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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 (1866) - 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: July 11, 2022 [eBook #68500] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Tom Cosmas developed from files made available on The - Internet Archive and placed in the Public Domain - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE APIARY; OR, BEES, -BEE-HIVES, AND BEE CULTURE (1866) *** - - - - -Transcriber Note - -Text emphasis denoted as _Italics_ and =Bold=. - - -[Illustration: Plate I. - -E. W. Robinson Delt. et Sc P 1865.] - - - - - 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. - - - -"Beaucoup de gens aiment les abeilles; je n'ai vu personne qui lea aima - médiocrement: on se passionne pour elles."--Gelieu. - - - LONDON: - KENT AND CO., PATERNOSTER ROW; - - GEO. NEIGHBOUR AND SONS, - 149, REGENT STREET, AND 127, HIGH HOLBORN; - AND ALL BOOKSELLERS. - 1866. - - - FOLKARD AND SON, - - PRINTERS, - - DEVONSHIRE STREET, QUEEN SQUARE. - -[Illustration] - - - - -PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. - - -It is a source of much gratification to find that we are called upon to -prepare another edition of this work in less than twelve months from -its first publication. - -No greater proof could have been afforded of the rapid advance which -the pursuit of bee-keeping is now making in this country. - -In the hope of rendering the present volume more useful and instructive -than its predecessor, and also in acknowledgment of the kind -approbation with which our earlier efforts have been received, we have -made several additions, and trust that the same may prove acceptable to -our readers. - -[Illustration] - - - - -PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. - - -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 inquiries. 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 following season, 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 -frequently 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. - -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. - -Some persons may consider we have used too many poetical quotations in -a book dealing wholly with matters of fact. We trust, however, that -the 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 Shakspeare, 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." - - Shakspeare's _Henry V., Act I., Scene 2._ - -[Illustration] - - - - -TABLE OF CONTENTS. - - Preface--Introductory 1 - - - SECTION I. - - Natural History of the Inhabitants of the Hive 3 - The Queen 4 - The Drone 11 - The Worker-bee 15 - Eggs of Bