favourable, all signs of swarming will at -once disappear, the bees now having increased store room which they -will readily fill with comb. It is often found useful to attach a piece -of clean empty honey comb to the ventilating tube of the glass; it is -an attraction, and induces the bees to commence working in it sooner -than they otherwise would do. The ventilator should also remain open -during the day to allow the hot air to pass away from the interior, -thereby contributing to the whiteness and beauty of the work; the bees -enjoy the refreshment of coolness thereby afforded, and they work the -faster for it. At evening all ventilation should be stopped, and the -glasses wrapped round with flannel or some warm material, for the -reasons mentioned on last page. - -The directions for taking honey are also the same as before mentioned. - -The holes on the wooden top of this hive are of a peaked shape, being -a preventive against slaughtering any bees whilst pushing the slide -in for the purpose of removing the glass when full; the tacks before -alluded to should be removed from the slides when the hive is fixed in -its place, they are now in the way of cutting off the glass. The hive -entrance has two slides: the perforated one is but seldom required, -the bees object to being closely confined, it is only necessary when -removing, and then for as little time as possible; the other slide -is very serviceable during the winter months to lessen the passage -way, thereby preventing the admission of too much cold air; it is -also occasionally useful on a summer evening, to lessen the entrance -when moths are troublesome, for if there be only a small opening, the -bees can guard it, and easily repulse intruders. During the time of -gathering they require the whole width to remain open. - -When the weather is so unfavourable as to prevent the bees leaving home -for a few days after being hived, it will be necessary to feed them. -Bees should not be fed in the midst of winter; the proper time is in -the autumn or in the spring. - -The best mode of feeding is at the top of the Stock Hive. This is done -by using the Round Feeder. - -The Bottle Feeder may be used instead of the Round Feeder, and in the -same place, by those who give the preference to that method. - -The simplicity and easy management of this hive have deservedly -rendered it an especial favourite, combining, as it does, real utility -with many conveniences to satisfy the curious. Not a few bee-keepers -desire to unite the two qualifications, and no hive combines these -advantages in a greater degree than "Neighbour's Improved Cottage Hive." - - -IMPROVED COTTAGE HIVE. No. 6. - -The No. 6 hive is of precisely the same size, construction, and -management as the last mentioned, with the exception that it has no -windows or thermometer in the lower or stock hive. The apiarian with -this hive will have to trust more to his own judgment as regards the -likelihood of swarming, and must watch the appearance the bees present -at the entrance. When it is time to put on supers in order to prevent -swarming, premonition will be given by the unusual numbers crowding -about the entrance, as well as by the heat of the weather, making it -evident that more room is required for the increasing population. - -Not being able to form an idea of the state of the hive in spring and -autumn by looking into the stock hive, it will be advisable to adopt -the means of weighing. A stock at Michaelmas should weigh 20 lbs. -exclusive of the hive, or be made up to that weight by feeding. - - -THE LADIES' OBSERVATORY OF CRYSTAL BEE-HIVE. No. 7. - -[Illustration] - -This engraving illustrates the construction of the "Ladies Observatory" -hive. The stock hive cylindrical with a flat top and a hole in the -centre; the dimensions 12½ inches inside, 8½ inches deep, the outer -cover being raised, and is made of stout glass, so as not easily to -break. - -A support, composed of seven wooden bars fixed on a pedestal from the -floorboard, is very useful for the bees to cling to and attach their -combs, instead of resting wholly against the glass. - -The floor-board is of mahogany, the border being French polished. A -middle sized bell-glass for deprivation is placed over the hole; this -hole may be closed by a zinc slide. A cover of straw, 18 inches deep, -15 inches wide, with a zinc ventilating top similar to that affixed to -the No. 5 hive, completes the arrangements. The weight of the stock -hive and board is about 16 lbs. - -This hive is well adapted for those persons who are desirous of having -the opportunity of more closely examining the workmanship of these -industrious and interesting insects, as the whole of the interior -may be exposed to view; it is particularly suitable for a window or -an indoor apiary, and also will be found a valuable addition to the -green house. Under these circumstances, the entrance-way should be -covered with a flat piece of glass, and an aperture cut in the sash -corresponding with the entrance to the hive; through the glazed passage -the bees may then find egress and ingress without being able to gain -access to the apartment; an alighting board four inches wide must be -fixed outside on a level with the entrance. - -We had a hive of this kind in operation in the Great Exhibitions -of 1851 and 1862, fixed in the manner above described. It answered -admirably, and excited much interest and curiosity, though placed there -under many disadvantages. - -When a hive of this kind is to be stocked, procure an early and strong -swarm, which must be temporarily hived in a common straw hive, from -which dislodge the bees into the glass hive, but for this purpose a -little preparation will have to be made. Spread a sheet on the ground, -place the mahogany floorboard on it with the support, put three bricks, -or some solid blocks of about the same substance, upon which the glass -will rest; then with a sharp and sudden blow precipitate the swarm out -of the straw hive on to the floorboard and support, place the glass -hive on the bricks, and the bees will collect under the bars and on -to the pedestal. In about one hour's time the whole will have settled -quietly, and all the stragglers on the board will have collected -together, the swarm hanging pear-shaped from the bar support; the -bricks can now be removed, and the glass put in its right place on the -floorboard. The straw cover being put on the hive, it can be removed to -the place it is destined permanently to occupy. - -The light should not be admitted for some days after hiving; if -undisturbed, the bees will speedily build comb, working from the wooden -bars which are placed there for their assistance and support. In ten -days or a fortnight, if the weather continues fine and warm, they will -prepare to swarm again; the opening at the top must now be unstopped, -and the bell-glass put on, guide comb having been previously fixed. -The directions given for the No. 5, Cottage Hive equally apply to the -Ladies' Observatory Hive. - -It is advisable in winter to furnish the glass stock hive with more -protection from cold than is afforded by the straw cover alone; some -thick baize or wrapper of wadding, for which there is space between -the glass hive and the cover, will prevent so much moisture condensing -on the sides of the glass. Moisture is injurious, causing the combs -to grow mouldy; a little protection in the way of wrapping very much -prevents this. - -The hole at top is used for supplying food should the apiarian fear the -stock of honey is in danger of running short; either the bottle feeder, -or the round feeder, may be used for the purpose. - - -COTTAGER'S HIVE, No. 8. - -FOR TAKING HONEY IN STRAW CAPS WITHOUT THE DESTRUCTION OF THE BEES. - -[Illustration] - -A very prevalent opinion exists that bees do better in straw than in -hives made of any other material. Another opinion prevails, viz., that -the old fashioned straw hive is the least expensive, the most simple, -and the most productive. Although we cannot go so far as this, we are -willing to admit that a simplified adaptation of the humane system to -the old common straw hive is the most suitable to put into the hands -of that large class of bee-keepers--_Cottagers_. By these the more -fanciful hives will be instantly condemned; besides, the expense puts -them quite beyond the reach of the poorer class. The object aimed at -in planning our Cottager's Hive has been to furnish a depriving hive -that should be at once easy of management, inexpensive, and convenient. -The stock hive, into which the bees are first hived, is a round straw -hive, having a flat top with a hole in the centre. The size of this -lower hive is 7 or 8 inches deep, 14 inches across the bottom, finished -with a wooden hoop, which adds very much to the firmness and durability -of the hive. The floorboard is 1¼ inch thick, with a way sunk therein -for the entrance. A small round mat of straw closes the hole on the -top; this mat may be fixed by wooden pegs. We have now described what -is termed the _stock hive_, which is, in fact, an old fashioned straw -hive adapted, modernised, and improved to the more humane, viz., the -depriving system. The weight of the stock hive with its floorboard is -about 7 lbs. - -The super or cap hive is about 7 inches deep, 8 inches in diameter, and -when filled contains about 10 lbs. of honey and comb. A glass window -which is placed at the side is useful for inspecting the progress made -in filling it. - -A common straw hive, sufficiently deep to cover, drops over the super, -keeping the window dark and fitting close on to the stock hive. -This cover hive may be made fast by driving in two skewers, one on -either side, to keep the whole firm. Unless placed in a bee-house or -under a shed, the outside should be painted; or a piece of oil-cloth -or waterproof covering of any kind shaped so as to shoot off the -rain, will save the trouble of paint, and answer the purpose. If no -protection of this sort is used, the rain is likely to rot the straw. -As a covering cottagers often use straight stiff thatching straw -sewed together; this contrivance is termed a hackle, and has a pretty -appearance, particularly if a number of hives are in a row. Care has to -be exercised that mice do not make the covering hive a resting place. -Mortar is often used for fastening round the hive at the bottom; this -is a bad plan, as it forms a harbour for insects; the wooden hoop fits -so close as to leave little necessity for anything of the kind. - -The principle of the depriving system is so much the same with all our -hives, that a good deal of repetition is necessary in describing in -detail the management of each separate variety. The object aimed at -with the Cottager's Hive, as indeed with all our hives, is to provide -a compartment for the bees to live in with their queen, she being the -mother of all. It is intended, by inducing the queen to remain in her -original apartment, that all breeding should be there performed, as -well as the storing of bee-bread and honey for the winter sustenance -of the bees. The cap hive or upper chamber, known as the "super," is -for the storing of honey which the bee-keeper looks upon as a surplus, -and which, at the close of the honey gathering, or as soon as filled, -he intends to deprive the bees of, and appropriate to his own use,--of -course taking care to leave sufficient in the lower or stock hive for -winter sustenance. - -The mode of stocking a hive of this kind is so familiarly known that -any who at all understand the hiving of bees into a common straw hive, -can make no mistake or find any difficulty in performing it. Lest these -pages should fall into the hands of persons who are not so acquainted, -we will refer them to the directions already given. - -The hive may be smeared inside with a little honey if at hand; but this -is unimportant, as a clean hive answers well. Some older bee-keepers -prefer to give a little dressing to encourage the bees to like their -new home. - -After the swarm has been in the hive two weeks, the straw super hive -may be put on, first removing the straw mat to give the bees access -to it. If the hive be a stock, that is a swarm of the last or previous -years, the super may be put on as soon as the weather is fine and warm -in May. But much depends on the weather and the strength of the hive -as regards the time occupied by the bees in filling the super; in -favourable weather a fortnight suffices. - -If, on looking in at the little window, the bee-master sees that the -cells are scaled over, the cap of honey may be removed in the mode -already described. The cells near the window are the last to be filled, -so when they are sealed, it is safe to conclude that the combs in the -unseen parts are also finished. - -Sometimes the queen ascends and deposits her eggs; if, on turning up -the super, brood be visible, replace the cap for a few days, until the -young bees quit their cells. When thus emptied, honey will be deposited -in lieu of the brood. - -Suitable pedestals for these hives to stand upon may be obtained. It is -important that these be firmly fixed, and the hive also made fast to -the stand, to prevent its being blown over by high winds. - - -BAR AND FRAME HIVES. - -[Illustration] - -Mr. Woodbury's Bar and Frame Hive, as originally made, consists of a -wooden box 14½ inches square inside, 9 inches deep. This is a hive of -large size, but the actual habitable space inside is lessened by the -room occupied by the frames, of which there are ten; these rest on a -rabbet a little below the surface, leaving a space of ⅜ of an inch -between the upper side of the bars and the crown board. This allows a -free passage on the top for the bees, entirely obviating the necessity -of making excavations in the crown board, as has hitherto been -recommended. Each frame is ⅞ of an inch wide, and rests in notches, -with a space of ½ an inch between each. The frames extend to within ⅜ -of an inch of the floorboard, so as to hang without touching any part, -leaving about the same distance from the sides. It will be seen that -there is a free passage for the bees on every side, and they are thus -kept from coming in contact with the sides of the hive. Our engraving -shows the hive open, and exposes to view the top of the ten bars and -frames as they range from back to front. A window is also shown; this -is placed in the engraving over the entrance, but the proper position -would be just opposite. The drawing is made so as to show back and -front at once. The floorboard is 1¼ inch thick, having two "keys" on -the underside to prevent warping. - - -STRAW BAR AND FRAME HIVE. No. 45. - -[Illustration] - -Since the introduction of the wood hive by Mr. Woodbury, that gentleman -has recommended, in the _Journal of Horticulture_, that the stock hive -be made of straw, of exactly the same dimensions; this material being -warmer in winter, slightly ventilating, and allowing of absorption. -Bees during cold weather cluster together to generate the requisite -degree of heat, the temperature of the interior of the hive being thus -so much higher than the external atmosphere, a good deal of moisture -condenses at the top and on the sides of the hive; the straw, as before -stated, prevents this dampness hanging about the hive, and tends to -keep the inmates more healthy. Dampness in a hive is a fruitful source -of mischief, causing empty combs to grow mouldy, and is injurious in -many ways. - -The square straw hives, and a machine for making them, exhibited in the -Austrian department of the International Exhibition of 1862, suggested -the idea of employing that material for English bar and frame hives. -We have had made a machine somewhat similar to the one exhibited and -suited to the size of our hives, by which our hive maker is able to -manufacture neat square straw hives. These have a wood frame at top an -inch deep, with the requisite notches to allow the ten comb frames to -hang. A similar frame forms the base, the straw being worked between. -The floorboard is 1¼ inch thick, "keyed" with stout keys as before -mentioned. An inch projection is left on all sides beyond the exterior -of the hive, from which it is slightly chamfered down. An entrance 4 -inches wide is cut out of the substance of the board, beginning at the -edge, and continuing on the same level until inside the hive, where it -slopes upwards. This entrance is about ⅜ of an inch high where the hive -crosses it. - -These straw hives have been generally made without windows; as Mr. -Woodbury and other scientific apiarians so prefer them. They consider -that glass windows are unsuited for winter, because then moisture -condenses on the glass. There is no doubt that the having a peep -hole or two in a hive adds very agreeably to its value for amateur -bee-keepers, and to meet the wishes of such, we have had straw hives -constructed with windows. It is not every one who would like to lift -out the frames as often as is necessary for an inspection of the state -of the colony, nor, perhaps, is it advisable to be often thus meddling. -The windows have also a very neat appearance. We have hives with one, -and some with two and three windows; of course, a little extra expense -is incurred where these are made; but that is not objected to by those -who approve of the additional convenience. The crown board (if correct -to call a straw top by that name) has, like the hive, a frame of wood -all round, and a square piece of wood in the centre, with a two inch -hole; this hole is for the purpose of administering food in a mode to -be explained hereafter. A circular block of wood, 4 inches in diameter, -closes the opening. - - -GLASS BAR AND FRAME HIVES. - -[Illustration] - -Some bee-keepers like to be able to make a full and daily inspection of -the hive; we have therefore prepared a few hives, constructed of wooden -frames enclosed on all sides and on the top with window glass. The -dimensions are precisely the same as those before mentioned, and allow -of the same number of bars and frames (ten). The crown has a round hole -cut in the glass to admit of feeding. The four sides are constructed -of double glass, to preserve the bees from variations of temperature. -We cannot, however, recommend this hive for a winter residence for -the bees; we should prefer lifting the combs out with the bees, and -placing them in a straw hive of similar construction, to pass through -the ordeal of the winter season. A stock of bees might be kept through -the year in a hive of this kind, but would require well wrapping round -to keep out the cold. There should be a small glass over the hole at -top so as to allow the moisture to arise and condense, instead of -doing so in the hive. The operation of exchanging the hive is so easy, -that we should be content to place a stock in one, say, from April to -September, and shift it in the autumn. Such a hive is a very pleasing -object of interest, as in it the whole commonwealth of bees is exposed -to view; and the hive need not be obscured from daylight, provided it -be protected from sun and rain. All the external wood-work is of oak -colour varnished, so that the appearance of the "Glass Bar and Frame -Hive" is extremely neat and much approved of. - -[Illustration] - -Frame.--As before mentioned, each stock hive has ten of these -frames, each 13 inches long by 7¼ inches high, with a ⅝ inch projection -at either upper end, which rests in the notch, either back or front. -The width both of the bar and frame is ⅞ of an inch; this is less by -¼ of an inch than the bar recommended by the older apiarians. Mr. -Woodbury,--whose authority on the modern plans for keeping bees is of -great weight,--finds the ⅞ of an inch bar an improvement, because with -them the combs are closer together, and require fewer bees to cover -the brood. Then, too, in the same space that eight old fashioned bars -occupied the narrower frames admit of an additional bar, so that, by -using these, increased accommodation is afforded for breeding and the -storing of honey. - -[Illustration: Section of bar.] - -Improved Comb Bar.--Mr. Woodbury says that this little -contrivance has proved very effectual in securing straight combs when -guide combs are not obtainable. The lower angles are rounded off, -whilst a central rib is added of about ⅛ of an inch in breadth and -depth. This central rib extends to within ½ an inch of each end, where -it is removed in order to admit of the bar fitting into the usual -notch. All that is necessary to insure the regular formation of combs -is, to coat the underneath surface of the central rib with melted wax. -Mr. Woodbury further says, "my practice is to use plain bars whenever -guide-combs are attainable, as these can be attached with much greater -facility to a plain than to a ribbed bar; but whenever I put in a bar -without comb, I always use one of the improved ones. By this method, -crooked and irregular combs are altogether unknown in my apiary." - -Most of our bars are made with the ridge; but should any of our -customers prefer the flat ones, we keep a few to supply their -requirements. - -With the moveable "bar and frame hive" every comb is available for -extraction, and may easily be taken out of the hive; each comb being -fixed within its frame, there is less disturbance to the bees than if -the combs were fixed to the sides, as is the case with ordinary hives. -A strip of wood, about ½ an inch wide, rests on the floorboard; in this -strip are ten notches, made to receive the lower part of the frames, so -as to retain them in their places at equal distances from each other. -A difficulty is found with a well stocked hive in dropping the frames -into the exact notches, so that it is not necessary to have these -rack works always in use; but when any movement of the hive is made, -it is essential to have the frames firmly fixed by the aid of this -contrivance. It is also advisable to have the frames perpendicularly -supported until the combs are built, so in order that the frames should -hang true, the hive ought to be on the level. A little inclination may -be given to it from back to front, causing the hive slightly to fall -towards the entrance, so as to allow the moisture inside the hive, -caused by the exhalations of the bees, to run off. - -[Illustration] - -"Compound Bar Frame."--In the _Journal of Horticulture_, -Mr. Woodbury thus describes the compound bar frame. Being his own -adaptation, we cannot do better than use his own words. "This is a -contrivance of my own, which I have found very advantageous in enabling -me to use frames in stock hives and bars in supers, without forfeiting -the advantages arising from the unlimited interchangeability of every -comb in every hive and super in the apiary. Its construction will be -readily understood by an inspection of the annexed sketch, in which the -comb bar is shown slightly raised from its frame. The bar itself is -13¼ inches long by ⅞ of an inch wide and ⅜ of an inch thick. When the -comb bar is in its place, the whole forms a frame 13 inches long by 7¼ -inches high (inside measure), with ⅝ of an inch projection at each end, -which rests in its appropriate notch in either the back or front of the -hive. When filled with comb, the bar becomes so firmly cemented to the -frame as to admit of its being handled with facility." This contrivance -is, no doubt, very excellent in the hands of Mr. Woodbury; but in the -hands of the unpractised severe mishaps may arise. In warm weather the -propolis and wax, with which the bees cement the bar to the frame, -becomes soft, consequently in handling the frames, unless dexterity is -used, the comb is likely to drop out. We, therefore, recommend that -the bar and frame be made both in one: greater firmness and simplicity -are thereby gained. Some of these compound bars and frames are kept -in stock at our establishment, though they cannot be recommended for -general use; but should any one prefer them, they can be supplied at -the same price as the common frames. - -[Illustration] - -In describing the stock hives of wood, straw, and glass, allusion -has frequently been made to the depriving hives, technically called -"supers." These are also made of glass in wood frames, 13 inches -inside, 6 inches deep, with eight bars (without frames). The -accompanying cut represents the super used with the bar and frame hive. - -Honey-combs in supers are better when made thicker than those for -breeding, consequently the bars are placed a little further apart than -in the lower or stock hive; they are either the "Woodbury Ribbed," -contrived to induce the straight building of combs, or flat bars with -guide combs affixed. - -Cover.--A loose outer case, forming a complete cover for -the hive, is found very useful. The case is made in two parts for -convenience, the roof is also separate, having an acorn at top which -forms a neat finish. These outside cases are made of wood, and drop -lightly over all; when thus protected and fixed on a pedestal, the -hive may be placed in the open air in such position as fancy may -dictate. The aspect should be south or south-east, and if against a -wall, sufficient space must be allowed for a free passage behind, as it -is from thence all operations must be conducted by the apiarian. The -case and roof with the stand being the only parts exposed to weather, -will be the only portions that require painting; they are sometimes -stained and varnished, and we are inclined to prefer the latter for -appearance. Should the apiarian have a complete bee-hive house, the -cover and stands will not be needed. - -[Illustration] - -When removing or replacing the covers, care should be taken to do so -very gently, or the bees will be enraged and rush out, and may inflict -stings upon those within their reach. The necessity for lifting off -the cover for the purpose of looking in, either at the window of the -stock hive or of the super, we have obviated by making a door both in -the upper and lower parts of the outside case. These doors, or unglazed -windows, are hinged at the bottom so as to open downwards, rendering -inspection easy without disturbance to the bees. - -A wooden range for supporting a number of hives makes a safe and -economical stand; it may be formed by driving firmly into the ground -two rows of posts, each row about 13 inches apart; to these two rails -about 2 inches square are nailed, and upon these the hives firmly rest. -Care should be taken not to have the hives nearer together than 18 -inches; the intermediate space will be found very convenient on which -to rest the cover, or for supporting an empty hive during the proper -performance of any operation. - -Mr. Woodbury has his hives arranged on rails, somewhat after the plan -before described. - -In describing as above the various hives and frames, some hints have -been given as to the methods of handling them. This, however, will not -suffice for an induction to the mysteries of practical bee-keeping; and -we must refer the reader to a subsequent section, wherein the details -as to manipulation will be fully explained, and the results of the -experience of several distinguished apiarians will be embodied. - - -TAYLOR'S IMPROVED COTTAGE HIVE. No. 14. - -[Illustration] - -No. 14 hive is similar in principle to No. 8. It is also similar in -size, with the exception of being quite straight at the sides. A zinc -rim affords protection from the weather. Under the upper straw hive a -bell glass is worked. A mahogany adapting board, with a 4 inch hole -in the centre corresponding with that of the hive, supplies an even -surface for the glass to rest on, and facilitates its removal when -full. For particulars for stocking and management see directions for -No. 8 and No. 5 hives. - - -EIGHT-BAR STRAW HIVE. No. 18. - -[Illustration] - -This is an ingenious contrivance of Mr. Taylor's. Hoops are worked in -the straw, both at top and bottom of the stock hive, and in the upper -hoop are openings cut to receive eight comb bars; each bar is 1¼ of an -inch wide, with a space of h an inch between. Since the introduction of -square straw bar and frame hives, these have not been much in request. -Considerable inconvenience is found with this hive, because the bars -being of unequal lengths they cannot be interchanged one with the other. - -The description given of No. 3 hive, and mode of stocking and -furnishing it with guide comb, apply to this hive. The large straw hive -raised up in the engraving is an outside case; the roof is a large zinc -cover. If placed in a bee-house, the outside case and zinc roof are not -required. - - -NEIGHBOUR'S UNICOMB OBSERVATORY HIVE. No. 20. - -[Illustration] - -This hive is well adapted for those persons who are desirous of -having the opportunity of closely examining the workmanship of these -industrious and interesting insects. It is particularly intended -for a window recess or an indoor apiary; and will also be found an -interesting addition to the green house. An aperture should be cut in -the sash corresponding with the entrance to the hive, through which the -bees may find egress and ingress, without being able to gain access to -the apartment, as on the plan in the case of the Ladies' Observatory -Hive. - -The Unicomb Hive is constructed of so narrow a width between this -plates of glass that it admits of one comb only to be built, and at the -same time leaves space between the comb and the glass on either side -for the bees to pass and repass. It is thus made so that every bee may -be exposed to view. The queen forming the most prominent feature of -attention, she is readily distinguished by the greater length of her -body, as well as by the attention paid to her by the other bees. - -The mode of stocking this hive is as follows:--procure a strong swarm -if practicable, and let it be first hived into a common straw hive in -the usual way. Take care to make the necessary preparations previous -to the operation of stocking; for this purpose first unscrew the top -and take out the bar intended for the foundation of the comb. A sort -of wooden trough, contrived to act as a funnel, is provided with this -hive. It is in separate pieces, so as to be packed conveniently, and -requires screwing together. The funnel must now be attached to the -hive, and care be taken that it is quite firmly fixed--the metal plates -are attached for this purpose. Having made these preparations at dusk, -dash the bees out on to a cloth or sheet spread on the ground, place -four pieces of wood so as to raise the hive a little from the cloth; -then invert the hive so as to have the funnel downwards, placing it -over the bees, and letting it rest on the four pieces of wood just -named. In a short time (say half an hour or an hour) the bees will -ascend into the hive; they will go up more quickly if occasionally -stirred with the feather of a goose quill. - -When the bees have ascended into the hive, take off the funnel, replace -the bar, screw on the top board, take it to the place intended for it -permanently to occupy, and which has been prepared for it. It will be -as well to screen the hive from view for a few days until the bees -become settled in their new domicile. Although this hive is constructed -of double glass to keep up a more uniform degree of warmth, still from -the cold nature of glass and the close contact into which the bees -are brought with it, it is advisable to place flannel between the -outer shutters and the glass of the hive on both sides; this is found -essential in winter, and very much adds to the comfort of the bees if -placed so every cold night during most of the year. In the day time -in summer months with the hive being of double glass the whole may be -fully exposed to view. If the temperature of the apartment in which the -hive stands be kept at 60 degrees, this extra attention will not be -so needful. Bees cease to appear disturbed when the exposure to light -is continuous. As soon as the bees are settled, comb building will -immediately commence, and in about two weeks' time there will be one -comb spreading over the whole hive. The queen may be viewed depositing -her eggs, and all the usual operations of the rearing of brood, -storing of honey, and the building of combs, will be open to full -inspection, with perfect ease to the spectator. As an object of lively -and permanent interest for the breakfast parlour or conservatory, the -"Unicomb Observatory Hive" may be regarded as infinitely superior to an -Aquarium or Fernery. - -At the Exposition Universelle of 1855 in Paris, we exhibited a hive -of this description in full working order. The bees left London on -the 5th of July of that year, and were placed in the Exposition on -the following morning. An entrance was made for them through the -side of the building, as before explained. Our bees had no national -antipathies, and they immediately sallied forth to their "fresh fields -and pastures new" in the Champs Elysées, the gardens of the Tuileries, -the Luxembourg, &c., whence they soon returned laden with luscious -store from French flowers. - -The Jurors of the Exposition awarded us a Prize Medal for bee-hives. - - -WOODBURY UNICOMB HIVE. - -[Illustration] - -The "Woodbury Unicomb Hive" has many advantages over hives of this kind -as previously constructed. The engraving shows the interior compartment -divided into six; these are six Woodbury frames. The inner sash opens -to admit of hanging up the frames on the notches prepared for them. The -width of the hive between the glasses of the sashes is just sufficient -to admit of one thickness of comb with space on either side for the -bees to pass and repass, the same as in Neighbour's Unicomb. There -is, however, a great advantage in the use of this hive; with it, any -one possessing a Woodbury box or straw bar and frame hive can readily -commence a Unicomb, and as readily put the combs and bees back into the -square hive again. The outside shutters on either side are composed of -Venetian blinds admitting daylight, but obscuring the rays of the sun. -We had the entrance made at one end, as represented in our drawing; -this alteration was made after the pattern of the hive from which Mr. -Woodbury allowed us to copy. His own was intended to stand wholly out -of doors, and had two central entrances, one on either side at the -bottom, the hive itself turning on a pivot. - -When the hive was being examined on one side, the entrance was closed -by a piece of wood inserted in it, and when the other side was brought -round to be inspected, the piece of wood withdrawn and placed in the -opposite entrance. This was a most ingenious contrivance; but it did -not answer our purpose for indoors. When Mr. Woodbury sent us his -hive, we were preparing for the International Exhibition of 1862, and -in placing it against the sides of the building, we followed our old -plan for ingress by having the entrance at the end. Since that time -we have made a considerable improvement by adapting Mr. Woodbury's -cleverly contrived turn-table to suit our own hive. Like Mr. Woodbury's -hive, ours has two iron wheels, the one fixed to the bottom of the -hive, the other fixed to a stout board running the full length of the -hive; on these two wheels the whole hive turns. In the centre there is -an opening into the hive, with a passage-way running underneath, so -that the bees' entrance is in no way affected by the position of the -hive, which revolves to suit the convenience of visitors inspecting it. -Should the queen with her attendants not be visible on one side, the -other side of the comb can be brought into full view, and examined with -the same facility as a picture, or as articles are inspected in a shop -window. Thus, in the Unicomb Observatory Hive, the sovereign mother, -her train of servitors, the drones with their aimless movements, and -the crowd of ever busy workers--either building their combs or storing -honey--may be always seen as presenting a veritable "Tableau vivant." - -Another improvement that we have made upon Mr. Woodbury's pattern is -that of accommodating the frames; his was constructed before frame -hives were in use, consequently it is only suitable for combs on bars. -Our adaptation has necessitated an increase in size. The dimensions are -nearly 3 feet square and 7 inches deep from back to front. Provision is -made at top for feeding and for working two small flat top glasses for -deprivation, which are protected by the weather board. - -An alighting board is placed at the centre, close under the entrance, -when the hive is located out of doors. When the hive is placed indoors, -a passage-way about 18 inches long, covered with glass, is fixed to the -entrance, the other end communicating with an opening in the wall or -sash; through this the bees find access, an alighting board being fixed -outside the building. It is requisite that the passage-way be about -this length, in order to allow of the hive turning round clear of the -side of the building. - -In the summer of 1863 we had ample proof of the success of this hive -during its exhibition at the annual show of the Bath and West of -England Agricultural Society at Exeter. We selected six combs, and -packed them in one of the square box "Woodbury bar and frame" hives, -and on arrival at Exeter, Mr. Woodbury assisted us in taking out the -frames and placing them in the Unicomb. That being fixed against the -boarded side of a shed, we found the covered way a great convenience, -and it answered remarkably well; the bees did not seem to be -inconvenienced by having to travel through so long a passage. A glass -covering admitted a full view of the little labourers as they crowded -in, and the sight of them very much enhanced the interest of visitors -examining the hive.[4] - -[Footnote 4: It may require explanation how it was that we took bees -to Exeter, which sounds something like "carrying coals to Newcastle." -The reason was this--the garden of our friend, Mr. Woodbury, at Mount -Radford, from which we could have been supplied, was so near to the -show yard that he was apprehensive a large number of the bees would -return to their old hives. Our bees from a distance would, according to -their nature, return to their own hive, for bees although they may be -moved miles away, take care to mark their new position, and are careful -to return to it. Mr. Woodbury lent us a small stock of his Ligurian -bees, and between it and our own hive the crowd of visitors divided -their attention.] - -Since the time before mentioned, we have exhibited bees at the meetings -of the Bath and West of England Agricultural Society at Bristol, and of -the Royal Agricultural Society at Newcastle in 1864. On both occasions -further proof was given that this hive admirably answers the purpose -intended, and it afforded pleasure and interest to many thousands of -visitors. - -Mode of Stocking.--The Unicomb hive may be stocked in two -ways, which have been previously referred to. The bee-keeper may either -select the comb upon which the queen is found and put it into the hive, -and so form an artificial swarm; or he may take six brood-combs from a -hive, and so stock the "Unicomb" at once, which we did for the show at -Exeter. - -The former plan is, perhaps, the most advisable, because new comb -has to be built within the five frames; for, be it remembered, in -this case five empty frames must be put in. It is a better plan still -if artificial combs are placed in each frame so as to afford an -interesting opportunity of watching the formation of the cells therein. -The combs are sure to be dark in colour when taken from a stock hive; -and new combs being whiter have a better appearance in the hive. The -comb upon which the queen was introduced may be taken away after the -artificial swarm has made combs within some of the other five frames; -when the queen is on one of the new combs, opportunity may easily be -taken for opening the hive and removing the old dark comb. The bees can -easily be shaken or brushed off the comb, and will return to the hive. -The comb with the unhatched brood may be deposited in any square hive -that needs strengthening. We mention this to show how to obtain a hive -with entirely fine white comb. - -If the possessor of a square Woodbury frame-hive wishes to start a -strong Unicomb hive, and does not object to appropriate the stock, he -must take out of the Woodbury hive any six combs on the frames, and put -the Unicomb in its place so as to receive all the returning bees that -happen to be abroad; the remaining four combs, supposing there are ten, -may be inserted in any other frame hives in the garden in which are -vacancies for them. - -We have had this hive in operation, in the manner last described, -during the summer of 1863, and found it to answer remarkably well. On -a lawn, placed on a suitable ornamental stand, it formed a pleasing -object, besides affording great interest and instruction. - -In Unicomb hives stocked with a natural swarm (as is generally the -plan), there is considerable difficulty in keeping the bees alive -through the winter. In a hive where the combs are removeable, no loss -of bees need be occasioned. We do not recommend the hive we are now -describing as a winter residence for bees. For four months in the -year, when bees are most active and when their operations are most -interesting, this hive may be brought into use, either of the two plans -before described being adopted. An artificial swarm should be put in -during May or June, and taken out, in the method before mentioned, and -then placed in the square box during the month of September; sometimes -it may do for a stock to be put in a month or so earlier, but should -never be retained later in this hive. In October we often have cold -nights; the bees and brood being in such close contact with the glass, -and not able to cluster as is their natural wont, suffer from exposure -to the variations of temperature. In some degree to moderate this. Me -have used treble glass with a space between each square; greater warmth -is thus attained, and the view is not intercepted. Opportunity should -be taken for cleaning the Unicomb hive when empty, so as to be ready -for re-stocking as a new hive in the following summer. The "Unicomb -Observatory" hive is one which might have been suggested by the lines -of Evans:-- - - By this blest art our ravished eyes behold - The singing masons build their roofs of gold. - And mingling multitudes perplex the view, - Yet all in order apt their tasks pursue; - Still happier they whose favoured ken hath seen - Pace slow and silent round, the state's fair queen. - - -HUBER'S HIVE. No. 19. - -To Francis Huber--not improperly styled the "Prince of -Apiarians,"--we are indebted for more extensive and accurate -observations on the habits of the Bee than has been contributed by all -other observers since the time of Aristotle. - -During the early period of Huber's investigations, he prosecuted them -by means of single comb hives which allow of each side of the comb -being examined. He found, however, that these had one important defect. -The bees could not in these hives cluster together, which is their -natural method of withstanding the effects of a reduced temperature. -Huber hit upon the ingenious expedient of combining a number of single -comb frames so as to form one complete hive, which could be opened in -order to expose any particular comb, without disturbing the rest. From -the manner of the opening and closing of this hive, it has generally -been called the "Leaf or Book Hive." The division separating each -comb is joined both back and front with "butt hinges," fastened with -a moveable pin, on withdrawing which, at either side, each comb and -the bees on it may be inspected as easily as if in a single comb -hive. Huber's Leaf Hive is thus in appearance as if several of those -"History of England" back-gammon chess boards were set up on end -together. The floorboard on which the hive stands is larger than the -hive when closed, so as to allow of its being opened freely at any -particular "volume." An entrance way for the bees is hollowed out of -the floorboard as in other hives. There is a glass window in each end -of the hive, which is provided with a shutter. - -There is, however, one serious objection to Huber's hive, which, -though not noticed by him or his careful assistant, has prevented its -general use. That is, the difficulty there is in closing it without -crushing some of the bees, a catastrophe which, by exasperating their -comrades, is certain to interfere with any experiments. There is no -such risk in the Bar and Frame Hive, whilst in it every facility -possessed by Huber's is retained; so that we strongly recommend -scientific apiarians, in preference to Huber's, that they should use -some kind of Bar and Frame Hive. We have here introduced a description -of Huber's Leaf Hive (and should be glad to exhibit one) for the sake -of its historic interest in connection with apiarian science. The -invention was invaluable for Huber himself, and it suggested to other -apiarians the adoption of the present plan of vertical bars and frames. - -The character of Huber, and the circumstances under which he pursued -his observations, are so remarkable, that we need scarcely apologize -for stating a few particulars respecting him here. He was born at -Geneva in July, 1750, his family being in honourable station and noted -for talent. Just as he attained to manhood he lost his sight, and -remained blind to the end of his days. This apparently insuperable -obstacle in the way of scientific observation, was overcome by the -remarkable fidelity with which Burnens, his assistant, watched the -bees, and reported their movements to Huber, Madame Huber also who, -although betrothed to him before his calamity, had remained constant -in her affection, assisted in the investigations with great assiduity -during their long and happy wedded life. We quote the following from -"Memoirs of Huber," by Professor de Candolle:-- - -"We have seen the blind shine as poets, and distinguish themselves as -philosophers, musicians, and calculators; but it was reserved for Huber -to give a lustre to his class in the sciences of observation, and on -objects so minute that the most clear-sighted observer can scarcely -perceive them. The reading of the works of Reaumur and Bonnet, and -the conversation of the latter, directed his curiosity to the history -of bees. His habitual residence in the country inspired him with the -desire, first of verifying some facts, then of filling some blanks -in their history; but this kind of observation required not only -the use of such an instrument as the optician must furnish, but an -intelligent assistant, who alone could adjust it to its use. He had -then a servant named Francis Burnens, remarkable for his sagacity -and for the devotion he bore for his master. Huber practiced him in -the art of observation, directed him to his researches by questions -adroitly combined, and aided by the recollections of his youth, and by -the testimonies of his wife and friends, he rectified the assertions of -his assistant, and became enabled to form in his own mind a true and -perfect image of the manifest facts. 'I am much more certain,' said he, -smiling, to a scientific friend, 'of what I state than you are, for you -publish what your own eyes only have seen, while I take the mean among -many witnesses.' This is, doubtless, very plausible reasoning, but very -few persons will by it be rendered distrustful of their own eyesight." - -The results of Huber's observations were published in 1792, in the form -of letters to Ch. Bonnet, under the title of "Nouvelles Observation -sur les Abeilles." This work made a strong impression upon many -naturalists, not only because of the novelty of the facts stated, and -the excellent inductive reasoning employed, but also on account of the -rigorous accuracy of the observations recorded, when it was considered -with what an extraordinary difficulty the author had to struggle. - -Huber retained the clear faculties of his observant mind until his -death, which took place on the 22nd of December, 1831. Most of the -facts relating to the impregnation of the queen, the formation of -cells, and the whole economy of the bee-community as discovered -and described by Huber, have received full confirmation from the -investigations of succeeding naturalists. - -[Illustration] - - - - -III. EXTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS AND APPARATUS. - - -BEE-HOUSE TO CONTAIN TWO HIVES. No. 39. - -[Illustration: Front View of Bee-House.] - -There is no contrivance for protecting hives from the weather so -complete as a bee-house one, which also admits of an easy inspection of -the hives ranged therein. This arrangement is especially convenient for -lady bee-keepers. - -The folding doors behind the bee-house have only to be opened, and the -hives are at once exposed to full view. If the cover of the bee-hive -be lifted as well as the shutters opened, the hives and the glasses -may be deliberately inspected, without any danger of molestation from -the bees. Thus the progress made by the busy multitude in building and -filling their combs may be watched by the bee-keeper, from day to day -with great and increasing interest. - -[Illustration: Back View of the Interior.] - -Here our engraving shows the back view of the bee-house, the interior -being furnished with two of our 'No. 5 cottage hives. Two suspended -weights will be noticed; these are to balance the top hives which cover -the glasses; the cord for each, runs on pulleys, so that the covers can -be easily raised and as easily shut down again when the inspection is -finished. We may here remark, that it is not well to keep the glasses -long exposed to full light and view. - -The front of the bee-house being closely boarded, a passage way is -contrived for the bees by which they have egress and ingress, without -being able to gain access to the house. The hives must be kept close -to the front boarding of the house, so as to prevent the opening of -any crevices which the bees might mistake for the entrance to their -hives, and so find their way into the house. The front view of this -bee-house shows the ordinary contrivance for entrance; the sliding zinc -entrances may also be advantageously fixed as shown in the engraving of -a "Bee-house to contain twelve hives." In many parts of the country, -hives and honey are sometimes stolen from the garden; the bee-houses we -furnish have a lock and key to prevent depredations of this kind. - -Care must be taken to keep the bee-houses free from spiders and other -insects. In some districts ants are numerous and troublesome. The plan -we recommend for excluding them is to put some pitch round the four -supports of the bee-house; or, better still, strips of loose flannel or -other woollen material that is absorbent, which have previously been -soaked in lamp-oil. We use sperm oil, being the slowest drying oil we -know of. A piece of string will keep the flannel close to the wood, -and then neither ant or any other insect will pass up; so that by this -simple means the hives may, so to speak, be insulated and placed beyond -their reach. As the oil dries up it can easily be renewed. We have -found this an effectual remedy against these insidious enemies of bees. - -[Illustration] - - -BEE-HOUSE TO CONTAIN TWELVE HIVES. No. 40. - -[Illustration: Back View of the above, showing the Interior.] - -Where economy of room is a consideration, we fit up bee-houses with a -double row of hives, one above the other. Our engravings show the back -and front of a house of this kind, having an ornamental zinc gutter to -prevent the wet from dripping on to the alighting board. - -When a number of hives are thus together, we colour the alighting -boards differently, so that bees may have a distinctive mark by which -each may know its own home, and not wander into its neighbour's house. -Bees readily enough receive a honey laden labourer into a hive; but if -the wanderer be poor and empty, he will be promptly repulsed, and may -have to forfeit his life for his mistake. Queens returning from their -wedding trip, are liable to mistake their hive if all the entrances are -so much alike that a noticeable difference is not easily apparent. -A queen entering a hive already supplied with a fruitful sovereign -would be certain to be killed. The loss to the hive to which the queen -belonged is a most serious one. Hives are often made queenless from -this cause, and thereby reduced to utter ruin; the bee-master perhaps -attributing his loss to something altogether different. - - -BEE-HOUSE TO CONTAIN NINE HIVES. No. 41. - -[Illustration] - -This engraving represents a bee-house adapted for having a number of -hives in a limited space. Three rows of hives, one above the other. - -We do not recommend a bee-house of this construction; it is difficult -to erect one to afford space for super hives, without it being so -inconveniently high as to be liable to be blown over by strong winds. - -Hives thus located in a bee-house are not exposed to so much change -of temperature and the stocks generally pass the winter well. Here we -may introduce the meditations of a German apiarian, as he describes -the advantages of a bee-house for the bees, and his own pleasure in -watching over his pets in the winter, as they dwell so comfortably and -safely. It is true that Heer Braun associates still choicer delights -with the simple pleasures of bee-keeping, but as Mr. Woodbury has not -excluded the higher theme from his translation, we need not hesitate to -quote the whole:-- - -EVENING THOUGHTS IN JANUARY. - -(_Translated from the German of_ Adalbert Braun.) - -By "A Devonshire Bee-keeper." - - Within my little garden - Stands also a bee-house, - And bees therein protected - From sly tomtit or mouse. - - How quietly they're sitting! - And little trouble give, - Beyond the needful watching, - How undisturb'd they live; - - That all, indeed, are living - In strong unbroken health, - And, in the brood-nest hanging, - Consume their hoarded wealth-- - - That in the dwindling store-room - Sufficient stores remain, - Until the rape-plant donneth - Its blossom dress again. - - Thus daily do I visit - My garden and my bees, - Neglecting thereby often - My dinner and my ease. - - Thank God! they all were humming - Within their hives to-day; - Nor could I find a symptom - Of hunger or decay. - - And yet what ardent longing - I feel, O Spring, for thee! - My darlings' gleesome frolics - Are happiness to me! - - How would this anxious longing - Consume my very breast, - But for a little being - So full of love and jest. - - In heat or cold who prattles - Around me ev'ry day, - And stills the throes of longing - By commune blithe and gay. - - Ye bee-keepers can value - A joy that is complete; - It is my wife--the darling-- - Whose lips are honey-sweet. - - With e'en the richest bee-stand - Were joy and pleasure gone, - If my heart's queen were wanting - And I left here alone. - - Thus her I love and honour. - No difference have we, - But oft-times go together, - Our little pets to see. - - Her kisses sweet removing - All sorrow from my breast, - And honied joys surrounding - Proclaim us highly blest. - -T. W. Woodbury, _Mount Radford, Exeter_. - -[Illustration] - - -[Illustration: Exterior of an Apiary. - -As originally erected in the Zoological Gardens, Regents Park.] - -[Illustration: Interior of the above. - -May be taken as suggestive for the construction or appropriation of -rooms for larger Apiaries in summer houses or other outbuildings.] - - -ZINC COVER. No. 37. - -[Illustration] - -This is a simple and inexpensive covering for a No. 5, or other cottage -straw hive when exposed in the garden. It fits close on to the upper -hive, coming sufficiently low to protect from the sun and rain, without -obscuring the whole hive. - -These covers are painted green, that colour being generally preferred. - - -ORNAMENTAL ZINC COVER. No. 38. - -[Illustration] - -The annexed engraving of the Ornamental Zinc Cover renders but little -description necessary. The illustration shows one of our No. 5 improved -cottage hives on a stand. Three clumps of wood must be driven into the -ground, and the three iron rods supporting the covering made fast to -them with screws. There are screw holes in the feet of the iron rods -for the purpose; when thus secured, but little fear need be entertained -of its being blown over by high winds. - -In the roof two pulleys are fixed, so that by attaching a cord, the -upper hive covering the bell glass supers may be raised with facility -for the purpose of observing the progress made by the bees. - -The Ornamental Zinc Cover will form a pleasing object in the flower -garden when placed in a suitable position on the grass plot. It is -painted green; the iron rods are of such a length as to support the -roof at a convenient height from the ground. - - -COVER OF ZINC. No. 29. - -[Illustration] - -This zinc cover introduced by H. Taylor, Esq., for his cottage hive -(No. 14) will also be found useful as a protection from wet for many -other descriptions of round straw hives. - - -BELL GLASSES. - -[Illustration: 25.] - -[Illustration: 26.] - -[Illustration: 27.] - -25. To contain 10 lbs., 10 inches high, 7 inches wide. - -26. To contain 6 lbs., 7 inches high, 5½ inches wide. - -27. To contain 3 lbs., 5 inches high, 4 inches wide. - -These bell glasses are used in the hives before described. No. 25 is -for Nutt's Hive (No. 1); No. 26 is for our Improved Cottage Hive (No. -5); No. 27 is a very small glass, one that is not often used, and which -we do not recommend. Bees will generally fill a middle sized glass -quite as soon as one so small as this. - - -BELL GLASSES. No. 24. - -[Illustration] - -These glasses have been introduced by Mr. Taylor, and are recommended -as preferable to deep narrow glasses. - -The drawings will show that they are straight at the sides, flat at the -top inside, with a knob outside to take hold by, through which is an ½ -inch opening to admit a ventilating tube. - -The larger is 6 inches deep, 12 inches wide; smaller 5 inches deep, 9½ -inches wide. - -[Illustration] - -The late Mr. J. H. Payne, of Bury, author of the "Bee-keeper's Guide," -introduced another glass. It has a 3 inch hole in the centre, the -purpose of which is to tempt bees to produce additional and larger -stores of honey. It is to be used as follows:--when a bell glass is -half or quite filled, raise it, and place the Payne's glass over the -hole of the stock hive, with the filled glass on it over the 3 inch -hole. The bees will bring their combs through, and thus Mr. Payne found -that they would store more honey than if the bell glass were removed -and another empty one put in its place. Of course the first glass must -be smaller in diameter than the Payne's glass, so as to rest upon it. - - -BELL GLASS. No. 28. - -[Illustration] - -This is a glass super to be placed on the hive in a similar way to -the bell glasses already alluded to. It has the advantages of being -straight at the sides, flat at top, and without a knob; so that when -filled it may be brought on to the breakfast table, inverted, on a -plate. The glass lid shown in the engraving forms a cover, and fits -over outside, so as not to interfere with the combs within. These flat -top glasses, like those with a knob, have a hole through which a zinc -ventilating tube is inserted. - - -GUIDE COMB FOR GLASSES. - -In some of our previous allusions to the best mode of inducing bees -to commence working in glasses, we have recommended attaching guide -comb. We will now more particularly explain how this attraction can be -best applied. We have already shown how bees may be induced to make -use of guide combs fixed to bars, and the same principle is applicable -to glasses. These may be filled with great regularity by adopting the -following directions, which we believe have never before appeared in -print:-- - -Procure a piece of clean new empty worker honey-comb which has not had -honey in it (because honey will prevent adhesion to the glass); cut -it up into pieces of about three quarters of an inch square. Gently -warm the exterior of the glass; this we find is best done by holding -the glass horizontally for a short time over the flame of a candle; -then apply one of the pieces of empty comb inside at the part warmed, -taking care in fixing it that the pitch or inclination of the cells is -upwards--in fact, place the guide comb in the same relative position -that it occupied in the hive or glass from which it was taken. There is -some danger of making the glass too warm, which will cause the comb to -melt, and the wax to run down the side, leaving an unsightly appearance -on the glass; this should be carefully avoided, and a little experience -will soon enable the operator to determine the degree of warmth -sufficient to make the comb adhere without any of it being melted. It -is hardly necessary to state that only the very whitest combs ought to -be used. A short time should be allowed before changing the position -of the glass, so that it may cool sufficiently to hold the comb in its -place. Six or eight pieces may thus be fixed, so that when the glass is -filled, it will present a star shape, all the combs radiating from the -centre. The annexed engraving shows the appearance of a glass as worked -by the bees, in which guide combs were fixed in the manner described -above. The drawing was taken from a glass of our own filled after being -thus furnished. - -[Illustration] - -In the Old Museum at the Royal Gardens, Kew, may be seen a Taylor's -glass presented by us, some of the combs in which are elongated on -the outside to the breadth of six inches. We believe that not only -does a glass present a much handsomer appearance when thus worked--and -will, on that account, most fully reward the trouble of fixing guide -comb--but that more honey is stored in the same space and in less time -than if the glass be placed on the hive merely in a naked condition for -the bees to follow their own devices. - -This mode of fixing guide comb does not solely apply to this shaped -glass, but is equally useful for all kinds of glasses. It is introduced -in connection with No. 28, because that glass having a flat top and no -knob, the regularity is more clearly apparent. - -The working of bees in the bell glasses illustrates how tractable their -disposition really is if only scope be allowed for the due exercise -of their natural instinct. They have no secrets in their economy, and -they do not shrink from our constant observation as they daily pursue -their simple policy of continuous thrift and persevering accumulation. -Yet it is only owing to the labours of successive inventors that -we are now enabled to watch "the very pulse of the machine" of the -bee-commonwealth:-- - - "Long from the eye of man and face of day, - Involved in darkness all their customs lay, - Until a sage well versed in Nature's lore, - A genius formed all science to explore; - Hives well contrived, in crystal frames disposed. - And there the busy citizens disclosed."--Murphy's _Vaniere_. - - -THE NEW BOTTLE FEEDER. No. 44. - -[Illustration] - -It has long been acknowledged that the best mode of feeding bees is -through an opening at the top of the stock hive. The "new bottle -feeder" is a simple and good means of administering food when a stock -requires help in that way. Any kind of hive that has an opening at the -top may thus be fed; bees can take the food from it without leaving the -hive. Another important feature is the cleanliness with which liberal -feeding can be accomplished; and few operations require more care than -does feeding. If liquid sweet is left hanging about the hive, it tempts -robber bees, and when once the bees of an apiary have had a taste, -there is no knowing where their depredations will stop; they resolutely -attack and endeavour to rob other hives, fighting and killing one -another to a considerable extent. Even if no hives be completely -destroyed, weakness from loss of numbers will be the portion of most, -if not all, the hives in the garden. - -The morals of our favorites are here a good deal at fault, for the -strongest hives, when their inordinate passion is thus stirred up -by the carelessness or want of knowledge of the bee-keeper, attack -and prey upon the weak. To be "forewarned is to be forearmed"--and -"prevention is better than cure." We strongly recommend closely -covering up the feeder; one of the middle size bell glasses put over it -makes a close fitting cover, should the regular cover to the hive not -be sufficiently tight: when bees are not kept in a bee-house--and are -on that account more accessible--this extra care is more particularly -needed. The right time for feeding is in the autumn or spring. A stock -of bees at Michaelmas ought to weigh 20 lbs. exclusive of the hive, and -if then it weigh less, the deficiency should be made up by artificial -food. It is not wise to defer doing this until later in the season, -because it is important that when the food is placed in the cells, the -bees should seal it up, and a tolerably warm temperature is required to -enable them to secrete the wax for the delicately formed lids of the -cells. If the food remain unsealed, there is danger of its turning sour -and thereby causing disease among the bees. It is not well to feed in -mid-winter or when the weather is very cold. Bees at such times consume -but little food, being in a state of torpor, from which it is better -not to arouse them. - -A little food in the spring stimulates the queen to lay more -abundantly, for bees are provident, and do not rear the young -so rapidly when the supplies are short. In this particular the -intelligence of bees is very striking; they have needed no Malthus to -teach them that the means of subsistence must regulate the increase of -a prosperous population: - - "The prescient female rears the tender brood - In strict proportion to the hoarded food."--Evans. - -Judgment has, however, to be exercised by the apiarian in -giving food, for it is quite possible to do _mischief by over feeding_. -The bees when over-fed will fill so many of the combs with honey that -the queen in the early spring cannot find empty cells in which to -deposit her eggs, and by this means the progress of the hive is much -retarded, a result that should be guarded against. - -The following directions will show how the bottle feeder is to be -used:--Fill the bottle with liquid food, place the net fixed on with an -India-rubber band over the mouth, place the block over the hole of the -stock hive, invert the bottle, the neck resting within the hole in the -block; the bees will put their proboscises through the perforations and -imbibe the food, thus causing the bottle to act on the principle of a -fountain. The bottle being glass, it is easy to see when the food is -consumed. The piece of perforated zinc is for the purpose of preventing -the bees from clinging to the net, or escaping from the hive when the -bottle is taken away for the purpose of refilling. A very good syrup -for bees may be made by boiling 6 lbs. of honey with 2 lbs. of water -for a few minutes; or loaf sugar, in the proportion of 3 lbs. to 2 lbs. -of water, answers very well when honey is not to be obtained. - - -ROUND BEE FEEDER. No. 10. - -[Illustration] - -Round bee-feeders are made of zinc and earthenware; 8 inches across, 3 -inches deep. The projection outside is a receptacle for pouring in the -food; the bees gain access to the feeder through a round hole, which -is placed either at the centre or nearer one side, whichever may best -suit the openings on the top of the stock hive. The feeder occupies a -similar position to that of the glasses or cap hives in the gathering -season. A circular piece of glass, cut so as to fit into a groove, -prevents the bees escaping and retains the warmth within the hive, -whilst it affords opportunity for inspecting the bees whilst feeding. - -The feeders were originally only made of zinc; but some bee-keepers -advised the use of earthenware, and a few have been made to meet the -wishes of those who give the preference to that material. - -When the bees are fed from above in this manner, the feeder is kept at -a warm temperature by the heat of the hive. In common hives cottagers -feed the bees by pushing under the hive thin slips of wood scooped -out, into which the food is poured. This plan of feeding can only be -had recourse to at night, and the pieces of wood must be removed in -the morning. By feeding at the top of the stock hive any interruption -of the bees is avoided. For further instructions on this head see the -directions given for using the bottle feeder. - - -A ZINC FOUNTAIN BEE FEEDER. No. 15. - -[Illustration] - -We invented the fountain bee-feeder so that a larger supply of liquid -food might be given to a hive than is practicable with the No. 10 round -feeder. - -The liquid honey is poured in at the opening, which unscrews; whilst -being filled, the inside slide closing the opening through which -the food passes into the feeding pan, should be shut down. When the -reservoir is filled, the screw is made fast, and the slide being -withdrawn, a wooden float pierced with small holes, through which the -bees take the food, forms a false bottom, and rises and falls with the -liquid. This feeder being on the syphon principle, like a poultry -or bird water-fountain, is supplied from the reservoir until that is -empty. A piece of glass is fixed in the side of the reservoir, in order -that the bee-keeper may see when it is emptied. A flat piece of glass -on the top prevents the bees from escaping, and through it they may be -inspected whilst feeding. The bees find access to the feeder on to the -perforated float through the central round hole, which is placed over a -corresponding hole in the stock hive. - - -NUTT'S DRAWER FEEDER. No. 9. - -[Illustration] - -This is the feeding drawer, alluded to in the explanation of the -management of the No. 1 Nutt's Collateral Hive, for feeding at the -bottom of the middle or stock box. The feeder is made of tin, and of a -square form, so as to fit the drawer (see page 19). - -HONEY CUTTERS. No. 13. - -[Illustration] - -Honey Cutters are used for removing comb from boxes and glasses without -damaging it. The flat bladed knife is for disconnecting the combs from -the sides; the hook shaped one is for the same purpose, to be applied -to the top or horizontal part of the box or glass. - - -FUMIGATOR. No. 11. - -[Illustration] - -This Fumigator is a tin box, somewhat like a pepper box upon a foot. -It is a simple adaptation of the fumigating apparatus described by Mr. -Nutt, and is used in the following manner. Have a straw hive or other -vessel ready, that will match in circumference the hive intended to be -fumigated. If the empty hive have a conical top, it will not remain -crown downwards without a rest; in this case, it will be convenient to -invert it on a pail. Having ascertained that the hive to be operated -upon and the empty one in its reversed position nearly match in size, -take half a packet of the prepared fungus, fire it well, and place it -in the box or fumigator; placing this in the centre of the empty hive, -then bring the occupied hive directly over, so as to receive the fumes -of smoke. To keep all close, put a wet cloth round the place where -the two hives meet. In a minute or two the bees may be heard dropping -heavily into the lower empty hive, where they lie stupefied. After a -little while, the old hive may be tapped upon to make the bees fall -more quickly. On removing the upper hive, the bees from it will be -found lying quiet at the bottom of the lower one. Place a sheet on the -ground, and spread the bees on it, then with a feather sort them over, -in order to pick out the queen-bee. As soon as the queen is found, -then pour the rest of the lethargic swarm from off the sheet back into -the inverted hive again. The stupefied bees must now be sprinkled -freely with a syrup made of honey and water, or sugar and ale boiled -together. Some apiarians recommend a few drops of peppermint to be -mixed with the syrup, in order to drown the peculiar odour which is -special to each hive of bees,--this is more necessary when two hives -of bees are fumigated and whilst under the influence of smoke are well -mixed together. The hive containing the bees with which it is intended -to unite the stupefied bees, must now be placed on the top of that -containing the latter, just as the hive was from which they have come. -A wet cloth must be fastened round the two hives, so as to prevent -any of the bees from escaping. The hives in this position must be -placed where they are not likely to be knocked down or meddled with. -The fresh bees in the upper hive, attracted by the scent of the bees -besmeared with honey, go down and commence to lick off the sweets from -the sprinkled sleepy ones. The latter gradually revive, when all get -mingled together, and ascend in company to the upper hive, where they -live as if they had not been separate families. - -The two hives should be left undisturbed for twenty-four hours, then -the upper hive may be removed and placed immediately on the spot from -whence it was brought. The reason the queen is recommended to be taken -is to prevent any fighting. - -The queen should be kept alive and fed as long as she will live, in -case any harm should befall the sovereign of the other community. - - -THE FUMIGATOR. No. 12. - -[Illustration] - -The Fumigator is useful for several purposes. When a frame hive has to -be disturbed it is requisite to raise the lid and blow a little smoke -into the hive, so as to check the angry passions of the bees. If it be -desirable to stupefy the bees, ignited fungus must be placed in the -box, and the flattened end applied to the entrance of the hive; the -smoke is then blown in--either with bellows or by applying the mouth -of the operator,--taking care to close all openings through which the -smoke can escape. The bees fall down stupefied, generally in about ten -minutes, but the effect varies according to the populousness of the -hive and the quantity of comb in it. The projected operations must now -be performed speedily, as activity will soon be regained. See preceding -directions. - - - -THE BEE DRESS OR PROTECTOR. No. 31. - -[Illustration] - -All operations connected with the removal or the hiving of bees -should be conducted with calmness and circumspection. Bees, although -the busiest of creatures, have great dislike to fussiness in their -masters, and become irritable at once if the apiarian lets them see -that he is in a hurry. Hence, there is great advantage in having the -face and hands covered whilst at work amongst the bees; for when the -operator knows he cannot possibly be stung, he can then open his hives, -take out the combs, gather in his swarms, or take the honey, with all -the deliberation of a philosopher. Various kinds of bee dresses have -been contrived; one that we keep ready in stock is of very simple -construction. It is made of strong _black net_, in shape like an -inverted bag, large enough to allow of a gentleman's wide-awake or a -lady's hat being worn underneath. The projection of the hat or cap -causes the dress to stand off from the face; and the meshes of the net, -though much too small for a bee to penetrate, are wide enough to allow -of clear vision for the operator. An elastic band secures the dress -round the waist; the sleeves also--made of durable black calico--are -secured at the wrists by a similar method. The hands of the bee-master -may be effectually protected with a pair of India-rubber gloves, which -should be put on before the dress is fastened round the wrists. This -kind of glove is regularly used by photographers, and allows of perfect -ease in manipulation. - -Thus a very simple and inexpensive means of protection will enable -even a novice in bee-keeping to make his observations and conduct -his experiments under a sense of perfect security. Still he need not -be careless as to the feelings of his bees; his success and their -comfort will be promoted by his "handling them gently, and as if he -loved them." "Familiarity" between bees and their master "breed" not -"contempt," but affection. - -Any sudden or clumsy movement which jars the combs or frames will -excite the bees, and if but one should be crushed, the odour of their -slaughtered comrade rouses them to a pitch of exasperation. Their -powers of smell are very acute. The best time for most operations is in -the middle of a fine day. - - -ENGRAVED PRESSING ROLLER. No. 46. - -FOR THE GUIDANCE OF BEES IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF HONEY-COMB ON THE BARS. - -[Illustration] - -This is an engraved metal roller, which when applied to the coated -underside of a comb-bar leaves an impression like the diagram shown. -The wax having been spread on the flat bar, the roller, heated by being -put into hot water, is then heavily pressed over it. The roller has -two wood handles, so that considerable pressure may be given to it. -The roller is a little less than 2 inches in diameter, ⅞ of an inch -wide, and the length from handle to handle is 6 inches. The diagram -shows the full size of the impressions as left on the wax after -passing the roller along the comb bar in the manner above described. -It is a contrivance invented in Switzerland, and exhibited in the -International Exhibition of 1862, when the pattern roller was purchased -by ourselves. - -The bars of a hive prepared with these markings in wax afford ready -made foundations for regular combs, which very much facilitate the -operations of the bees. - - -IMPRESSED WAX SHEETS FOR ARTIFICIAL COMB. - -These artificial partition walls for combs are sheets of genuine -wax, about the substance of thin cardboard. They receive rhomboidal -impressions by being pressed between two metal plates, carefully and -mathematically prepared and cast so that the impressions are exactly -the same size as the base of the cells of a honey-comb. An inspection -of a piece of comb will show that the division of the opposite cells -is made by a thin partition wall common to both; now the substance -of this is said to be only the one hundred and eightieth part of an -inch, whilst the artificial ones we are recommending are between the -thirtieth and fortieth part of an inch, more than four times the -thickness of the handy-work of the bees themselves. It would, indeed, -be vain to attempt to furnish sheets of wax at all approaching their -own delicate fabric; the impressed sheets are quite as thin as they -can be to bear the handling which is requisite for fixing them in the -hives. We find, however, that the thickness is no disadvantage; the -bees speedily excavate and _pare the artificial sheet_ so as to suit -their _own_ notions of the substance required; then, with admirable -economy, they use the surplus thus obtained for the construction of -the cells. After a sheet has been partly worked at by the bees, it -is interesting to hold it up to the light and observe the beautiful -transparency of that part of it contrasted with the opaqueness of the -part not yet laboured upon. - -When it is considered, as writers tell us, that more than fourteen -pounds of honey are required for the secretion and elaboration of a -single pound of comb, it will not be difficult to form a just estimate -of the value of this invention, which thus furnishes cheap and -excellent assistance to our industrious favorites. It also shows the -bee-keeper that all clean empty combs should be carefully preserved, -and considered as valuable stock. Another great advantage that it -affords us is, that it renders us independent of _guide comb_, which -is not always obtainable. When a sheet or a strip of this impressed -wax is properly fixed to the comb bar, it is _certain_ to be the guide -and foundation of a straight comb. This invention has been derived -from Germany, where it has been adopted many years with success. At -the International Exhibition of 1862, we purchased the metal plates or -castings, so as to manufacture the impressed sheets with which we are -now able to supply our customers; and, after the careful trials we have -made, we have great confidence in recommending them. - -In the season of 1863 we furnished a Woodbury glass super with the wax -sheets fixed to the bars, in the manner hereafter to be explained, and -it was truly astonishing to see the rapidity with which these sheets of -wax were worked into comb. Receptacles were quickly made ready for the -storing of honey, and the new combs soon became beautifully white; for -although the artificial wax has a yellow tinge, yet after being worked -at and made thinner, it is as good in colour as ordinary combs. For -supers we cut the wax plates in half, making one serve for two bars. - -We have received from Germany the following directions for the -fastening of the artificial plates to the comb bars. Hereafter will -be described a plan which we have adopted, and to which preference is -given. - -(Translation) "The unstamped edge of the plate receives incisions half -an inch distant from one another made with a sharp knife, the plate -having been a little warmed. Then it is pinched between two equally -strong ledges which have been well moistened; the projecting edge of -the plate which received the incisions is alternately bent to the right -and to the left. The comb bars are well besmeared with artificial -sticking wax (a mixture of two parts of wax and one part of American -resin), and is well warmed at a fire. Afterwards the besmeared side -is laid upon the bent end of the plate, and pressed to it as firmly -as possible. A small wooden ledge, besmeared with sticking wax and -fastened by means of pressure to the lower edge of the plate, prevents -it from bending, which sometimes happens when the bees work it." - -To carry out the directions here given, it is necessary to warm the -besmeared comb-bar at a fire; the wax plate has also to be warmed. -Having tried this plan, and found inconvenience attending it, -especially from the wax curling with the heat and the difficulty of -making it stick firm,--to say nothing of the uncomfortableness of -performing the operation before a fire on a hot day in July,--we began -to consider if a little carpentering might not do the work better and -more pleasantly, and adopted the following plan:--We split or cut -the comb bars of the Woodbury super in half lengthways, and taking -the unstamped edge between the two strips, join them together again -by small screws at the side, confining the wax plate tightly in the -centre, with no possibility of its falling down. Where frames are used, -of course, the bar could not be cut in two (except with the "compound -bar and frame," where the bar being loose, it might be as easily -managed). The plan we adopt with an ordinary frame is to saw out an -opening about an inch, or an inch and a half from either end where the -sides are morticed in; this opening we make with a keyhole saw. Through -it the wax plate is easily put, and with a heated iron passed over the -upper side of the bar, is made sufficiently firm. If the wax plates -are too large, a portion may easily be cut off; an opening of full 11 -inches long can be made without materially weakening the bar and frame. - -The wax plates must not extend to the bottom of the frame; a space of -at least one inch should be left for expansion, because the bees in -working the plate stretch it down lower. We also use a few pins firmly -pressed into the frames, and long enough to reach the edge of the -plate, for by fixing three or four pins on either side, both at the -sides and at the bottom, the plate may be held in an exactly central -position within the frame. As before mentioned, when these directions -are carried out, there is no fear of being troubled with crooked combs -on bars. - -The secretion of wax, and the method of its adaptation by the bees, is -thus admirably described by Evans:-- - - Thus filtered through yon flatterer's folded mail - Clings the cooled wax, and hardens to a scale. - Swift at the well-known call, the ready train - (For not a buzz boon Nature breathes in vain,) - Spring to each falling flake, and bear along - Their glossy burdens to the builder throng. - These, with sharp sickle, or with sharper tooth, - Pare each excrescence, and each angle smooth, - Till now, in finish'd pride, two radiant rows - Of snow-white cells one mutual base disclose; - Six shining panels gird each polish'd round, - The door's fine rim, with waxen fillet bound, - _While walls so thin, with sister walls combined, - Weak in themselves, a sure dependance find._ - * * * * * - Others in firm phalanx ply their twinkling feet, - Stretch out the ductile mass, and form the street, - With many a cross-way, path, and postern gate, - That shorten to their range the spreading state. - - - - -IV. MANIPULATION AND USES OF BAR AND FRAME HIVES. - - -Having at page 36, given a description of the mechanical arrangements -of bar and frame hives, the next thing is to describe the mode of -introducing the bees, and of thus bringing the humane and scientific -hives into operation. The swarm should be first hived into a common -straw hive from the bough or shrub upon which they may have alighted; -place this hive,--into which we will suppose the bees have been -shaken,--on the ground, propped up on one side with a brick or a flower -pot, or anything of the sort that may be handy, in order that straggler -bees may join the swarm. The spot selected for this should be as shady -an one as can be found, near to the place where the swarm settled; or -it may be shaded from the rays of the sun by fixing matting on two -poles so as to prevent the heat falling on the hive; spread a sheet or -cloth on the ground where an even surface can be obtained; stake this -sheet down at the four corners, to prevent ruts and inequalities, which -are great hindrances to the bees going into the bar and frame hive; -place the latter upon the sheet without its floorboard, having its -front raised on blocks or sticks rather more than an inch,--not more, -otherwise the bees will cluster and attach themselves to the lower part -of the frames instead of going up between. These preparations will -perhaps occupy ten minutes, by which time the swarm will have become -settled and tolerably quiet. Then with a sharp rap precipitate the -bees out of the straw hive on to the sheet immediately in front of the -frame hive; give the straw hive another knock so as to dislodge all the -bees, and then take it quite away, otherwise they may, if it be left -near, perversely choose to go into that instead of the one desired. -In some cases, as when the swarm has to be brought from a distance, -and procured from a cottager about whose skill in carrying out these -directions there may be misgivings, it is best to give instructions -that the swarm be brought home after sunset, and then the foregoing -directions for inducing the bees to tenant the frame-hive may be better -carried out; for ourselves, we much prefer the evening for the purpose. -A little water sprinkled over them from a watering pot is likely to -induce the bees to quit the ground and go up into the hive more quickly. - -Mr. Langstroth, in his admirable book "The Hive and Honey Bee," writes -"If they are too dilatory in entering the new hive, they may be gently -separated with a spoon or leafy twig, where they gather in bunches on -the sheets or they may be carefully 'spooned up' and shaken out close -to the front of the hive. As these go in with fanning wings, they will -raise a peculiar note, which communicates to their companions that they -have found a home, and in a short time the whole swarm will enter, -without injury to a single bee." In the _Journal of Horticulture_, Mr. -Woodbury says "If combs be fixed in the frames, the crown board may be -removed, and the cluster knocked out of the straw hive on to the top -of the exposed frames. The bees will disappear between them with the -utmost alacrity, delighted to have met with a ready furnished dwelling, -and the top or crown board having been replaced, the hive should at -once be removed to the position it is intended permanently to occupy." - -No one should attempt these operations without being protected by a -_bee dress_, and a pair of India-rubber gloves,--such as those used -by photographers,--which are sting proof. Some persons also take the -precaution of tying strings round the ankles of the trowsers, lest -some straggler should determine to attack the outposts of the enemy, -which, to say the least, might perplex the operator in the midst of his -task. Elastic India-rubber bands are good for this purpose, or a pair -of "knickerbockers" would be useful. If Wellington boots are worn, the -trowsers may be tucked within the leather, in which case no bee can -molest the operator, and no string or band will be needed. Practice -makes perfect in bee tending as in other matters, and when a light hand -is gained, there is little danger of the apiarian being stung. - -If the weather be wet the next day or so after hiving, it will be well -to give a little assistance to the new colony in the shape of food, -for although when a swarm leaves a hive almost every bee composing it -fills itself with honey, we have known not a few instances in case -of very wet weather, in which the whole swarm has been starved for -the want of this little timely help. Of course, the first work of the -bees is to build themselves combs, and these combs being produced by -the secretion of wax from honey, a great drain upon their resources -immediately begins, and any little outlay at this juncture is -abundantly compensated by its enabling these industrious emigrants the -more quickly to push, forward the furnishing of their new home. Clean -combs from hives that may have lost their bees are readily accepted, -and cause a great saving in time and material to the bees; these combs -may easily be fixed by cutting them the proper size to fit within the -frames, and making them firm by tying with tape or fixing them with -pliable wire. Artificial comb (see page 70) is often used, and has -this advantage, that the combs are certain to be straight and regular, -besides the saving in material to the bees. - -These preparations must be made prior to the bees being hived, so -that when a hive is so prepared, a swarm may begin to adapt whatever -advantages they find ready for them; and it is truly marvellous what a -swarm will do when thus furnished with combs in their new habitation. -In these the queen can immediately begin to deposit her eggs, and -the workers to store their honey, without having to wait for the -construction of combs, which is a laborious occupation for the bees. - -In some cases, fine white combs may be taken from the stock hive; the -end frames are always the most free from brood. Care must be exercised -not to rob this part of the hive too much; one comb may perhaps be -removed in the course of the season without impoverishing the bees, but -it is not wise to take more. - -Putting on Super Hive.--A colony established a year or more -is called a "stock," by way of distinction from a swarm of the present -year. Supposing the hive to be a stock, the super should be given them -at the early part of the season, say, if fine and warm, at the latter -end of April or beginning of May; if the weather be then unfavourable, -it is better to delay doing so until a more genial temperature. If the -colony be a swarm of the present year, two weeks should be allowed to -elapse from the time of tenanting a hive, before putting on the super; -this delay is necessary to give the bees the opportunity of building -combs in their new domicile, and of getting a store of honey for -themselves before working for their master. - -When it is wished to use a super, the crown board or roof of the stock -hive must be taken away, the thin adapting or honey board taking its -place; the two long slits at the sides are to give admission to the -super. The bees will begin sooner and work faster if the eight bars are -each furnished with artificial comb (as described page 71). We have had -depriving hives very quickly filled when the bees were thus assisted. -Combs that have been left unfilled may be fixed to the bars as before -described; these must be white and clean, as dark comb should not be -used for super hives. The combs when filled may be taken out singly, if -desired for consumption, substituting an empty bar or comb; or should -the bee-keeper desire to see a handsome super, he must wait until the -bees have filled and sealed up all the combs, and then he may proceed -to deprive them of it as before described. - -Taking out Frames with Combs.--It is well for a beginner to -practice the directions for opening and shutting up hives by using an -empty hive, until he becomes familiar with the handling of the frames. - -The first thing to do is to loosen the crown board or lid with a knife, -drawing a piece of string underneath it to divide the wax or cement -with which the bees make all secure. This string should be drawn -through very slowly, so as not to irritate the bees. In hot weather, -the crown board may be loosened by a lateral movement; but sometimes, -for want of care, this loosening of the lid disturbs the bees, and as -soon as it is removed, a number of them, enraged thereby, pour out and -attack the operator. This and all other operations ought be done very -carefully and gently; especial care should be taken not to prise the -lid upwards, by way of wrenching it off, for the frames and combs are -generally secured thereto, and there is a liability of rending the -combs with it; this will greatly irritate the bees, and be otherwise -injurious. When a hive of bees is enraged, there is little chance of -pacifying them; it is best, under such circumstances to 'give in' at -once, and not attempt to perform any operation, but to shut the hive up -and beat a retreat, benefiting by the experience so as to do better in -a day or so afterwards. There are various devices for intimidating or -conciliating the bees, and one of these already spoken of is--smoke. -So next time the experimenter makes his attempt let bill! raise the -lid an inch or so, and blow a few puffs of smoke into the hive, which -will cause the bees to retreat. This is best done by using our No. -12 fumigator, with a little of the prepared fungus lighted. Pipes or -cigars are not convenient to use for this purpose when the head is -enveloped in the dress. As soon as the lid is removed, a few bees -will fly out to learn the cause of such an interference. Conciliation -should then be introduced by having at hand a little sweetened water, -which may be sprinkled, or rather let drop from a feather or brush. The -sudden motion of the hand required in the act of sprinkling irritates -the bees, so that instead of making them our friends, they may become -our foes. Mr. Langstroth recommends that a fine watering pot filled -with sweetened water, be used for the purpose. Care must be taken not -to drench the bees; only just sufficient should be given to run down -the sides of the combs as well as sprinkling the top. As soon as the -bees really understand that syrup is being given them, they feast upon -it instead of angrily attacking the operator. Thus pacified, and with -gentle treatment, but little difficulty will be found in proceeding -with the work required. But the unskilled operator should on no account -neglect to put on a bee-dress and gloves as described above. We would -err on the side of caution, although there is an old saying that "a cat -in gloves catches no mice," and the apiarian will find that his fingers -are not so free to work as he would like, for gloves make them rather -clumsy in drawing up the frames. - -The frames must now be gently prised from front to rear; this may be -done with a small screw-driver or other stout instrument with a wedged -end to go into the notches. The frames fit loosely so as to allow of -a little movement from back to front; a lateral or side-way movement -might kill the queen; or if not so fatal as that, might crush some of -the bees and injure the brood combs, and must be carefully avoided. It, -of course, depends upon what the operation is that has to be performed -whether or no all the frames should be thus loosened. If it be for -making artificial swarms, or for any purpose requiring an interview -with her majesty, the whole of them must be loosened, because it often -happens that all the combs have to be examined, sometimes twice over, -before she can be discovered. Bees are very apt to build their combs -in a slightly waving form, and in extracting one it will be needful to -make room both for the comb and bees upon it to pass without scraping -the next comb, and there will be a difficulty if the apiarian attempts -to draw out one comb whilst the other frames are located in their -appropriate notches. Let the operator gently proceed to lift say the -third frame (allowing it to lodge on the little block that divides the -notches) a little nearer to the fourth frame, and the second nearer the -third, so as to admit of sufficient space to lift out the end one. Very -carefully and slowly he should lift the frame by taking hold with thumb -and finger of the projecting shoulders that rest in the notch; and he -must not let it touch or scrape the next frame or the sides of the hive -so as to crush or irritate any bees. - -After the end comb is thus removed, it will be easy to extract the -others, as there will now be plenty of room for drawing them out. A -hive of exactly the same size should be at hand; and in case it be -desired to remove the combs and bees into another hive, care should be -taken that each comb occupies the same relative position that it did in -the old hive. - -In handling the frames, bear in mind that they are to be held -perpendicularly. To gain a view of both sides of the comb when -searching for the queen, or for any purpose requiring full inspection, -with a little dexterity in twirling the frame round, the reverse side -may be brought to face the operator, without letting the comb break -away by its own weight and so fall out of the frame, which it will do -if allowed to deviate from its upright or downright position. If the -operator could see an experienced person perform the operation, he -would quickly understand how combs may thus be handled without any risk -of a smash. - -When placing frames in the hive, care must be taken not to crush a -bee between the projecting shoulders of the frame and the rabbets or -notches on which they rest, and on no account must the frame be let -down with a jerk, or the bees will become exceedingly fierce: the frame -should be so slowly deposited in its place that a bee on feeling the -slightest pressure may have the opportunity of escaping unhurt thereby. -The crown board should be replaced by first resting its front edge in -its place, and then slowly lowering the after part, looking carefully -under, and momentarily raising it when necessary to avoid crushing a -bee. Should the hive have its super on, the same directions may be -followed. The super with its honey board may be bodily taken away, and -so placed and confined for a time that robber bees cannot find an -entrance, and also be far enough from the apiarian to be out of danger -of being broken or overturned by him. - -Advantages of Bar and Frame Hives.--It will be asked why -all this trouble about bar and frames with straight combs built upon -them? We have shown the full command which the bee-keeper has over a -hive so constituted, and we now proceed to show how in skilful hands -these advantages may be used successfully; though, in the hands of the -unpractised and unskilful the contrary may be the result. - -All the bars and frames in an apiary ought to be of precisely the -same dimensions, so as to fit every hive. This is essential for the -strengthening of weak hives. A hive that is weakly may often be -advantageously strengthened by having put into it a comb of brood from -a populous stock, to which an empty frame from the weak one may be -given; no bees must be on the brood-comb--these should be shaken off -or gently dislodged with a feather into the hive from which the comb -is taken. The frames of the hive from which the comb has been taken, -should be, one by one, placed so as to fill in the vacancy, leaving -the empty frame nearest the side. When a hive has been in use many -years, the combs become very black, and every bee that is bred in a -cell leaves a film behind. It may be understood how in this way the -cells become contracted, so that the bees that are bred in them are -correspondingly reduced in size. After the lapse of say five years, it -may be necessary to begin to remove the old combs. This may be done by -cutting away the comb or by substituting an empty frame for one with -old black comb, gradually moving the frames towards each other. By -taking two away in this manner in the spring or summer of every season, -the combs in course of five years may all be reconstructed and fresh -clean ones be secured for breeding in, instead of the old black ones -that otherwise would remain as long as the stock could live in the hive. - -Artificial Swarming.--Every bee-keeper knows the anxiety there -is in watching and expecting a swarm to come forth, fearful lest his -favorites should, "like riches, take wing and fly away," a mischance -that it is desirable to prevent. In our description of natural -swarming this will be found fully treated of; we propose here merely -to point out how, with the moveable frames, this work of nature may -be assisted--we say assisted, because artificial swarming should, as -nearly as possible, resemble natural swarming, that is, it should be -performed at the same time of the year, and when the populous state of -the hive makes a division desirable. This is easily known to be the -case when bees hang out in clusters at the entrance, wasting their time -in enforced idleness instead of being abroad gathering honey. It is -also necessary that the hive contain drones. - -An empty hive should be placed on the stand when the living hive is -removed, for the purpose of amusing returning bees. If the hive is -kept in a bee-house, the entrance should be shut down unto the hive is -restored, when the clustered bees may be at once admitted. - -When such is the state of the hive, the facility of forming an -artificial swarm with a moveable frame hive is a decided advantage. -The best time for performing the operation is about ten o'clock in -the morning of a fine summer's day. The following directions should -be carried out:--place ready a counter or bench that is firm and -strong, and which has space on it for the inhabited--or rather the -over-inhabited--frame hive and the empty one, which is about to be made -the receptacle of a separate stock. The operator having on bee-dress -and the other appliances ready, may now open the hive as before -described, and proceed to take out the frames, carefully examining -both sides of each comb to find the queen: she is generally in the -centre of the hive, so that it is not always needful to take out all -the ten frames. As they are examined, the frames may be put into the -empty hive, and when the object of the bee-master's search is found, -he must carefully remove the frame containing her majesty, and may -place it temporarily in the empty hive at one end by itself. Next he -must proceed to put the frames back into the old hive, closing up -the vacancy caused by the removal of the comb with the queen on it, -and leave the empty frame at the end. Then he may place the frame -containing the queen--with the few bees that may be upon it--in the -centre of the empty hive; then putting all the other frames in, and -replacing the lid, the bee-master will place this hive in the exact -position occupied by the old stock. The bees that are on the wing will -go to the old spot, and finding the queen there, they will rally round -her and very soon form a sufficient number to constitute a swarm; comb -building will at once begin, the frames will in a week or so be filled, -and a satisfactory stock will thus be established. By doing this at -the right time, just before the bees are about to swarm, or when there -are many drones, all the trouble of watching and waiting for them is -saved. Mr. Woodbury claims the honour of having originated this mode -of artificial swarming; subsequently Mr. Langstroth and others have -described a similar process, no doubt originally, as far as they knew, -therefore still more useful to us as a confirmation of the value of Mr. -Woodbury's discovery. - -This operation we performed, exactly as described above, with one of -our improved cottage hives one afternoon at the latter end of May, -1862. Whilst inspecting our bees, we caught sight of the queen on the -comb in one of the bell glasses. This was a chance not to be missed, -and we immediately resolved to form an artificial swarm, for the hive -was very full of bees. Besides, being obliged to be away from the -apiary most of the week, we were glad of the opportunity of so easily -establishing a colony without the uncertainty and trouble of hiving a -natural swarm. In the first place we slid a tin under the bell glass, -and removing the stock hive from underneath we took it a few feet away; -then we placed an empty improved cottage hive where the old stock had -stood, and put the glass of comb containing the queen and a few bees -over one of the holes in the crown of this new empty hive. The bees -that were left abroad, belonging to the old stock returned as usual to -their old entrance as they supposed; soon a sufficient number formed a -large cluster in the hive and began comb building, the queen remaining -in the glass until the cells below were sufficiently numerous for her -to deposit her eggs in them. The division answered exceedingly well, -both hives prospered; the old hive either had some princesses coming -forward to supply the loss of the queen, or the bees used a power that -they possess of raising a queen from worker brood in the manner we have -previously described.[5] - -[Footnote 5: See Section 1, page 5.] - -The foregoing account illustrates the successful formation of an -artificial swarm; but with a cottage hive it was quite a matter of -accident to have been able to get possession of the queen. With a -moveable frame hive she can at any suitable time be found. - -Precisely the same plan is to be adopted with the old stock in the -frame hive as we have described in the case of the cottage hive, that -is to remove it some few paces off: when the hives are in a bee-house, -a similar result may be attained by placing the new swarm for a day or -two to the entrance used by the bees when with the old stock, and the -old stock may be removed to an approximate entrance. Some apiarians -recommend that a space be left between the two hives, by placing the -hives on the right and left of the old entrance, in order that too -large a proportion of bees should not enter the new hive at the old -position to the impoverishment of the other. But we have found the mode -adopted with the cottage hive answer so well, that we see no reason for -recommending any different plan. - -It is the office of the bee-master to assist, not to go in the least -degree contrary to nature. We know that when a natural swarm issues -forth it has its impregnated queen, and when located in a new abode -commences building worker combs, and leaves the building of the few -drone combs to a later period; but if a division of the hive should be -made by putting half the combs in one hive and half in another, the -hive containing the queenless or embryo queen will busy itself with -building only drone comb, thus a number of receptacles for useless bees -is provided, which tends to weakness, and eventually to loss of the -hive. - -In the plan we have recommended for forming two separate families, we -nearly follow the natural state of things; the comb that the queen is -upon is the only one that is taken from the hive, and this vacancy -should be filled in by moving the frames together so as to leave -the empty frame at the end. The bees, under the government of the -impregnated queen, construct the combs and furnish their new abode, -which, as before stated, they will do with worker cells. - -By adopting the plan above described, the moveable bar and frame hive -will prove far superior to any of the dividing hives, which provide for -equal division of the combs. - -Perhaps the greatest advantage the moveable frame hive possesses is, -that a full knowledge can be attained of its exact state as regards the -queen, the population and the quantity of food in stock. During weather -of a genial temperature, the combs may on any fine day be inspected, -and thus a knowledge being gained of the deficiency existing in a hive, -the necessary means may be adopted for supplying the want. Sometimes -such an examination will verify the fears of the bee-keeper, when, -having observed that his bees have ceased to carry in pollen, he has -thereby received warning that the queen has been lost at some juncture -when no successor to the throne could be provided. Such a hive has -entered on a downward course, and will dwindle away entirely unless a -queen should be given to it, or else, some combs containing young brood -not more than three days old. By the latter method the bee-keeper -will gain an opportunity of seeing the bees set about their wonderful -process of raising a queen from the brood thus provided for them. - -When a bee-keeper has become skilful in his calling, he may be desirous -to encourage the breeding of queens, or rather of preventing their -destruction. He will seek to use the propagating instincts of the -worker bees as a set off against that innate hatred of rivalry which -prompts the reigning queen to kill the tender royal brood. - -Hives found to be queenless may be supplied either with matured queens -or with queen cells. If the latter are sufficiently numerous, their -introduction may easily be effected by exchanging a comb in each hive; -if they have to be cut out and placed loosely in the new hive, a -triangular piece of comb should then be removed with them, to be used -as a block in preventing any pressure coming on them. A space must be -cut out of the middle in the centre combs of the hive into which they -are to be introduced. Special care must be taken not to bruise the -royal embryos, as they are particularly sensitive to pressure. - -A very great advantage that the Woodbury bar and frame-hive possesses, -is the safety and convenience with which a stock of bees can in it -be transported to any part of the kingdom; and, by a few additional -arrangements, stocks have been sent in it to distant countries. In many -districts hives are removed to moors and heaths in autumn, for the -purpose of gathering heather honey. In this operation the frames are -a great support to the combs, very much lessening the risk of a break -down and consequent loss. - -From a hive that has been inhabited all the winter, we have not -unfrequently lifted out the frames and removed the stock to a clean -hive, and we believe that the change has always been useful. The bees -find a clean floorboard and a clean hive to breed in, free from insects -that may have harboured in crevices about the hive. When the change -has been made, the old hive can be thoroughly cleaned, and used in the -same way for making the exchange with another stock. The process for -handling will, of course, be the same as before described. We have -found that where this plan has been carried out, that the bees seem to -progress faster. Perhaps a little stirring up may be useful in arousing -them from the winter doze; the time we recommend for doing this is the -beginning of April, but a fine warm day should be chosen. - - -DRIVING. - -Driving is an operation by which bees are induced to vacate an old -settled hive and to enter an empty one. Many apiarians prefer this mode -of effecting an exchange of hives to the plan of fumigating the bees. - -The greatest success attending such a transfer will be in the case of -hives well filled with combs that are worked nearly to the floorboard; -and it may be remarked that bees are generally so far provident, that -they leave an open space in which to pass underneath their combs over -all the floor of the hive. When the old hive is inverted, the bees -crawl up the combs, and thus more easily pass up into the new hive, -which the operator places over the old one with the intent that they -should enter it. - -The best time for performing this operation is about the middle of -the day, and when the weather is warm. It is essential that the -operator be protected with a bee-dress and gloves, as before described; -and previous to commencing his task, he must provide all necessary -implements. These are:--a couple of hives, one of which should -correspond in shape and size with the hive from which the bees are to -be driven; a cloth to tie round at the junction when the new hive is -placed on the old one; some string to keep the cloth in its place; -an empty pail to receive the top of the old hive, if one of the old -conical shape, but if the stock of bees is in a square box hive with a -flat top, a firm stool will be the best; and a No. 12 fumigator with -some fungus, which will complete the material of war. The bucket or -stool must be placed securely on the ground about a yard from the place -where the full hive stands; then a few puff's of smoke being blown in -amongst the bees, will cause them to retreat up amongst the combs. The -bee-master will now turn the hive[6] upside down very gently, letting -it rest in the pail or on the stool; he then quickly places the empty -hive over the full one, and ties the cloth round it to prevent any -escape of the bees. If the cloth be damped, it will cling the closer -to the hives. The third hive is intended to be placed on the stand -formerly occupied by the stock, so as to retain the few returning -bees which had been absent in the fields. Care must be taken that all -crevices through which it is possible for the bees to escape from the -united hives should be effectually closed. When the two are fairly -united, the operator will proceed by rapping the full hive gently with -the hands or a couple of sticks, more particularly on that side where -the combs are the most thickly placed--that is, if the hive be not -equally filled. - -[Footnote 6: Care should be exercised in turning the hives over to keep -the combs vertical, or they are likely to break from their foundations.] - -It generally happens that in about fifteen minutes the bees regularly -commence the ascent; their exodus will be known by the distinct rushing -sound which is always noticed when a colony of bees is on the move. -The first thing bees do when disturbed is to till their honey bags, as -they invariably do at swarming time, consequently after the first rush -into the new hive is over, as in the case of a swarm, the "flitting" -bees are not much disposed to take wing. When the noise made by the -ascending bees has been heard, and has in good degree subsided, the -cloth may be removed, and the old hive, now deserted, may be taken -indoors, and if a few bees yet remain, they may be brushed off with a -feather. An experienced apiarian on first hearing the rushing noise -before mentioned, will not hesitate to tilt the top hive over a little -on one side, so that he may watch the bees during the ascent; the queen -may be seen passing up, and if the operator desires to take her away, -he can secure her by placing a wine glass over her. This expedient is -often resorted to in the autumn when stocks are to be united, for in -such a case the removal of the queen prevents some fighting. - -If the taking of the honey be the object of the bee-master, then -"driving" is manifestly a better plan than to resort to the fumes of -sulphur for the purpose; for the bees from whom their store is taken, -can be joined to stocks that are weak in numbers, with considerable -advantage to the future prosperity of the apiary. - -When the removed bees are to be joined to another stock, the operator -will proceed as follows:--At dusk, dislodge the bees on to a cloth, -sprinkle them with sweet syrup, and place the hive to which it is -intended to join them, over the mass; they will gradually ascend into -the hive placed for them, and early next morning the hive, with its -slender stock thus augmented, may be removed to its stand. Should the -operator not have been successful, or not sufficiently skilful to -gain possession of the queen, he may leave it to the bees themselves -to decide which queen they will have. By this plan of "driving," -artificial swarms may be secured by an "expert" even in common hives, -though those do not afford the facilities for such a purpose as do the -bar, or bar-and-frame, hives. - - -CHANGING OLD STOCKS TO NEW HIVES. - -We frequently find that the possessor of a stock of bees in a -cottager's common straw hive is desirous of removing the whole stock of -bees and comb into one of our improved hives, in which the honey may -be obtained without the destruction of the bees. We mostly discourage -such a transfer, attended as it is with much labour, and requiring a -considerable amount of apiarian skill. An old fashioned hive may very -readily be rendered a humane one, simply by cutting out with a sharp -pointed knife the middle of the top of the hive; a piece may thus -easily be taken out, so as to leave a round hole two or three inches -in diameter, but care must be taken that the knife does not penetrate -much below the straw, lest it reach the comb or the bees--and it will -be safer for the operator to have a bee-dress on. There should be ready -a round adapting board, with a corresponding hole, which may be secured -on the top by putting four long nails through the same number of holes -in the board; then a cap hive or a glass may be placed on the top, for -the purpose of admitting the bees, who will soon crowd therein to work. - -This hive or glass will form a super or depriving hive, and can be -worked as profitably as most of the improved hives. Per the sake of an -improved appearance, an outside case, either of zinc, straw, or wood, -may be dropped over all, and then, if well painted, the whole will form -no disfigurement to any flower garden. - -This is beyond doubt the easiest way of overcoming the difficulty, but -as it may not satisfy all, we now proceed to describe how a complete -transfer may be made. No hive offers such facilities for the correct -placing of the combs in a perfectly upright position as does the bar -and frame hive. As before remarked, we should be slow to recommend -any one to attempt the operation who is not already pretty well -accustomed to the handling of bees and acquainted with their habits; -but by carefully carrying out the following directions any one may -successfully perform the feat. The first thing is to get the bees away -from the combs; there are two ways of doing this, one is by fumigation -(see page 60), the other by driving (see page 84). Whichever plan may -be resorted to, have the bees confined in the old hive on their stand -until you are quite ready to admit them into the bar and frame hive. -Have in readiness all the necessary appliances: these consist of a -large knife for cutting the hive, a good sized table on which to lay -the brood combs, a basin of water--for washing off honey which may -besmear the hands,--tape or cotton string to fasten the combs in their -frames, a pair of honey cutters for cutting out the combs, jars to -hold the honey that runs out, and a feather for brushing off any bees -that may remain. It is necessary that the operator should have on his -bee-dress, and India-rubber gloves. Then begin by slicing off a piece -of the hive with a sharp table knife; carefully cut out the working -combs--cut them large, so that they will squeeze into the frames; and -to be more secure, wind some of the tape round to keep them in position -until made fast by the bees. After a few days, these fastenings may be -removed. Care should be taken that the combs occupy the same position -in the frames as in the hive from which they were extracted. Having -thus prepared the hive, the bees may be let into it. It may be as well -to keep them confined a few hours, giving them water at the top, until -they make the combs secure; the new hive will then be less likely -to offer an attraction to bees from other hives who, if feloniously -inclined, might come to rob. This transfer should be made when the -weather is such that the bees can fly about; when not warm enough, -it should be done in a room at a temperature of about 70 degrees. An -expert apiarian could perform the operation in less than three quarters -of an hour, and with little loss. A week or so after a swarm has left -the old stock is perhaps the very best time for such a removal. Should -the operation be performed in the open air, the bees from surrounding -hives will be sure to come in great numbers to obtain a share of the -honey necessarily exposed, for they delight in plunder. In order, -therefore, to avoid annoyance to the operator, and the excitement which -is certain to be induced in surrounding hives, it is better to conduct -the dissection in some building with closed doors. In some instances a -routing of this kind has a beneficial effect; old stocks of hives that -have previously appeared to be dwindling, are often aroused to activity -by their removal into a fresh domicile. - - -WEIGHING HIVES, &c. - -One of the most effectual modes of ascertaining the condition of a hive -is by weighing it. Such knowledge is most important at the close of the -gathering season, in order that the bee-keeper may determine whether he -ought to give his bees artificial food to enable them to live through -the dreary winter. A knowledge of the numerical strength of the colony -is also useful, in enabling the bee-keeper to decide which hives will -be benefited by being joined together, which may be done on the plan -explained in the articles on "Fumigation" and "Driving." - -A hive can very easily be weighed, if a Salter's Spring Balance be -suspended near the apiary. The hive, having a strap or cord passed -under and over it, and crossing at right angles on the top, may be -hooked on to the balance, so that the weight will be indicated on the -dial. The weight of the hive should be marked on it when empty, so that -the exact amount of its contents may at any time be ascertained. A -colony of bees at Michaelmas ought to weigh from 20 to 24 pounds, that -is, exclusive of the hive; if falling short of that weight, the hive -should be made up to it by the artificial means before recommended. - -Experienced apiarians are able to judge of the weight of a hive by -lifting it a few inches from the stand; or by looking in at the windows -of a stock hive, a conclusive opinion may be formed as to the state of -the colony. If the combs within view be well filled and sealed, it will -be safe to consider that the hive contains sufficient stores to carry -the bees through the winter. - - - - -V. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. - - -STINGS: THEIR PREVENTION AND CURE. - -Some of our readers may deem us neglectful in having, as it were, left -them to struggle through their bee-keeping novitiate without informing -them how to avoid being stung by their docile but well armed flock. -Of course, having described the bee-dress, we have supposed that -the apiarian was clad, if not "in complete steel," at least, in the -head-gear and gloves, which will render him invulnerable. The best -safeguard from the anger of bees--as indeed from the malice of men--is -a quiet and peaceable spirit. The apiarian will learn to handle his -bees not only as "if he loved them,"--as the quaint angler says--but as -if he fully believes that the bees love him. This they will do whenever -he approaches and treats them gently. There are some cases of exception -to this generally peaceable disposition of the bee; sometimes a few -bees are dyspeptic, and refuse to be pacified--let their master seek -to bribe them never so wisely. Then, too, sometimes the bee-master -himself may be dyspeptic, which the unerring olfactory sense of the -bees speedily detects, and their anger is immediately aroused. Some -few persons, owing to constitutional peculiarities in their breath or -insensible perspiration, are objects of constant animosity with bees, -who by driving them from the apiary, are giving a physician's advice -without charge for a fee. Some of the choicest perfumes used by ladies -are offensive to bees: and one may feel very certain that the "fine -puss gentleman," who disgusted the brave Hotspur with his "pouncet -box" and praise of "'parmaceti for an inward bruise," would have been -speedily driven from an apiary in ignominious flight. Occasionally, -even a skilful apiarian may inadvertently crush a single bee; such a -mischance is detected by the community with much more facility than by -any "crowner's quest," and their prompt verdict decrees the summary -punishment of the offender. There would be much less fear of stings if -it were always remembered that bees are never aggressive. "Defence, not -defiance," is their motto. They scarcely ever attempt to sting when -away from the hive, and very seldom indeed at the time of swarming, -for then they are gorged with honey. When molested by angry bees, the -safest and best retreat is a green bush. Thrust your head into this, -and the bees will soon leave you. - -Yet some people appear to think they must inevitably be stung if they -meddle with bees; and for their sakes it is needful to explain why -it is that a sting is painful, and how the wound inflicted by the -bee may be cured. Those familiar with the usual microscopic objects -will know how marvellously delicate, and yet effective, is the -mechanical structure of a bee's sting. This weapon as we see it with -our naked eye--finer than a needle's point--is only the sheath, which -lengthens or contracts like the tubes of a telescope. From the sheath -is projected the dart, which is double, each half of it piercing -alternately deeper into the wound made by the sheath. The dart is -barbed on each side, so that the bee when very angry is scarcely ever -able to withdraw it:-- - - "Deems life itself to vengeance well resigned; - Dies on the wound, and leaves the sting behind." - -If the patient who receives the sting could only take it patiently, it -would not prove half the inconvenience to him that often is the case. -There are indeed some happy mortals whose "blood such an even tenour -keeps," that a bee-sting is to them simply a puncture, and nothing -more. Dr. Bevan has suggested that lovers should subject themselves to -the ordeal of a bee-sting, in order to prove, we suppose, that their -temper is proof against "the _stings_ and arrows of any outrageous -fortune" that matrimony can bring. - -It is the homœpathically minute tincture of poison injected by the -bee which causes inflammation. The first thing to do is to remove -the sting, which, even when detached from the bee, will continue to -penetrate still further into the wound. Next, press the hollow point -of a watch-key exactly over the place stung; this will express a -considerable portion of the virus. Then dip the hand or bathe the part -with cold or tepid water, for the poison is volatile, and will thereby -be dissipated to a great extent. On no account whatever should the part -affected be rubbed; to do that will diffuse the poison, and increase -the inflammation. The specific remedy for a bee-sting is taught us -by chemistry: the venom is an acid, which an alkali will immediately -neutralize when brought into contact with it. Spirits of hartshorn -will generally be found effectual for the purpose, and should always -be kept in an apiary. There are also several other remedies, more or -less effectual, according to the special constitution of the patient. A -strong infusion of tobacco water applied to the wound after the sting -has been extracted, is a specific for many persons; others find relief -from the application of a sliced onion. - -We have heard the remark from several who have kept bees for years, -that the poison from a sting has little or no effect on them; after -receiving many inflictions, their flesh appears to become so little -affected that the swelling and pain at one time experienced no longer -trouble them. - - -POLLEN; OR, FOOD FOR INFANT BEES. - -Bees, when fully grown, feed almost wholly on honey; but the larvæ -require for their development a more substantial kind of nourishment. -Such solid fare is found by the bees in the pollen of flowers, a farina -which contains some of those nitrogenous elements in which honey is -deficient. The body of a worker-bee is covered with hairs, to which the -pollen adheres when, by contact with the bee, it is rubbed from the -anthers and stamens of flowers. The bee with its fore legs then brushes -it off, and moulds it into the pellet shape suitable for carrying it in -the "baskets" or grooves on its thighs. Dewy mornings or humid bowers -suit the bees for the gathering of the pollen. If the atmosphere be too -dry for kneading it into pellets, they roll themselves in the blossoms, -and trust to the good offices of the bees at home, who, on their -return, brush off the farina into the cells intended for it, A portion -of this "bee bread" is taken at once by the "nursing bees," which are -supposed to subject it to some change before offering it to the larvæ; -but the greater part of the pollen is stored away, and sealed over in -the cells for future use. In April and May the bees are frequently busy -"all the day" in gathering pollen, and often one community of bees will -collect about twenty pounds weight of "bee bread" in one season. - -One of the objects of the apiarian is to assist the bees in -providing for the nurselings of the hive. A German pastor, Heer -Dzierzon, first suggested the plan of providing the bees with -"unbolted rye meal" as a substitute for the farina of flowers. He -had observed that, in early spring before the flowers were open, his -bees had entered a neighbouring corn mill, from whence they returned -laden with rye flour. Since his discovery, most bee-keepers in early -spring place either rye or wheat meal near the apiaries; to this -artificial store the bees repair by thousands, and seem to rollick in -the enjoyment of so much plenty, many of them returning to the hive as -dusty as millers. The object in thus supplying them is, that the brood -may be rapidly brought forward and early swarming induced. In this -way, a few pounds of rye meal at one penny per pound may tend to the -production of very many pounds of honey of twelve times the price. - -In gathering pollen from flowers, bees are doing more than merely -providing for their own community. Whilst humming through our gardens -they are assisting to propagate our flowers, and their merry buzz in -our orchards indicates that the blossoms of spring will in autumn -fulfil their promise by abundance of fruit. In Mr. Darwin's remarkable -work, "The Fertilization of Orchids," the mystery of the fructification -of flowers is scientifically explained; but before the subject was -so fully understood, it was quite believed that bees in passing from -flower to flower performed some important service. Owners of fruit -trees have noticed, in a season generally unfavourable for the orchard, -that if during only one fine forenoon the bees had spread freely -amongst the blossoms of a particular tree, that it would prove more -fruitful than its fellows. On this account the orchard is a good place -for an apiary, for it seems--more abundant the honey, more plentiful -will be the fruit. Bees bear the fructifying matter from one sex of -flowers to the other, but they confine their attention to one kind of -flower during each excursion: and the careful observer may see how the -colour of the pollen on the bodies of the bees will vary from yellow to -red and brown, according to the kind of flowers from which it has been -gathered. The gathering of pollen, its use by the nursing bees, and the -storing of it in the cells, afford to the bee-keeper opportunity for -observations of exceeding interest. - - -PROPOLIS; OR, BEES' CEMENT. - -The old notion that wax is gathered by bees from flowers as they gather -honey, has long since been set aside by the discoveries of Hornbostel -and Huber. Wax is an oily substance secreted from the honey in the -bodies of the bees, on which it forms in thin flakes. But there is "a -resinous substance, very tenacious and semi-transparent," which is -indispensable for the bees as a cement wherewith to fix their combs -and fortify their hives against intruders, and this is "propolis." -The bees, in working the propolis, often soften it by blending it -with a portion of wax; but they have to extract it in its natural -state directly from the bark and buds of certain trees. The bark of -the willow, the leaf buds of the poplar and alder, and the unopened -blossoms of the hollyhock, are very usual sources of propolis. In the -case of a new swarm, as bees must have this glue before they can -begin to build their combs, they will resort to most unlikely places -to obtain it. Sometimes they will enter a paint shop and attack the -varnish, and it is said they have been seen to obtain propolis from the -pitch and rigging of a ship. These circumstances afford intelligible -hints to the apiarian, who, if his bees have not easy access to firs, -poplars, or willows, will provide some glutinous or resinous matter -which may serve for a substitute. The extracting of the propolis costs -the bees very considerable labour, which they should be relieved of -as much as possible, in order to facilitate their great work of honey -gathering. Bees choose the warmer part of the day during which to -gather propolis, as then it does not so rapidly stiffen. Frequently -when they arrive at the hive it has become so hard that the other bees -are scarcely able to gnaw it from their thighs. - -With propolis bees fasten down their hives, stop up crevices to exclude -moths and ants, and sometimes use it to narrow the entrance of their -hive against the invasion of wasps. Extraordinary anecdotes are told -of the prompt and ingenious use they make of this substance. Reaumur -relates that a snail having been observed by the bees on the window -of the hive, they proceeded to glue the shell to the glass, and there -sealed down the intruder in hopeless durance. In another case, that of -a slug, or snail without a shell, the bees having slain it with their -stings, were quite unable to remove it from the hive. With wonderful -foresight, they then proceeded to secure their community from the -noxious effects likely to arise from the decay of the carcase; and -this they did by completely enveloping it with a coating of impervious -varnish. Huish relates a similar occurrence in the case of a mouse -caught in a hive by bees. Propolis yields benzoic acid, and contains -some aromatic properties. - - - -PASTURAGE FOR BEES. - - "Bees work for man; and yet they never bruise - Their master's flower, but leave it, having done, - As fair as ever, and as fit for use" - -Apiarians generally agree in the opinion that very little can be done -in the way of providing any special forage for bees. Yet bee-fanciers -are always interested in observing which the flowers are that the bees -prefer; and there are certain well established conclusions as to the -kind of district and season which are the likeliest to produce a good -honey harvest. There is an old saying that a country which produces -the finest wool also yields the best honey; and a pastoral district is -decidedly better than one under tillage. The principle of the matter -is, that the bees are best suited with a long dry season--an early -spring, a hot summer, and a late autumn. As not one of these blessings -can be commanded by the apiarian, his art must be applied to provide -some mitigation of the injury suffered by the bees when the season is -short or wet. For early spring, the crocus, the blue hepatica, and the -violet, all afford good supplies of honey, and if cultivated near the -apiary, will be of great service when the wild flowers are backward. -All varieties of the willow and poplar furnish early supplies of honey, -as well as of the propolis of which we have spoken; the blossoms of -the gooseberry and currant are very useful for the bees in May. Wet, -when it enters flowers of any kind, prevents the proboscis of the bee -from reaching the secret source of honey. On this account, it is well -to know, as does the bee, that the drooping blossoms of the raspberry -escape the effect of the showers, and honey is gathered from them when -other flowers are drenched within as well as without. For a similar -reason, the borage (_borago officinalis_) is valuable for bees; and, -also, because that plant continues to flower until the frosts set in. -The honey both from raspberry blossoms and borage is very superior. Mr. -Langstroth says that "the precipitous and rocky lands of New England, -which abound with the wild red raspberry, might be made almost as -valuable as some of the vine-clad terraces of the mountain districts -of Europe." The "golden rod," and also asters, afford superior honey -for autumn gathering. Dzierzon strongly recommends buck-wheat being -sown in the winter stubbles on behalf of the bees, and he tries hard -to persuade farmers that it is to their interest to cultivate it. It -should be named that all the ordinary fruit blossoms, especially those -of the apple, supply abundant store for bees. - -It is, however, to wild or field flowers that the bee-master must -chiefly look for the raw material on which his myriad artisans shall -exert their skill. The white clover of the pasture--the wild thyme -on the hill--the heather on the moors--the furze and the broom on -the sandy waste--offer exhaustless stores for a greater number of -bees than can ever be located near them. There are also two or three -peculiar sources of honey which one would not have suspected, as, for -instance the blossoms of the onion plant, of turnips, and in still -greater degree, the flower of the mustard plant. In those districts -of England where mustard seed is cultivated so extensively, it would -be well worth while for the farmers to keep large colonies of bees. -Another, but a very uncertain source of honey, is the "honey-dew," -which in some seasons appears in large quantities on the leaves of the -oak, the lime, and some other trees. - -It is important to mention that bees in the principal breeding season -require a plentiful supply of water. Owing either to their carelessness -or eagerness, they are frequently drowned when drinking from any large -quantity of water; the bee-keeper should, therefore, place near the -hives shallow vessels of water containing pebbles, on which the bees -may alight to take frequent but temperate draughts. - - -THE LIGURIAN OR ITALIAN ALP-BEE. - -A new, or rather a re-discovered, variety of bee has recently been -brought into practical use amongst apiarians in Germany and America, as -well as in this country. The ordinary bee is the _Apis Mellifica_ of -naturalists; the new kind is the _Apis Ligustica_. It was also named -"The Ligurian Bee" by the Marquis de Spinola, who found it in Piedmont -in 1805; and he considered it to be the principal species known to -the Greeks, who speak of the "best kind" of bee as being of a red -colour. Leading apiarians agree in pronouncing these bees to be justly -entitled to the high character given to them. Their special advantages -are--greater fecundity of the queens, less irascibility, and a more -handsome appearance, for being of a golden colour, they are prettier -than our black bees. - -Our own experience with the Italian Alp-bee enables us to corroborate -the statements which have been made in favour of this new variety. We -find the queens more prolific than those of the common kind, and the -quantity of honey produced is greater. These two facts stand as cause -and effect; the bees being multiplied more quickly, the store of honey -is accumulated more rapidly, and the Italian bees consume, if anything, -less food than the common kind. When of pure Italian blood, these bees -are by some apiarians thought to be hardier than our own. That they -forage for stores with greater eagerness, and have little hesitation in -paying visits to other hives, we can testify from our own observation. -The following anecdote will illustrate their intrusive propensities. -Another bee-keeper living in the neighbourhood of our apiary, when -inspecting our hives, observed the yellow bees; he exclaimed, "Now I -have found out where those strange-looking bees come from; for," said -he, "these yellow-jackets are incessant visitors to my hives. I thought -they were a species of wasps that had come to rob, and until now I have -been unable to account for their appearance at the entrance of my hive, -so that I have killed them by hundreds." This was not at all pleasing -intelligence for us, and we trust that our neighbour has been more -lenient to "the yellow-jackets" since his visit. We are inclined to -believe that more visiting takes place amongst bees of different hives -than bee-keepers have been accustomed to suppose; where the Italian and -black bees are kept near each other, the foreigners being conspicuous -by their lighter colour, there is less difficulty in identifying them -when at the entrances of other hives. - -This season (1864) we have had more honey from a Ligurian stock than -from any one of our colonies of black bees. From this Ligurian hive -we have taken a glass super containing 40 lbs. nett of honey, besides -having drawn from it an artificial swarm; and, after all, it remains -the strongest hive in our apiary. - -The Baron Von Berlepsch and Pastor Dzierzon, who are probably the two -most intelligent and skilful bee-keepers of Germany, award to the -Italian a very decided preference over the common bees. The Baron says -that he has found:--1. That the Italian bees are less sensitive to -cold than the common kind. 2. That their queens are more prolific. 3. -That the colonies swarm earlier and more frequently. 4. That they are -less apt to sting. 5. They are more industrious. 6. That they are more -disposed to rob than common bees, and more courageous and active in -self defence. They strive, whenever opportunity offers, to force their -way into colonies of common bees; but when strange bees attack their -hives, they fight with great fierceness, and with incredible adroitness. - -It is said, that the Italian bee can extract honey from some flowers -which the common bee is unable to penetrate. For instance, the blossom -tubes of the red clover being too deep for the proboscis of the common -bee, that flower is useless to them, although so plentiful; but, says -Mr. Langstroth, the American apiarian, the Italian bee visits the red -clover assiduously, and draws large quantities of honey from it.[7] - -[Footnote 7: This opinion is not held by the closest observer of -Italian bees in England.] - -The introduction of this new variety of bee into England was through -our agency. M. Hermann, a bee cultivator at Tamins-by-Chur, Canton -Grison, Switzerland, wrote to us on the 5th July, 1859, offering to -supply us with Italian Alp queen bees. This letter, or an extract from -it, appeared in the current number of the _Journal of Horticulture_, -(then called the _Cottage Gardener_,) a periodical that regularly -opens its columns to apiarian subjects. Prior to this the _Italian -Alp_, or as it has been named the "Ligurian" bee, was unknown in -this country, except to a few naturalists. The letter referred to -attracted the attention of that intelligent apiarian T. W. Woodbury, -Esq., now so well known as the "Devonshire Bee-keeper." On the 19th -of July, that is a fortnight after Mr. Hermann's offer, we received a -consignment of Italian Alp bees, being the first imported into England, -with these, Mr. Woodbury also received one queen-bee and a few workers, -which he introduced into a hive of English bees from which the queen -had been taken. His efforts were very successful, and "the spring -of 1860 found him in possession of four Ligurianized stocks." His -subsequent experience with the Italian Alp bee he has fully described -in a communication to _The Bath and West of England Agricultural -Journal_. - -Subsequently Mr. Hermann sent us a copy of his pamphlet entitled "The -Italian Alp Bee; or, the _Gold Mine of Husbandry_," with the request -that we should have it translated from the German, and that copies of -it should be printed in the English language. The pamphlet was speedily -published by us, and although singular as a literary production, it may -be useful for the advanced apiarian. - -Certainly the bees are partially of an orange or golden colour, and if -one could believe the golden anticipations indulged in by Mr. Hermann -respecting them, it would be sufficient to identify the Italian Alp bee -as the species described by Hood in Miss Kilmansegg;--those which dwelt -in - - "A golden hive, on a golden bank, - Where golden bees, by alchemical prank, - Gather gold instead of honey." - -Poor Hermann himself did not profit by the discovery of the mine. His -enthusiasm for the culture of the Alpine bee instead of wafting him -to El Dorado appears to have driven him to the prosaic retreat of a -debtor's prison. By the latest accounts we learn that--his ardent -spirit chafing against his incarceration,--he had made an attempt to -escape, and in doing so, fell from the prison walls and broke both -legs. We understand that he has since died. - -In the pamphlet referred to, Mr. Hermann gives the following -description of what he insists on designating as _Apis Helvetica_:-- -"The yellow Italian Alp-bee is a mountain insect; it is found between -two mountain chains to the right and left of Lombardy and the Rhetian -Alps, and comprises the whole territory of Tessins, Veltlin, and -South-Graubunden. It thrives up to the height of 4,500 feet above the -level of the sea, and appears to prefer the northern clime to the -warmer, for in the south of Italy it is not found. The Alps are their -native country, therefore they are called _Yellow Alp-bee_, or tame -house bees, in contra distinction to the black European bees, whom we -might call common forest bees, and who, on the slightest touch, fly -like lightning into your face.(?) - -"As all good and noble things in the world are more scarce than common -ones, so there are more common black bees than of the noble yellow -race, which latter inhabit only a very small piece of country, while -the black ones are at home everywhere in Europe, and even in America." - -Notwithstanding the death of M. Hermann, we shall in future be able to -supply all bee-keepers, who may wish to possess stocks of the genuine -yellow Alpine bees. - -The Italian varies but little from the common bees in its physical -characteristics. The difference in appearance consists in the first -rings of the abdomen, except the posterior edge, and the base of the -third--being of an orange colour instead of a deep brown. These orange -coloured parts are transparent when closely examined with the sun -shining on them. The Italian bees are more active than common bees when -on the wing. - -During the summers of 1859 and 1860 we had over from the Continent a -great number of Ligurian queens; these were sent to all parts of the -kingdom. We regret to say that but few were successfully united to -English stocks. It requires a considerable amount of apiarian skill to -accomplish the union, so that we find by experience it is best to send -out complete Ligurian stocks. This is particularly desirable now that -the packing of whole hives is so easily accomplished by us with the aid -of bars and frames. We have sent a great number of stocks to all parts -by rail. - -Mr. Woodbury, owing to his knowledge and skill in bee-keeping, was -eminently successful in propagating the Ligurian bees first imported -into this country; and we would recommend all who may be interested in -the subject, to peruse the interesting articles written by him in the -_Journal of Horticulture_. He has shown great patience and energy by -his labours in the rearing of queens and the multiplication of stocks, -for which he merits all praise. On the other hand, Mr. Woodbury has -to thank the Ligurian bees for the development of his own skill, for -although prior to this he was a valued correspondent to the before -named Journal, his commencement of scientific bee-keeping must be dated -from the time of their introduction. - -We now add to the other testimonies already cited, that of Mr. Woodbury -as to the superior qualities of the Ligurian bees. The following is -extracted from a paper contributed by him to the _Bath and West of -England Agricultural Journal_:--"From my strongest Ligurian stock I -took eight artificial swarms in the spring, besides depriving it of -numerous brood-combs. Finding in June that the bees were collecting -honey so fast that the queen could not find an empty cell in which to -lay an egg, I was reluctantly compelled to put on a super. When this -had been filled with. 88 lbs. of the finest honey-comb,[8] I removed -it, and as the stock-hive (a very large one) could not contain the -multitude of bees which issued from it, I formed them into another very -large artificial swarm. The foregoing facts speak for themselves; but -as information on this point has been very generally asked, I have no -hesitation in saying that I believe the Ligurian honey-bee infinitely -superior in every respect to the only species that we have hitherto -been acquainted with." - -[Footnote 8: This super was exhibited at our stand in the International -Exhibition of 1862.] - -After such decided testimony as this, corroborated, as it is, by many -other observers, there seems every reason to expect that the Ligurian -bee will gradually supersede the common kind throughout the United -Kingdom. - - -LIVING BEES AT THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF 1862, SENDING BEES TO -AUSTRALIA, &c. - -[Illustration] - -The engraving represents our stand in the Agricultural Department of -the International Exhibition of 1862. The space granted us in the -World's great Fair was somewhat limited; but we were able to exhibit -a tolerably complete stock of apiarian apparatus and all the more -important bee-hives. Amongst these was a Unicomb Hive stocked with -the Yellow Alpine or "Ligurian" bee. This was an object of great -attention, and daily hundreds of visitors flocked round our stand in -order to watch the movements of the Italian queen with her gay and busy -subjects. The entrance way for the bees being in the "Open Court," to -which all visitors had access, it was necessary to place the hive in an -elevated position, so as for it to be beyond the reach of incautious -passers by, and to obviate any chance of annoyance to the vast crowds -of people continually around. - -Among others who took a deep interest in our exhibition, was Mr. Edward -Wilson, President of the Acclimatisation Society of Victoria. This -gentleman requested us to pack four stocks of the Ligurian bees for -conveyance to Melbourne. With the assistance of Mr. Woodbury--whose -aid was, indeed, essential--these stocks were sent off on the 25th of -September, 1862, by the steam ship Alhambra, so as to arrive at the -colony during the Austral summer. The hives were Woodbury-frame hives, -having ample space and ventilation, as well as the means of supplying -water to their inmates during the voyage; there was, also, a sufficient -store of honey to last until the following March. The bees arrived at -Melbourne, where they were released after an imprisonment of seventy -nine days, and have since rapidly multiplied, the climate and pasturage -of Australia greatly favouring the increase of this superior variety of -the bee. - -Mr. Wilson was so well pleased with the careful manner in which these -stocks were fitted out for their voyage across the seas, that he -subsequently instructed us to prepare him three more hives, which were -sent out in a sailing vessel. Owing to the mismanagement of the water -supply during the voyage, only one stock survived in this instance. - -Upwards of twenty years ago, we sent a Nutt's Hive stocked with bees -to New Zealand. We then adopted the plan of fixing the hive in a meat -safe, so that the bees could fly about a little, and also cleanse -the hive of their dead, for bees are very attentive to sanitary -arrangements; they always remove the dead ones from their midst, and do -not void excrement within the hive. - -When bees are shut up in their hives too long, they are apt to be -attacked by a disease called by apiarians--dysentery. Sometimes when -confined by the unfavourableness of the weather in winter or the -lateness of spring, this disease produces serious mischief amongst the -bees. Various remedies have been recommended; but we believe the best -is to see that there is wholesome food within the hive, and plenty of -it, and when fine weather returns, the health of the bees will return -with it. Dampness of the hives, and too late feeding in the autumn, are -also frequent causes of this disease. - - -BEE-KEEPING IN LONDON. - -There are many persons now in this noisy city pent, who frequently -remember the days of childhood when, among pastures of clover or amidst -flowery heath and woodlands, they listened to the cheerful hum of bees. -Partly from a desire to revive those old associations, and also from a -natural liking for the tendance of living creatures, such persons would -be glad to keep bees if they thought it possible to do so in London -or its suburbs with any chance of success. We do not wonder that many -should doubt even the possibility of bees feeding themselves amidst -such an "endless meal of brick;" but we can easily prove that bees, -if not placed too near to smoky chimneys, are able to produce honey, -both for themselves and for their masters. To make this plain, we will -mention some special instances of metropolitan bee-keeping. - -About ninety years ago, a Mr. Wildman kept a bee-house and honey -warehouse near to Middle Row, Holborn. He was not only a tradesman, but -was also the apiarian of his day. He kept hives of thriving bees on -the roof of his house in Holborn, and many of the nobility and gentry -used to mount thither in order to inspect the apiary. At that period, -St. Pancras was a "village two miles north-west of London," and what -is now the Regent's Park was open country. It was then much easier for -London bees to find their favourite forage, but Mr. Wildman believed -that his hives were filled with stores from a considerable distance. -Whilst enjoying his country rambles on Hampstead Heath, he had a -shrewd suspicion that many of the bees he there observed gathering -honey were Labourers from his own apiary. In order to identify his -own flock amongst the rest, he hit upon a homely but very effective -expedient. Having borrowed Mrs. Wildman's "dredging box," he stationed -himself near the entrance of his hives, and gently dusted his bees with -flour as they issued forth. He then betook himself to Hampstead, where -he found his previous surmise confirmed, for there were numbers of his -bees in their livery of white. - -Wildman became noted for the remarkable control he obtained over his -bees, many instances of which he exhibited before the public. Many -of his operations with them were regarded as feats of legerdemain -by the uninitiated, as when he appeared before the king George III. -with a swarm of bees hanging in festoons from his chin, or suspended -in a cluster at arm's length. The Journal of Horticulture recently, -in alluding to Wildman, gives the following particulars as to his -performances:-- - - Near the "Three Hats," Islington, was a place of popular - entertainment called "Dobney's Tea Gardens," kept by Mrs. Ann - Dobney. These gardens occupied the ground between White Lion Street - and Winchester Place, and were established as far back as 1728. In - 1771 the house was taken for a short time as a boarding school; - but it was soon changed to its original purpose as a place of - amusement, for in 1772 Daniel Wildman exhibited bees here. This is - a copy of the advertisement:-- - - "June 20, 1772. Exhibition of bees on horseback! at the Jubilee - Gardens, Islington, (late Dobney's), this and every evening until - further notice (wet evenings excepted.) - - "The celebrated Daniel Wildman will exhibit several new and - amazing experiments, never attempted by any man in this or any - other kingdom before. The rider standing upright, one foot on - the saddle and one on the neck, with a mask of bees on his head - and face. He also rides standing upright on the saddle with the - bridle in his mouth, and by firing a pistol, makes one part of - the bees march over the table, and the other swarm in the air and - return to their hive again, with other performances too tedious to - insert. The doors open at six; to begin at a quarter before seven. - Admittance:--Box and gallery, 2s.; the other seats. 1s." - -The secret of Wildman's skilful manipulation is well understood now; it -consisted in a careful holding and disposal of the queen, together with -confidence in the generally inoffensive disposition of bees. Dr. Evans, -whom we have often quoted for his correct information in apiarian -matters, thus speaks of his feats:-- - - "Such was the spell which, round a Wildman's arm. - Twined in dark wreaths the fascinated swarm; - Bright o'er his breast the glittering legions led. - Or with a living garland bound his head. - His dextrous hand, with firm yet hurtless hold, - Could seize the chief, known by her scales of gold, - Prune, 'mid the wondering train, her filmy wing. - Or o'er her folds the silken fetter fling." - -To recur to our subject. After the days of Wildman, our own -establishment in Holborn became widely known for bee hives and -honey. Although we never attempted to start a London apiary at all -approaching in extent that of our predecessor, we have occasionally -kept bees on the house top both in Holborn and Regent Street. At both -those situations, we have noticed that the bees bring "pollen" as -well as honey into their hives. Last summer there was brought under -our notice an illustration of the acuteness of the scent of bees, and -of their diligent search for food, proving too that if sweets can be -obtained even from unusual sources, the bees will find them out. A poor -woman who, at the corner of an adjacent street vends "brandy balls," -"toffee," "rock," and other saccharine compounds--all well known to and -appreciated by most juveniles,--used to receive frequent visits from -our bees. Their visits to the old dame's domain were at first rather -interesting, and if the few pioneers who had the sagacity to find such -a store had kept the secret only to themselves, their company would -not have been objected to. Such selfish policy does not, however, -accord with the social instinct of bees, and these soon informed their -companions of the good fortune provided for them in an archipelago -of sugar islands. Day by day the swarms of these uninvited visitors -increased, until all legitimate customers were beaten off; and the old -dame had to see, not only her hope of gain destroyed, but her stock of -"goodies" sensibly diminishing by the thefts of these brigands of the -air. She could not, or dare not attempt to, drive the intruders away, -so made diligent enquiry as to where the robbers were harboured. Having -traced them to our establishment in Regent Street, she came to implore -of us to move the bees if possible, or she would have to move her -stall, and so lose her "connection" in the "toffee" and "rock" trade. -Wishing not to hinder the poor woman in gaining her livelihood, we -decided on removing our bees into the country. - -It is difficult to assign an exact limit to the distance that bees -will go in search of honey yielding blossoms. It has been proved by -various experiments that they will fly say five or six miles, if the -supplies are scanty within a shorter radius; but bees well understand -that first of all economies,--the saving of time, and if they can find -forage near at hand, they prefer it. Hence, other things being equal, -the quantity of honey stored will be in proportion to the contiguity of -good pasturage. In this way it is that the systematic removal of hives, -as practiced in many districts, has such a notable effect on the honey -harvest. - -During several years we kept bees in the Zoological Gardens, Regent's -Park, and have there frequently taken full and handsome glasses of -honey. The position of our apiary was on the site now occupied by the -"New Monkey House." The Society promise to erect a new building for an -apiary in the course of the ensuing summer. The visitors to the Gardens -found considerable interest in watching the bees in our glass hives, -and are now much disappointed at the absence of so entertaining an -exhibition. - -A gentleman residing in St. James's Place, has for some considerable -time past kept bees in his garden there. He uses our improved cottage -hives, and his bee-keeping is decidedly successful as he generally -takes some fine glasses of honey each season, besides leaving -sufficient as winter store for the bees. For a London situation, St. -James's Place is a very favourable one; the gardens behind the houses -pleasantly face the Green Park, so that the bees have an uninterrupted -flight to start with. They are also within easy range of the richly -flowered gardens of Buckingham Palace and those of the nobility and -gentry who reside around the Parks. To those gardens the bees of St. -James's Place resort, without waiting for any license or certificate -from the royal and noble owners of the honey yielding preserves. Being -within a short distance of our establishment, when this gentleman's -bees swarm he generally sends to us for assistance in hiving them. - -The neighbourhood of St. John's Wood, and indeed almost all the suburbs -of London, are favourable for the production of honey. We mention St. -John's Wood because, from the fact of having kept bees there ourselves, -we are able to prove by our experience that they do well in that -locality. We have several customers on nearly all sides of the town, -who have each had this year a considerable surplus of honey in their -"supers," after leaving sufficient for the bees themselves in the lower -or stock hives. - -We exhibited in our window last autumn a super of fine honey from the -apiary of Shirley Hibberd, Esq., the proprietor and editor of the -_Gardiner's Weekly Magazine_. It is a box containing 20 lbs. nett -weight of honey, and was produced at Stoke Newington, only 3¼ miles -from the General Post Office. - -The _Times_ "Bee-Master," whose letters from Tunbridge Wells have -awakened so much interest in this pleasing pursuit, also commissioned -us to exhibit a "super," produced under his own management in that -locality. A friend of ours at Exeter had upwards of 400 lbs. of honey, -of excellent quality, though one of his apiaries is quite within the -city. - -The last has been an excellent honey yielding season; our own bees, at -Dorking, in Surrey, have produced us large quantities, and the accounts -from nearly all parts of the country coincide in stating that the bees -have in the year, 1864, enjoyed unusual opportunities for accumulation. -In not a few localities, the season of 1863 was even more abundant. - - -WASPS AND MOTHS. - -Bees have few enemies more formidable than wasps. The most effectual -method of checking their invasion of hives, is to have as narrow an -entrance as the bees can do with. If a stock be not very weak in -numbers, the bees will be well able to guard a small aperture, and can -repel the attacks of those insidious and merciless robbers. On this -account, the entrance to our No. 5 hive as described at page 31, may be -used. - -The bee-keeper is interested in preventing the increase of wasps; it -is, therefore, a good practice for him to set a price on queen wasps in -the spring, the death of one of them at that time being equivalent to -the destruction of a whole nest. - -Should nests be found in the neighbourhood of an apiary, their -annihilation must be accomplished either by blowing them up with -gunpowder, an operation well understood by most country lads; or any -other effectual method. The late Mr. Payne recommended that a small -quantity of gas tar should be put into the mouth of a wasp's nest, and -if then covered with earth, the total destruction of the wasps will -be accomplished without further trouble. But to use blazing straw for -the purpose is always dangerous in country districts. We have lately -heard of a very ingenious and successful mode of entrapping and killing -wasps. Place some sugar or strongly sweetened compound on the ground in -a garden, and place over it a square hand glass, wedged up an inch or -so all round. On this glass, which should have an opening at the apex, -lodge another, but a sound one. The wasps, attracted by the sweets, -will soon crowd under the lower glass, and when they have well feasted, -will ascend into the upper one; there, between the two, they soon -become scorched and perish by the heat of the sun shining on the outer -glass. - -The season of 1864 was most productive for the increase of these prime -pests of the apiary, and many hives have severely suffered by their -depredations. When once wasps in any number have gained an entrance -into a hive, the bees can seldom eject them, and the invaders generally -remain until they have freely regaled themselves from the luscious -store. They not only consume the honey, but cause a good deal of worry -to the legitimate inhabitants of the hive, as well as killing the -foremost defenders of it. Wasps being of so much superior strength, it -requires, at least, three bees to master one of them. - -Having suffered loss in our own apiary from the attacks of wasps, -we feel it desirable to give a detailed account of our own troubles -from that cause. One of our Ligurian stocks was besieged and worried -by wasps to such an extent, that the bees deserted it on the 5th -of September, (1864). Fortunately, the bees chose a time for their -departure just as we visited the apiary. An unusual turmoil was heard -in the hive, such as is experienced at the time of swarming, and on -immediately examining the entrance, we observed that the bees were -quitting in tumultuous haste. The usual methods that induce bees to -settle were tried--amongst others, that of throwing sand up into -the air, so as it should fall down amongst the bees on the wing; -but they were dispersed in disorder, and their flight extended over -three adjacent gardens. We only discovered the clustered bees by -diligent search, as the sequel will show. Permission being asked of -our next door neighbour, we searched his garden to see if our bees -had alighted there; but found that they had passed over. Making a -similar application to the owner of the garden adjoining, we entered, -having a straw hive in hand, but no bees were there. After looking -diligently all round, and climbing the wall, thereby gaining a view -of the third garden, we perceived in it unmistakable signs of an -unwonted commotion. The occupiers of the house were intently looking -at a particular part of the garden, and there was a dustpan and a key, -with which the master had been "tanging the bees" to induce them to -settle. We quickly made for the proper entrance to the garden, and -soon discovered our little wanderers clustered to a large flower vase. -Our neighbours, however, were sadly disappointed of their prize, for -the gardener had hastily been dispatched into the town to purchase -a hive for the welcome colonists. In depriving our neighbours of so -unexpected and cheaply acquired a treasure, we could sympathise with -their regret, having been much disheartened half-an-hour before at -our own loss; but, of course, we could do no other than claim our own -bees. We gladly agreed to defray the expense of the straw hive that had -been purchased for the sake of our truant swarm. After brushing the -bees into the hive, and leaving it propped up with a stick, in order -that the stray ones might join, we returned home for an hour or so, -to give them time to settle. Judge of our vexation when on returning -to fetch the hive home, we found that the refractory creatures had -again taken flight, and that all the work was to do over again. The -wasps were not to blame for this second flight of the Ligurians; we -judged that the swarm had been disturbed by visits from a colony of -bees that we discovered were living the life of outlaws under the roof -of an adjoining house. Although much disheartened and perplexed, we -at once renewed our search, and, upon enquiry, found that the missing -bees had taken a southerly course across the turnpike road, and it was -therefore necessary to ask permission to search the gardens of the -houses opposite. From one of these we observed, on looking through the -hedge, that the inhabitants of the next house were on the _qui vive_. -On enquiring whether they had seen a colony of bees, the wary old dame -replied that she "had no bees but her own," and added that "they were -very much excited." Having asked permission to go through the hedge -to look at her bees, we soon discovered our Ligurians on the top of -the old lady's bee-house. There was no difficulty in identifying our -own bees; their yellow rings were as good as a private mark. Quickly -hiving the swarm, we took them home, and replaced them in the hive -they had quitted. It was almost destitute of honey; but by liberal -feeding, and lessening the entrance so that only one bee at a time -could find ingress or egress, we succeeded in inducing them to rest in -their old home. Thus nearly half a day's exertion was needed to save a -fine colony, which would otherwise have been utterly lost by the power -of the relentless wasps. - -Much watchfulness is needed to prevent the loss of swarms, and the -foregoing incident may serve to suggest the necessity of having hives -so located as to be constantly within view, either from the dining -room, or of those whose duties oblige them to be near the apiary. If -we had not happened to be at hand at the moment this colony started, -it would have been irretrievably lost to us. Many swarms and colonies -are lost simply because the departure takes place without any one -witnessing it. Let us hope that runaway bees may always fall into -the hands of those who are as capable of taking care of them as our -neighbours appeared to be on the occasion we have described. - -Another formidable enemy of bees are the moths. These insects are -creatures of the night, as the bees of the day, and they make their way -into the hives under cover of darkness, in spite of the bee-sentinels. -They deposit their eggs in any crevices in or near the hive that they -can find. There the warmth of the hive or of the sheltered situation, -causes the eggs speedily to hatch, and then the maggots soon work their -way to the comb and larvæ food, which they greedily devour, thereby -often bringing about the gradual but certain destruction of the whole -community of bees. The best way of keeping moths outside the hives -is to lessen the entrance, as before alluded to. Also, in the early -spring, the hives should be lifted from their floorboards, which must -then be made thoroughly clean, and all crevices and corners about the -hive and stand should be scraped, so as to get rid of all eggs of moths -and other insects before the warm weather hatches them or enables them -to do mischief. The bee-moth is not so troublesome in England as it -is in America and some parts of Germany; but still its encroachments -should be carefully guarded against in this country, for if not, it may -easily increase to a very serious extent. - - -DRAINING HONEY FROM THE COMBS. - -Those of our readers who prefer eating "run honey" to honey in the -comb, may be glad of some instruction as to the best way of separating -the two. For this purpose, it is better to let the honey run without -squeezing, in order to preserve both its transparency and flavour. - -Take a sharp knife, and slice the combs on both sides, keeping the -knife parallel with the partition wall, so that every cell may be laid -open. Place these broken combs in a sieve, or on a piece of muslin -stretched across and tied round the opening of a pan or large mouthed -jar. Allow the honey to flow out of the combs spontaneously, and -reserve the squeezing process for a separate jar, so that the honey of -the first drained jar may be perfectly pure, both in appearance and -flavour. That which has pressure put on it will be waxy in flavour and -thick. Some persons recommend that the opened combs be placed in the -sun, as the heat will cause the honey to run more freely. The great -disadvantage of this is, the temptation the honey will offer to bees, -who will be eager to gain a share. Honey whilst in the combs keeps -remarkably well when left in the supers; if cut out, the combs should -be folded in writing paper and sealed up, so as effectually to prevent -free entrance of air; they should then be placed in a warm dry closet. - -Honey, like most vegetable products, should be fresh every year. It -may easily be kept from one season to another; but when kept beyond -that time, unless very carefully stored in a warm temperature, it will -crystallize in the comb, and it is liable to ferment when in jars -separated from the comb. - - -GENERAL REMARKS. - -Every bee-keeper should be a book-keeper; that is, so far as to have a -permanent record of the events of the apiary and the fortunes of his -bees. A book similar to a tradesman's journal would be very suitable -for the purpose. In it he should note down the date of the first swarm -of the season especially, and those of the other swarms also; and in -autumn, the quantity of honey taken from each hive should be entered, -with remarks on the probable size of the various stocks. These -particulars will not only be interesting for the bee-keeper to turn to -in winter, but will be of practical service in enabling him to know the -exact age and probable strength of each stock. The bee-book may also be -contrived to show the total amount of honey that the bees have produced -for their owner, and the net money profit of the apiary. A simple and -clear account Like this--provided, by the bye, that it does show a -satisfactory balance--will be very useful for inducing cottagers and -farm labourers to start bee-keeping. Nothing like ocular demonstration -for this class. The "humane" apiarian will reason with them in vain -until he shows them a monster "skep" of honey, and mentions the price -that it will fetch in the market. When convinced that the depriving -system will pay, the cottager will gladly adopt it. - -A writer in the _Quarterly Review_ gives the following good -advice:--"Don't bore the cottager with long lectures; don't heap upon -him many little books; but give him a hive of the best construction, -show him the management, and then _buy his honey;_ _buy_ all he brings, -even though you should have to give the surplus to some gardenless -widow. But only buy such as comes from an improved hive--and you cannot -easily be deceived in this,--one which preserves the bees and betters -the honey. Then, _when you pay him_, you may read to him, if you will, -the wise rules of old Butler," _exempli gratia_:-- - - "If thou wilt have the favour of thy bees that they sting thee not, - thou must not be unchaste or uncleanly; thou must not come among - them with a stinking breath, caused either through eating of leeks, - onions, or garlic, or by any other means, the noisomeness whereof - is corrected by a cup of beer; thou must not be given to surfeiting - or drunkenness; thou must not come puffing or blowing unto them, - neither hastily stir among them, nor violently defend thyself when - they seem to threaten thee; but, softly moving by, thy hand before - thy face, gently put them by; and, lastly, thou must be no stranger - to them. In a word, (or rather, in five words,) be chaste, sweet, - sober, quiet, familiar; so they will love thee and know thee from - all others." - -Allusion having been made to the profit that may be gained by the -judicious management of bees, we will illustrate that point by relating -an anecdote of a certain French _curé_.[9] It is one which may be -suggestive to some of the rural clergy in this country, who might -almost as easily keep an apiary as they do a garden or an orchard. - -[Footnote 9: This story, in a disguised form, or--as the writer would -say--an improved form, was quoted in the Cornhill Magazine some time -ago. In transforming the bee-keeping cure into an English clergyman the -effect was cleverly] - -A good French bishop, in paying his annual visit to his clergy, was -very much afflicted by the representations they made to him of their -extreme poverty, which indeed the appearance of their houses and -families corroborated. Deploring the sad state of things which had -reduced them to such a condition, he arrived at the house of a curate -who, living amongst a poorer set of parishioners than any he had yet -visited, would, he feared, be in a still more woful plight than the -rest. Contrary, however, to his expectations, he found the appearance -of this remote parsonage to be superior to those he had already -visited. Everything about the house wore the aspect of comfort and -plenty. The good bishop was amazed. "How is this, my friend," said he, -"you are the first pastor I have met with having a cheerful face and a -plentiful board! Have you any income independent of your cure?" "Yes, -Sire," said the pastor, "I have: my family would starve on the pittance -I receive from the poor people that I instruct. If you will walk into -the garden, I will show you the stock that yields me such excellent -interest." On going into the garden, he showed the bishop a long range -of bee-hives. "There," said he, "is the bank from which I draw an -annual dividend, and it is one that never stops payment." His harvest -of honey enabled him almost to dispense with the use of sugar, leaving -him a considerable quantity of it for disposal in the market; of the -coarser portions he made a tolerable substitute for wine, and the sale -of his wax nearly paid his shoemaker's bill. Ever afterwards, when any -of the clergy complained to the bishop of poverty, he would say to -them "Keep bees! keep bees!" In this succinct advice, extending it to -laity as well as clergy in rural districts, we heartily join, believing -that in this country a ten times greater number of hives might be -successfully kept than are now established. In a very practical sense, -the oft repeated lines of Gray are strictly true:-- - - "Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, - And waste its fragrance on the desert air." - -enhanced, especially as to the dismay of the decorous English -prelate in hearing that his poor brother in the Church had turned -"manufacturer;" but then the _vraisemblance_ of the story, as we have -it, was destroyed. An apiary in the garden of every village clergyman -would afford the means of economising this unclaimed bounty of -Providence. - -Bees may be very inexpensively and profitably kept in the Cottager's -hive (see page 34), which will be found a very productive one. It is -true that it has not the appliances of windows and bell glasses; for -the cottager is not supposed so much to care for his hives as a source -of amusement; his object in bee-keeping is simply the profit it may -bring. For those of our readers who wish to have united the facility -of observing the bees with that of the plentiful production of honey, -we would especially recommend the "Improved Cottage" hive, described -at page 28. If inclined to go to a little further expense, the hives -numbered 1, 2, 3, and 7, all afford constant opportunity for inspection -of the bees, and allow of their working freely in the most natural -manner. - -There are few hobbies which cost so little outlay as the keeping of -bees. Once the "plant" of hives is purchased, there is little, if any, -additional expense, and always a probability of a fair return. If -honey be obtainable, the bees will find it; they work for nothing, and -provide themselves with sustenance, requiring only a very little labour -from their keepers, and that labour is of a pleasing and instructive -kind. - -To the advanced and skilful apiarian we would especially commend the -use of the Bar-and-frame hives. With these, as we have attempted to -show, the bee-keeper has a full command over his hives and bees. -Many mistakes, it is true, have been made by uninitiated bee-keepers -in using the more elaborate hives. Being struck with the remarkable -facilities afforded by these superior hives for the extraction of -any one comb, and, perhaps, fascinated with their easy sway over so -highly organized a community, these new-fangled bee-keepers have -acquired a habit of perpetually and incautiously meddling with the -bees. The inevitable results in such cases are distress to the bees, -impoverishment of the stocks, and loss and vexation to the over zealous -apiarian. All these things may be avoided, if it be remembered that -there are first steps in bee-keeping, as well as in croquet, chemistry, -or cricket. In bee-keeping, as in floriculture it is a great point to -know when to "let well alone." There is no florist, however anxious -for a prize, who would be continually pulling up his plants to see -how their roots were growing. Doubtless, the full control which the -bars and frames afford over the inmost recesses of the hives, is a -great temptation to the bee-keeper; but, if he yields too readily to -it, he will imperil his chance of profit, and deprive himself of that -continuous source of interest, which a judicious apiarian always enjoys. - -Many persons who are well informed on most subjects, are -extraordinarily ignorant of the natural history of bees, and the -economy of the bee-hive. Perhaps we might venture to suggest that, -more pains should be taken at schools or by parents to inform young -persons on this, in connection with kindred subjects. As an amusing -illustration of the ignorance referred to, we transcribe an order we -received a short time since from a seminary in the north of England. -The young gentleman thus writes:--"Master ---- presents his compliments -to Messrs. Neighbour, and begs they will send him a swarm of bees; he -encloses _six postage stamps_, and hopes they will send him a _good_ -swarm." This embryo naturalist was evidently of a mercantile turn, -and had a mind to buy in the cheapest market, for in a postscript he -adds:--"Please let it be fourpence, if you can!" We need scarcely say -that in reply we endeavoured to enlighten our juvenile correspondent as -to what constituted a swarm of bees, and returned the stamps, with our -thanks. - -The culture of bees would be greatly promoted, if a knowledge of it -were considered necessary as one of the regular qualifications of a -gardener. So little time is needed to gain the skill requisite for -the tendance of an apiary, that it seems only reasonable to expect -it of a well taught gardener, and he should feel a pleasure in the -circumstance of its forming a part of his duties. In Germany, where a -country gentleman's table is kept constantly supplied with fresh honey, -the gardeners are expected to understand the management of hives; and -in Bavaria, modern bee culture is taught in the colleges to all the -horticultural students. Travellers in Switzerland will call to mind the -almost invariable practice of placing new honey on the breakfast tables -at hotels in that country. - -Some writers on bee-culture attach much importance to the particular -position in which an apiary stands, and the aspect towards which it -faces. A southern, or rather a south-eastern aspect is the one which we -have already recommended. Our reason for this preference is, that we -deem it very important for the bees to have the first of the morning -sun. Bees are early risers, and should have every inducement given -them for the maintenance of so excellent a practice. A few years -since, many strong opinions were expressed in favour of a northern -aspect for hives. The chief reason given for those opinions, though -very plausible, appears to us to be a very partial and inadequate one. -It was said that, when the hives face the south, the bees may, like -the incautious swallow in the fable, be tempted to fly abroad in the -transient winter sunshine, and then perish in the freezing atmosphere -when a passing cloud intervenes. But it is a very easy matter, if -considered needful, to screen the entrance by fixing up matting so -as to intercept the rays of the sun. At our own apiary we make no -alteration in winter, under the belief that the bees will take care of -themselves, and they seldom venture out when the weather is unsuitable. - -With hives exposed in the open garden, it is a good practice to wind -hay-bands round them in frosty weather, as such a protection enables -the bees to resist the cold. - -When a thaw occurs, everything, both in and out of doors, has a great -deal of dampness about it. The combs of a hive are not exempt from -this, so that it is advisable to have slight upward ventilation in -winter. Holes the size of a pin's head allow of the escape of a good -deal of bad air, which is generated by the exhalations of the bees, as -well as by the dampness before referred to. These holes being small, -do not create sufficient draft through the hives to be pernicious; if -closed up by propolis, are readily reopened with a pin. With wooden -hives in winter, a bell glass is often found to be useful; it should be -placed over the hole in the crown-board, with a zinc trough to receive -the condensed moisture. - -In summer bees do much towards ventilating their own stock-hives. The -observant apiarian will not fail to remark how, on a warm day, several -of the little creatures will stand at the entrance with their abdomens -slightly raised, and their twinkling wings in rapid motion, producing a -current of air inwards; while another set are engaged in like manner, -driving the bad air out, so that a supply of pure oxygen is conveyed to -the crowded inmates. In this fanning operation their wings vibrate with -such rapidity, that their shape is as indistinct as are the spokes of a -wheel when revolving in rapid centrifugal motion. - -This important office entails great physical exertion on the part of -the bees, and they relieve each other in detachments. - -Some bee-keepers find an adapting board convenient for placing -underneath straw supers, as it facilitates their removal. These -boards are made of mahogany half an inch thick, with a hole in the -centre corresponding with that in the stock hive. We do not consider -it necessary to fix cross sticks in the straw stock hives, as is -frequently done; but if the apiarian prefers to have his hives so -furnished, there is no serious objection to it. These observations -refer to our Cottager's hive (page 34). - -There is another little matter of detail that should be named here; -that is, the necessity of the bee-keeper always having a common hive in -readiness near the bees, so as to be able to secure any swarm which may -unexpectedly start. - -Here our pleasant task must close. We trust that all information has -been given that is needful to enable the practical bee-keeper to begin -business, and the scientific apiarian to commence his observations. By -way of illustrating the two characters combined, we will conclude by -quoting another simple idyl by the German bee-keeper, Herr Braun, whose -winter musings we have already presented to the reader. - -[_From "The Journal of Horticulture."_] - -ON THE FIRST FLIGHT OF BEES IN SPRING. - -_By_ Adalbert Braun, _Translated by_ "A Devonshire -Bee-keeper." - - Hark! what is so gaily humming - In the little garden there? - Hark! what is so briskly whizzing - Through the still and silent air? - - Friend, it is our bees--the darlings-- - Now enliven'd by the Spring; - Yes, the winter is departed. - And once more they're on the wing. - - Happy he, who winter's perils - All his stocks brings safely through; - Thank Him, of all good the Giver-- - Faithful Watchman He, and true. - - Of my own are none departed. - All as yet unhurt remain; - Though no longer rich in honey. - Yet is Spring returned again! - - Come, and let us view them nearer-- - Enter by the garden gate;-- - So--stand still, and watch their doings-- - Light your pipe, and patient wait. - - See how busily they traverse - To their pasturage and back, - That they may by toil unwearied - Save the commonwealth from wrack. - - Look, O look! what loads of pollen, - Bring they in with heedful care. - Nurslings, fear not; for your cravings - Here's sufficient and to spare. - - How they dart and how they hurtle - Through the genial balmy air! - To the mountains--to the meadows-- - 'Tis the scent attracts them there! - - There they dexterously rifle - Nectar from each flow'r in bloom; - Toil they for our honey harvest, - For us fill the honey-room. - - Yes, our bees, our precious darlings. - We salute you all to-day; - For your life is our enjoyment-- - Winter's sleep has pass'd away. - - Grant prosperity, Heaven! - To the new-born honey-year-- - Give thy favour--give thy blessing-- - To these objects of our care. - - Now let each attentive guardian - In devoted service strive - For the proud, the Matron-monarch-- - Sov'reign of the honey-hive. - - So that we may learn by watching - Who that in the noon-tide glance, - Or in midnight's darkest moments. - Summons her to Hymen's dance.[10] - - Ev'ry bee-hive calls for patience, - Whilst great Haller's lessons teach - Without patience Nature's secrets - None successfully can reach. - -T. W. Woodbury, _Mount Radford, Exeter_. - -[Footnote 10: This point cannot now be considered doubtful, but it must -be remembered that Herr Braun's verses were written eighteen years -ago.] - -In conclusion, we would remind all bee-keepers who earnestly desire -success, and who hope to draw pecuniary profit from their pursuit, -of the golden rule in bee-keeping:--"Keep your stocks strong." In -exercising the assiduous attention and persevering effort, which -that maxim enjoins, they will not only be regarded as _bee-keepers_, -but, as Mr. Langstroth says, will acquire a right to the title of -_bee-masters_. - - - - -APPENDIX. - -[Illustration] - - -TESTIMONIALS OF THE PRESS. - -[Illustration] - -GREAT EXHIBITION 1851. - -The "Working Apiary" in the Great Exhibition of 1851, will long live -in remembrance of the many thousand visitors who witnessed with much -interest the matchless industry of its busy occupants. - -We extract the following from many notices that appeared in the public -journals relative thereto. - -In noticing the hives exhibited in the Crystal Palace, I would say, -first and foremost in my opinion stands Mr. Taylor's Eight-bar -Hive, and Messrs. Neighbour and Son's Improved Cottage Hive, -both exhibited by Messrs. Neighbour.--_J. H. Payne, see -Cottage Gardener, Nos. 169, 170._ - -_From the "Illustrated London News."_ - -Messrs. Neighbour's Apiary consists of a large glass -case, with parts of the sides covered with perforated zinc, for -the sake of ventilation. This apiary contains three hives; first -Neighbour's Ventilating Box-Hive, containing from 15,000 to -20,000 bees, which were hived on the 30th of April of the present -year, the day before that of the opening of the Great Exhibition; -Neighbour's Observatory Glass Hive, containing about the same -number as the box-hive; and a two storied square box-hive, with sloping -roof. From this latter, however, the bees decamped within a week after -they had been hived, owing to some disturbance, or perhaps, to the -dislike taken by the bees to their new habitation. The Ventilating -Box-Hive is, in shape, square, having windows and shutters. The -entrance is at the back, enabling the bees to go to Kensington Gardens, -or other resorts, when they please. Above the wooden box is placed -a bell glass, into which the bees ascend to work through circular -opening in, the top of the square box. In the top of the bell-glass is -an aperture through which is inserted a tubular trunk of perforated -zinc, to take off the moisture from within. The Observatory Hive is of -glass, with a superior crystal compartment, an opening being formed -between the two; the bees are at present forming a comb in this upper -glass, which affords a very interesting sight, as generally speaking, -the bees are in such a cluster when at work that one can scarcely view -their mathematically formed cells. A straw cover is suspended over the -upper compartment by a rope over a pulley, which cover is raised up by -the attendant at pleasure. The larger or bottom compartment rests on a -wooden floor, which has a circular groove sinking therein to receive -the bell glass. A landing-place projecting, as usual, with sunken way, -to enable the bees to pass in and out of their habitation, completes -this contrivance. - -In addition to Mr. Neighbour's Crystal Apiary, he also -exhibits a Cottager's Straw Hive, Taylor's Amateur Bee-Hive, a Glass -Hive, Nutt's Patent Collateral Hive, the Ladies' Observatory -Hive, Neighbour's Improved Cottage Hive, and Payne's -Cottage Hive. - -The Cottager's Hive is simply that of the form we find in use in most -parts of the country, where the industrious cottagers or their wives, -by a little attention to their interesting little labourers, are -enabled to add something to their usually scanty earnings. This kind of -hive is usually made of straw, resting on a circular wooden board, with -part of the board or floor projecting in front as a lauding place for -the bees, which enter under the edge of the straw by means of a sinking -in the floor. - -Taylor's Amateur's Bee-Hive consists of three small square -boxes, one above another, with a roof over the top story; the -ventilation being effected by perforations under the eaves; each side -of every story has a window and shutter. The landing place is in front -of the bottom story, and the entrance to the hive is a long slit about -¾ inch high. - -The Glass Hive or Ladies' Observatory Hive, is similar to that in -which the bees are at work in Mr. Neighbour's Apiary already -mentioned, but on account of the number of bees at work therein, and -the extent of comb already effected, the interior perches cannot be -seen. These wooden perches are arranged in parallel lines, leaving a -space next the glass all round, the whole being framed together with a -bar at right angles, and resting on an upright support in the middle. - -The Improved Cottage Hive of the same exhibitor consists of a straw -circular lower compartment, having windows and outside shutters. A -thermometer is placed just inside one of the windows. The floor is of -wood, with a landing place and sunken way, as already mentioned in -some of the other hives. In the top, which is also of wood, are three -circular perforations, each of about two inches in diameter; above -which are placed as many bell-glasses. There is a small hole in the -top of each of the glasses, through which a perforated tubular trunk -is inserted, for the sake of taking off the moisture from the interior -of the hive. Within the glass is a feeding-trough of zinc, circular -in shape, with a floating perforated floor, on which the bees alight, -and in the winter season regale themselves with the honey which is -found in the various perforations, as it floats up to the level of the -honey, contained in the small filling-trough, through which the honey, -or beer and sugar, is poured. The glasses are covered with a straw cap, -removable at pleasure. - -Messrs. Neighbour's contributions are completed with, tin -perforated fumigators, by the use of which the bees are stupefied -for a while, when required to be moved from one hive to another; and -specimens of honey and honey-comb of the season 1850. - -_From the "Express."_ - -Bees and Bee-Hives.--In the North-East Gallery directly under -the Transept are arranged by Messrs. Neighbour, of Holborn, -several descriptions of bee-hives, which it will be interesting to many -of our readers to examine, as this branch of rural economy is claiming -much general and deserved attention throughout the country. The novelty -of these hives consists in the facilities that are afforded in taking -therefrom at any time of the gathering season the purest honey without -destroying or even injuring the bees, thus humanely superseding the -barbarous and hateful system of murdering these interesting insects, to -obtain the produce of their industry. - -Immediately adjoining the group of untenanted bee-hives may be observed -living hives with the bees most industriously at work. These useful -little creatures have been highly honoured by the Executive Committee, -for of all the animal workers that contribute to the interest of the -Exhibition they alone are allowed therein to display their matchless -ingenuity and skill. By a simple contrivance the bees are allowed -egress and ingress without in the least degree molesting the visitors, -thus enabling the admirers of the works of nature to view the whole -process of forming the cells and depositing the honey therein. - -Within these few days Messrs. Neighbour have added to the -Apiary, a bee-hive constructed entirely of glass, protected by a cover -neatly made of straw, but so contrived, that on application to the -attendant can be removed instantly, thus illustrating more particularly -the curious workmanship of these amusing insects. - -Her Majesty the Queen, and the Prince Consort, with the Royal Children, -were some time engaged in watching with deep interest the busy scene -before them, and putting many questions relating to the habits and -economy of the honey bee. - - -INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION 1861. - -_From the "Illustrated London News," August 16, 1862._ - -One of the most interesting and instructive objects in the Exhibition, -is a transparent hive, in which the bees may be seen at full work. -Among the collection of bee-hives exhibited by Messrs. Neighbour -and Son, is one of glass, stocked with a colony of Italian Alp -bees. Here the queen bee may be seen surrounded by her subjects, -which pay the most deferential attention to their sovereign. Through -an aperture cut in the wall, the busy throng of bees are continually -passing and repassing. They go out at their pleasure into the open -court, fly over the annexe into the grounds of the Horticultural -Society and other adjacent gardens, and return laden with sweets. - -_From the "Journal of Horticulture" October 21, 1862._ - -Neighbour, G. & Sons, 149, Regent Street, and 127, Holborn, -No. 2157, have a very handsome and complete stall, on ascending the -steps of which we found a flourishing stock of Ligurians, apparently -not at all ashamed of the public position which they occupied, and -working vigorously in the full light of day. The queen, one of the -largest and finest-coloured we have met with, was perambulating the -combs and receiving the homage of her subjects, stopping frequently to -deposit an egg in every empty cell. The hive itself was a "Woodbury -Unicomb," handsomely got up in mahogany, invented as its name implies, -by our valued correspondent. "A Devonshire Bee-keeper," -the construction of which will be most readily understood by an -inspection of the engraving at page 46. Its distinctive features are, -the adaptation of the moveable-bar system to unicomb-hives, by which -any colony in an apiary of "Woodbury-hives" can be placed in the -unicomb-hive in a few minutes, and the use of "outside Venetians," -or "sun blinds." as they are called, instead of the usual impervious -shutters. By this contrivance light is never excluded, so that when the -hive is open for inspection, all its inmates continue their avocation -with their accustomed regularity, and a quiet and orderly scene is -presented to the spectator, instead of the hubbub and confusion -which ensues in ordinary unicomb-hives. On the left-hand side of the -unicomb hangs a beautifully executed drawing of a Ligurian queen -bee magnified, together with the queen worker and drone of _Apis -Ligustica_, of the natural size. Immediately under the drawing is -placed a square glass super containing nearly 40 lbs. of the finest -honey-comb. On the right of the unicomb-hive is another super of the -same description, containing nearly 30 lbs. of the purest honey. -These supers are, undoubtedly, by far the finest in the Exhibition, -and are the first worked in England by Ligurian bees, being from the -apiary of "A Devonshire Bee-keeper." In addition to these the -most striking objects, are shown Neighbour's Improved Single Box and -Cottage Hives, Taylor's Bar-Hives, Woodbury Frame and Bar-hives, the -new Bottle-feeder, and bee apparatus of every description. It will be -apparent from the foregoing, that Messrs. Neighbour's stall is well -worth inspection, although the various novelties it contains appear to -have met with but scant appreciation by the Jury, who merely awarded -to them that "honourable mention" so lavishly accorded to the far less -deserving objects. - -_From the "Illustrated News of the World" September 6, 1862._ - -One of the most interesting and instructive objects is the honey bee -at full work in transparent hives. In the International Exhibition, -Class 9, Eastern Annexe, Messrs. Neighbour and Son, of Holborn -and Regent-street, exhibit, amongst a collection of the most approved -bee-hives and apparatus, a glass hive, stocked with a colony of Italian -Alp bees; the hive is so constructed as to admit of easily seeing the -queen, surrounded by the working bees. Contrary to the long established -notion that the bees work only in the dark this hive is completely -open to broad daylight. The bees do not manifest the least dislike to -the exposure, and they are not discomfited when light is occasionally -admitted for inspecting them. It is obvious that a knowledge of this -new feature must tend to a more general acquaintance with the habits -and hidden mysteries of the bee than has hitherto been the case. The -queen may be seen depositing the eggs in the cells; in this manner she -goes on multiplying the species, the working bees surrounding her, and -paying the most deferential attention, with their heads always towards -her. Not the least interesting part is to watch the entrance; facility -is afforded for doing so, the sunken way communicating with the hive -being covered with a flat piece of glass; the busy throng, pass and -repass through the aperture cut in the wall, so that the bees go out -at their pleasure into the open court, fly over the Annexe into the -Horticultural and other adjacent gardens, and return laden with crystal -sweets gathered from the flowers. The novelty of being able to inspect -living bees, and those of a new variety, as easily as goods in a shop -window, will well repay the trouble of finding Messrs. Neighbour's -stand. These gentlemen will no doubt cheerfully give any information -that may be required. - -_From the "Gardener's Weekly Magazine" September 1, 1862. Conducted by -Shirley Hibberd, Esq., F.R.H.S._ - -Neighbour and Son, 149, Regent Street, London, (2157).--This -is the most important of the exhibitions in this department. The "Bees -at work" are in hives open to the inspection of visitors, the bees -passing out through tubes to the open air, and not being visible within -the building except through the glass of the hives. The collection of -hives of all kinds is complete and interesting, and we subjoin a figure -of the stand (see page 100) to show how bees as well as hives may be -exhibited conveniently. Amongst the various contrivances exhibited by -Messrs. Neighbour, Nutt's Collateral Hive has an important -place, and though very fancifully got up, and therefore very attractive -to amateur bee-keepers, we must make the same objection to it as we -have above to other forms of the same from different makers. The -Single-box Hive, the Taylor's Shallow Eight-bar Hive, are the best -bee-boxes in this collection, and every way admirable. Here are no -fancy ventilators which the bees will close up, nor provoking side -boxes which they will hesitate to enter, and from which it will be hard -to dislodge them in order to get them to winter in the "pavilion." -Whoever begins bee-keeping with either of these will have a fair chance -of success. The most popular of the hives is that called the "Improved -Cottage." Its popularity no doubt is due to the compromise between wood -and straw which it accomplishes. People cannot get rid of the idea that -a bee-hive _must_ be made of straw, though it is a material so ill -adapted for union of swarms, supering and other operations of advanced -bee culture. The "Cottager's Hive" is well adapted for "those apiarians -who are desirous of setting their poorer neighbours in the way of -keeping bees on the improved system." It consists of stock hive, small -super-hive, and straw cover, and is on the principle of Payne's, which -has been most successful among country people who have got so far as -to prefer keeping, to killing their bees. The "Woodbury Bar and Frame -Hive" is a novel construction, combining all the best features of the -best bar boxes, and adding some new ones of great value and importance. -We recommend every bee-keeper to become possessed of this admirable -contrivance, with which Mr. Woodbury has accomplished wonderful things -in the multiplication of the new race of Ligurian bees. In general form -and proportions it resembles Taylor's and Tegetmeier's boxes, but in -the arrangement of the bars it is unique. The stock box is furnished -with ten moveable bars and frames, after the German plan. Each bar has -a projection running along the under side; this ridge is chosen by the -bees for the foundation of combs, rendering guide combs unnecessary. -The supers have glass sides and eight bars, so that the operator need -never be in doubt when to add another box above or take away the -harvest. - -The "Unicomb," or one-comb observatory-hive, is intended solely for -purposes of observation, and though furnished with doors, to keep -up a uniform degree of heat, Messrs. Neighbour have found in their -experience at the Regent's Park Gardens and elsewhere, that the bees -manifest no dislike to a continual exposure to light. As this elegant -contrivance can be placed in the window of a drawing-room, it is -adapted to the amusement and instruction of the family circle, as -well as to the more serious objects of the etomologist and scientific -apiarian. All that is necessary is to connect the outlet with the open -air by means of a length of tubing or wooden tunnel, and the bees pass -in and out without obtaining access to the room, and all the mysteries -of the hive are open to daily observation. There are numerous other -hives, bee-feeders, bee armour, &c., &c., which we have not space to -notice, but which we advise our apiarian friends to inspect, as the -collection of Messrs. Neighbour illustrates fully every department of -this interesting subject. - - -BATH AND WEST OF ENGLAND AGRICULTURAL SHOW AT EXETER, IN JUNE, 1863. - -_From the "Journal of Horticulture," June 23, 1863._ - -A novel feature in the Exhibition of the Bath and West of England -Agricultural Society which took place at Exeter last week, was the -stall of Messrs. Neighbour & Sons, in which were exhibited -bees at work in glass hives, and apiarian appliances of every -description. There were two Ligurian stocks of bees at full work, -one in a full sized Woodbury Unicomb Hive, having been brought from -London for the occasion, and the other in a smaller hive of the -same description being from the neighbouring apiary of our valued -correspondent, "A Devonshire Bee-Keeper." Amongst the hives -exhibited, the Woodbury Frame Hive in straw appeared both novel -and good, whilst amongst the apparatus, artificial combs and the -stereotyped plates for making them, seemed to us the most worthy of -attention. - -There was a remarkably curious specimen of artificial combs or -partition wall partially fabricated into complete comb by the bees, -which struck us as being well worth examination, showing, as it did, -the various stages by which this transformation is effected, and being -calculated to throw light on the problem as to the mode in which -bees construct their combs. It is almost unnecessary to state, that -this unique and instructive stall was crowded throughout the week, -and we hope its financial results were such as will lead Messrs. -Neighbour to continue their attendance at the Society's -meetings. - -_From the "Western Times" Exeter, June 12, 1863._ - -For the Little Busy Bee.--Next to the poultry tents, and set -back against the yard fencing, is the exhibition of Mr. George -Neighbour & Sons, 127, High Holborn, and 149, Regent Street, -London, inventors and manufacturers of improved bee-hives for taking -honey without the destruction of the bees. The savage knows where -to find the nest of the wild bee, and how to get at his honey; but -all the improvement upon the covetousness of the savage made by the -long after ages of the world to modern times, was to find means of -luring the pattern of industry to a convenient atelier where he might -be more easily, first murdered and then robbed. Their habits early -attracted the attention of some of the best observers of ancient as -well as modern times; Cicero and Pliny tell of the philosopher Hyliscus -quitting human society and retiring to the desert to contemplate -their peaceful industry. The ancient poet in his _Sic vos non vobis_ -plaintively sings over bee and beast, living, or rather dying, not -for themselves, but the lord of creation, yet was it left to modern -times--very modern times--to join the sentiment of humanity to the -rapacity of the barbarian. Mr. Neighbour has a very complete -collection of specimens of the ingenious and successful contrivances -in the construction of hives for the double object of preserving the -honey and the life of the bee; and also, subsidiarily of promoting its -comfort during its busy and useful life. We are not allowed to forget -here, that we have residing in our city one of the first apiarians in -the kingdom--Mr. Thomas Woodbury, of Mount Radford. If the bee -philosophy be his hobby, we may recollect that all great discoveries -and improvements owe their existence to men who have had the power and -the will to concentrate their faculties upon a single object. One proof -of his genius in this his favourite department of action, is seen among -this collection of Mr. Neighbour's in the "Woodbury Unicomb -Hive." It might be when closed up, for ought that appears, a neat case -of books; but on opening two doors of the Venetian blind pattern, back -and front, we see between the glass walls, the insect city exposed to -view with all the population in action. There it may be seen - - How skilfully she builds her cell; - How neat she spreads her wax; - And labours hard to store it well - With the sweet food she makes. - -Some of the hives are constructed chiefly for the purpose of promoting -a philosophic observation of the bee's habits and methods of procedure -in his wonderful work. "Neighbour's Unicomb Observatory -Hive" is a great novelty, being constructed with glass sides, the -hidden mysteries of the hive being exposed to the full light of day. -"Huber's Book or Leaf Hive" is constructed to facilitate the -object of the scientific apiarian. But the class of hives which will -most interest those desirous of promoting bee-keeping among the many -will be those for the cottage. There can be no doubt that many a poor -cottager in the country, if he could be made to see the advantage it -would be to him, and were taught the most economical and successful way -of managing this species of "live stock," would add thereby something -considerable to his small earnings in the course of a summer. Members -of Cottage Garden Societies have turned their attention to it very -generally; but to get the thing well afloat, requires in every district -the devotion of some earnest enthusiast who will take up the apostolic -rule of action "This one thing I do." There is the No. 5, "Improved -Cottage Hive," in which three bell glasses are employed, enabling -you to take a glass of the purest honey from the hive in the most -vigorous period of the season. Then there are other hives of simpler -construction and less expensive, but all illustrative of the sentiment -of humanity which seeks to preserve from wanton destruction those -useful and interesting auxiliaries to our luxury and comfort. This -comparatively unimportant stand, in point of size, cannot but attract -the attention of a large number of visitors, especially of the ladies -and the clergy, who are desirous of promoting the cultivation of the -bee among the poor. To heighten the interest for the curious, in one -of Mr. Woodbury's hives the bees are all alive and at it, and -for those who are disposed to go further into the subject, information -is available touching this fashionable, profitable, and domesticated -member of the Apiarian family, the Ligurian and Italian Alp-bee. Our -old dark-coated delver is threatened with supercession, just as the -black rat was driven off by the Norwegian invader, now in possession, -and as the old races of cattle are being metamorphosed into the sleek, -shapely, beef-bearing, small-boned animals of the present time. - -_From the "Devon Weekly Times" June 8, 1863._ - -Bees.--Messrs. Neighbour & Sons, of London, are -exhibitors of two Woodbury Unicomb Hives, showing the royal -and common bees in full work. These hives are very ingeniously -constructed, and were invented by Mr. T. Woodbury, of Mount -Radford. Among other apiarian attractions, we may mention the improved -Cottage and Cottager's Hives, which are well worthy the notice of those -for whom they are designed, and the Ladies' Observatory Hive. The -Messrs. Neighbour also exhibit Ligurian bees. - -_From "Woolmer's Exeter Gazette" June 12, 1863._ - -Improved Bee-Hives.--At a stand near the poultry tents, are -exhibited Neighbour's Improved Bee-hives for the taking of -honey without the destruction of bees. The hives are stocked with the -famous Ligurian bee. The Unicomb Observatory Hive is constructed with -glass sides, so that the whole of the movements of the Apiarian colony -are visible, including the proceedings of the queen and her court. This -and some of the other descriptions of hives manufactured by Messrs. -Neighbour are invented by T. W. Woodbury, Esq. They -are furnished with moveable bars, after the German fashion. Each bar -has a projection along the underside; this ridge being waxed, induces -the bees to build parallel combs--thus obviating the necessity for a -guide comb. This description of hive is best suited for the Ligurian or -Italian Alp-bee. Stocks of this species, now so much in repute, may be -obtained of Messrs. Neighbour 149, Regent Street, London. - - -ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SHOW, NEWCASTLE, 1864. - -_From the "Northern Daily Express" July 22,--(Published at Newcastle.)_ - -A Model Factory.--Stand 191--G. Neighbour & Sons. -Regent Street, and High Holborn, London. We have heard of model farms -and model lodging houses for the working classes, but it was reserved -for the Royal Agricultural Society's Meeting in 1864 to introduce -to our notice a model factory, where we may see representatives -of the working classes busily engaged in their daily avocations. -The stand which we have quoted above, may afford fruitful study to -such philanthropists as the Earl of Shaftesbury, who make it their -benevolent aim to elevate the masses, and the lesson here given from -actual life will not be lost upon working men themselves. There are -several striking features worthy of notice in the "model factory." -We can clearly perceive that it has been established on a principle -which is essential to the success of any great concern--namely: the -principle of a good understanding amongst the operatives themselves, -and between them and the head of the establishment. What strikes us -in this model factory is the unity of action which reigns throughout. -There is no jostling of rival interests, and no misunderstandings, or -cross purposes. The operatives in this establishment are so numerous -that we question if any one has as yet been able to count their number, -and yet all seem to be working in perfect harmony, their joint labour -continually leading to one beautiful and sublime result. Another -feature specially noticeable in the establishment, in question is the -principle of subordination. Singular to say, that while the operatives -are males[11] the foreman of this model factory is a female; but that -circumstance need not shock the sensibilities of our fair friends -any more than it ought to offend the prejudices of the sterner sex, -inasmuch as the mighty empire of Great Britain is ruled by the gentle -hand of a female; and moreover, in the one case as in the other, the -presiding genius, amids all her official cares and duties, takes care -to preserve the modesty of her sex. She never in the slightest degree -obtrudes herself needlessly on public observation, and probably on -that very account the respect shown to her by her subjects is the more -profound and devoted. There is, however, one particular in which we -would take leave to demur to the idea of this factory being in every -respect regarded as a "model." We have not been able to discover that -there is any particular period of the day in which the operatives are -allowed to take refreshments. We, in England, have been accustomed to -regard the dinner hour somewhat in the light of a sacred institution. -And if the council of the Royal Agricultural Society mean to set this -up as a model institution, we are of opinion that some explanation on -this point is desirable. Indeed we have not been able to discover that -the operatives in this establishment take any refreshment whatever. -If they do, it must be "on the sly," vulgarly speaking. There is one -peculiarity, however, which must tend to popularize this institution, -and which has served to make it one of the most attractive objects on -the show ground. It is the fashion in all the great factories which -abound on the banks of the Tyne and throughout the country generally -to act on the principle of exclusiveness to a very great extent, and -perhaps wisely so. As you approach the door you see an intimation in -legible characters, "No admission except on business." This may be -very proper, but it is rather tantalising. In the model factory which -we are now describing all the operations are open to inspection. Every -action is patent to the eye of the spectator. This has been effected -by a skilful contrivance, and it is this contrivance in fact, which -has entitled the inventor to obtain a place in the show ground for his -model factory, which he describes by the somewhat ambiguous term of "a -new implement." But our readers may wish to learn what is the staple -manufacture of this wonderful workshop. We reply--"honey." The factory -we speak of is nothing more nor less than a bee-hive; or, to quote from -the catalogue, "An Unicomb Observatory Bee-hive," with living Italian -Alpine bees at full work; it was invented by T. W. Woodbury, -of Exeter; and is improved and manufactured by the exhibitors. As -implied by its name this hive has one comb, so that both sides are -fully exposed to the light of day, thus allowing of an easy inspection -of the queen-bee, surrounded by her retinue. - -[Footnote 11: The reporter was in error as to the sex of the workers.] - - - - -INDEX. - -[Illustration] - - - PAGE. - A. - - Adapting board 76, 115, 116 - Age of bees 6 - Anger of bees 76, 89 - Apiary, best time to set up 11 - " Exterior and interior of 58 - Artificial Swarming 79 - Right time for 80, 81 - Directions for performing the operation of 80, 81 - Artificial Swarms, how should be placed 83 - Aspect 25, 114, 115 - Australia, sending bees to 100, 101 - - B. - - Baby bee, cradle of 9 - " emerging from the cell 9 - Bath and West of England Journal 97, 99 - " " " Agricultural Shows 47, 48, 124, 125, 126 - Bee dress 68, 74 - " Necessity for 69, 77 - Bees, reduced size of 79 - " Human breath obnoxious to 89 - " Artificial scent objectionable 89 - - Bee Hives (Modern). - - Neighbour's Cottager's:-- - Description of 34 - Putting on super 35, 36 - Time for removal of 36 - Depositing eggs in super 36 - Neighbour's Improved Cottage (No. 5):-- - Description of 28 - Directions for 29 - Weight 27 - Neighbour's Improved Cottage (No. 6) 31 - Neighbour's Ladies' Observatory or Crystal Hive:-- - Description of 32 - Feeding 33 - Light not to be admitted at first 33 - Mode of fixing 32, 33 - " stocking 33 - Protection from cold 33 - Use of frame work 33 - Weight 32 - Neighbour's Unicomb Observatory:-- - Construction and application 44 - Mode of stocking 44 - How kept warm 46 - How exhibited at Paris 45 - Prize Medal for 45 - Neighbour's Single Box:-- - Description of and directions for 24, 25 - Nutt's Collateral:-- - Description of 17, 18 - Means of ventilation 21 - Mode of stocking 19, 20 - " taking surplus honey 21, 22 - Feeding 19 - Shed necessary 19 - The late Thomas Nutt 23 - Taylor's Improved Cottage:-- - Description of 43 - Taylor's Eight-bar Straw Hive:-- - Description of 43 - Taylor's Amateur Eight-bar 26, 29 - " " Seven-bar 27 - Woodbury Bar and Frame:-- - Description of 36 - Glass Bar and Frame 38 - Straw Bar and Frame, description of 37 - Special advantage of 37 - Origin of 37 - Directions for stocking 73, 74 - Woodbury Unicomb:-- - Construction of 46 - Inspection of queen 47 - How fixed 48 - Answering 48, 49 - Mode of stocking 48, 49 - Bees removed before Winter 4 - Huber's Book or Leaf, description of 50, 51 - - Bee Houses. - Advantage of 53, 54 - Description of, to contain two hives 53 - Furnished with lock and key 54 - How hives are placed in 54 - Plan for excluding insects 54 - Description of, to contain twelve hives 55 - Object of colouring alighting board 55 - Bees mistaking entrance 55, 56 - Loss of queens 56 - Bee-house to contain nine hives, why not recommended 56 - Bee-keeping, inexpensive and profitable 113 - Bee-keeping in London 102 - St. James's Place 105 - Zoological Gardens, Regent's Park 105 - St. John's Wood and suburbs of London 105 - G. Neighbour and Sons' London Apiary 104 - Seasons, 1863, 1864, favorable for 106 - Bee-keeper should be a book-keeper 111 - - C. - - Cells, contracted size of 79 - Changing old stocks into new hives:-- - Not to be attempted by the inexperienced 86 - Adaptation of old hive to the depriving system 86 - Directions for transferring stocks into frame hives 87 - Classes for whom bee-keeping is suited 1 - Combs, artificial 70 - Value of 70 - Mode of applying 71, 72 - Must not be jarred 69 - Taken from bar and frame hives 75, 79 - Fixing in frames 75 - Ensuring regularity of 27 - Compound Bar and Frame 40 - Cottagers, way to convince of the humane system 111 - Cottagers' hive 34 - Cover for bar and frame hive, description of 41, 42 - Zinc 59, 60 - Ornamental zinc 59 - Straw hackle 35 - Crown board 74, 76 - - D. - - Dampness in hives in winter injurious 33, 115 - Depriving System:-- - Special advantages of 10, 35 - Practiced in ancient Greece and Italy 10 - Profit to be derived from 111, 112 - Dividing hives, reason why they do not answer 82 - Dressing hives inside with sweet not needful 35 - Driving bees, directions for 84, 85 - Drones, sex of 6 - Purpose of 7 - Reason for numbers in hive 7 - General massacre of 7 - All die before winter 8 - - E. - - Eggs of bees:-- - Description of 9 - In supers 36 - Entrance to hives 18, 31, 37 - Epitaph on murdered bees 11 - Evans, note on page, extract from 3, 4, 5, 12, 13 - Evening thoughts in January, a poem 56, 57 - - F. - - Feeding 19, 25, 31, 33, 63, 64 - Feeder (Bottle) 63 - (Nutt's) 66 - (Round) 65 - (Fountain) 65 - Frame:-- - Description of 39 - Mr. "Woodbury's improvement 40 - How kept perpendicular 39, 40 - Taking out with combs 76 - Direction for handling frames 77, 78 - Placing frames in hives 78 - French Bishop visiting a Cure (anecdote) 111, 112 - Fructifying flowers, bees useful for 91 - Fumigation, directions for 66, 67, 68 - Fumigators 66, 67, 68 - - G. - - General remarks 110 to 116 - Glasses, bell 60, 61, 62 - Great Exhibition of 1851, Testimonials of the press 119, 120, 121 - Guide comb 27 - " for glasses 61, 62 - - H. - - Hives--see Bee-hives 106 - Large number may be kept 112 - Hive should be ready for swarm 15, 115 - Honey cutters 66 - Honey Dew 94 - Honey, directions for draining from combs 110 - Keeping honey in the comb at a warm temperature 110 - Huber (Francis), extract from Memoirs of 51 - - I. - - Improved cottage hive 31 - Improved comb bar 39 - Increase of bees 9 - India-rubber gloves 74 - Impregnation of queen 3 - Insects that are injurious 83, 107 - Insects, cleansing hives from 83 - Interchange of combs for strengthening weak hives 79 - Italian honey bee 93, 94, 95 - Description of 96 - Great honey collecting powers 96, 97 - Opinions of German bee-masters 96 - Introduction into England 97 - Hermann's book on 97, 98 - Physical characteristics of 98 - Importation of queens in many instances unsuccessful 99 - Transporting stocks to Australia 100, 101 - At the International Exhibition 70, 100, 101, - 121, 122, 123, 124 - - J. - - Journal of Horticulture 99 - - K. - - Keeping bell glasses warm 25 - - L. - - Ligurian honey bee (see Italian bee) - Loyalty of bees 4 - - M. - - Mortar, not necessary for closing crevices 35 - Moths, how entrance is effected 109 - How to destroy eggs of 109 - - N. - - Neglect of bee-keeping 1 - Neighbour's hives (see Bee-hives). - Number of eggs in the season 3 - Nutt's hives (see Bee-hives) - - P. - - Pasturage for bees 93, 94 - Honey yielding flowers 93, 94 - Wild flowers best 94 - Pollen, food for infant bees 91 - How collected 91 - Rye meal a substitute for farina from flowers 91 - Propolis, or bees' cement 92 - How obtained 92, 93 - Application of 93 - Anecdote illustrating use of 93 - Putting on super hive or bell glasses 20, 25, 29, 36, 75 - - Q. - - Queen:-- - Description of 2 - Movements of, laying eggs and marriage day 3 - Honor to when fertile 4 - Combats with her rivals 4, 5 - Dismay of bees on loss of 5 - Raised from worker embryo 5 - Longevity of 6 - Old one goes with first swarm 12 - Leaves hive only in fine weather 12 - In super hives 22, 36 - Loss of 5, 56 - View of 44, 47 - Supplying queenless hives with 5, 83 - - R. - - Roller, engraved pressing:-- - Description of 69 - Application of 69, 70 - Royal Agricultural Society's Show 48, 126, 127, 128 - - S. - - Spring, time to begin bee-keeping 11 - Spring, First flight of bees in, a poem 116, 117 - Sprinkling bees 77 - Stand for hives, engraving 24, 28, 36, 42 - Sticks in hives not necessary 115 - Super for bar and frame hives 41 - Bell glass (see Glasses) - Straw 35, 36 - Straw hives: - Advantage of 34 - Preference for 34, 37 - Swarming:-- - Usual time of year for 11 - Cause of 11 - Agitation before 12 - Provisioning for 13 - Usual time of day for 13 - Poetical description of 13 - Ringing on occasion of, needless 13 - Desirable to prevent 16 - Swarms:-- - Devices for inducing settlement of 13 - Consequences of a second flight 14 - Means of preventing ditto 14 - Two sometimes depart at same time and mingle 14 - Necessity of having hives in readiness 14 - Bee dress essential 15 - Time for removing 15 - Care to be exercised when confined 18, 24, 25, 29, 30 - First swarms most valuable 16 - Second, cause of 16 - Premonitory symptoms 16 - Royal wailing indicative of 16 - Numerical composition of 16 - Third, name of 16 - Fourth, name of 16 - Care required to prevent loss of 14, 109 - - T. - - Taking honey, mode of 21, 22 - Thomson's " Seasons," extract from, on murdered bees 11 - - V. - - Ventilation 17, 18, 20, 21, 115 - - W. - - Wasps, how to prevent the increase of 106, 107 - Season 1864 productive of 107 - Water essential 94 - Mismanagement of, during voyage 101 - Weighing hives, importance of 88 - Salter's spring balance best 88 - How to judge of quantity without 88 - Windows, objections to 38 - Wildman 102 - Marvellous feats of 103 - Secret of success 103 - Worker bee:-- - Description of 8 - Sex of 8 - Number in hive 8 - Young ones, employment of 8 - - - NEIGHBOUR'S - - IMPROVED BEE-HIVES, - - FOR - - TAKING HONEY WITHOUT THE DESTRUCTION OF THE BEES. - -[Illustration] - -DRAWINGS AND DETAILED LISTS FORWARDED ON RECEIPT OF TWO POSTAGE STAMPS. - - 1. Nutt's Collateral Bee-Hive 6 15 0 - Stand for ditto, 16s. - - 2. Neighbour's Improved Single-box Hive 3 3 0 - Stand for ditto, 10s. 6d. - - 3. Taylor's Shallow-box or Eight-bar Hive, complete with cover 3 10 0 - Stand for ditto, 10s. 6d. - - 4. Taylor's Amateur Bar Hive 3 5 0 - Stand for ditto, 10s. 6d. - - 5. Neighbour's Improved Cottage Hive 1 15 0 - Stand for ditto, 10s. 6d. - - 6. An Improved Cottage Hive 1 8 0 - - 7. The Ladies' Observatory or Crystal Hive. Price complete 2 5 0 - - 8. The Cottager's Hive 0 10 6 - - 9 & 10. Bee Feeders each 5/. and 0 4 0 - - 11 & 12. Fumigators each 2/. and 0 2 6 - - 13. Honey Cutters per pair 0 5 0 - - 14. Taylor's Improved Cottage Hive 1 1 0 - With Stand, £1. 10s. - - 15. Fountain Bee Feeder 0 6 0 - - 18. Taylor's Eight-bar Straw Hive, complete 2 12 0 - Stock Hive only, 15s. - - 19. Huber's Book or Leaf Hive 2 5 0 - - 20. Taylor's Unicomb Observatory Hive 3 3 0 - - 24. Taylor's Glasses 7/. 0 4 6 - - Payne's ditto 0 3 0 - - 25. Bell Glass 0 4 0 - - 26. " 0 2 0 - - 27. " 0 1 0 - - 28. " without knob and flat top to put on the table - inverted, price with lid 0 4 6 - - 29. Zinc Cover each 7/6 and 0 10 6 - - 30. Shallow Glasses (new shape) each 5/6 and 0 3 6 - - 31. Bee Dress and Protector 5/., by post 0 6 0 - - 37. Zinc Cover 0 16 6 - - 38. Ornamental ditto 2 5 0 - - 39. Bee House to contain Two Hives 3 10 0 - - 40. " " Twelve Hives £15. and 19 10 0 - - Woodbury Unicomb Hive - - 42. " Bar and Frame Hive, complete with outside - cover and super 3 3 0 - Stand for ditto, 10s. 6d. - - 44. Bottle Feeder 0 2 6 - - 45. Woodbury Straw Bar and Frame Hive (Stock Hive) 1 1 0 - - 46. Engraved Pressing Roller 0 7 6 - - 47. Impressed Wax Sheets or Artificial Combs per dozen 0 6 0 - - * * * * * - - -Transcriber Note - -Minor typos corrected. 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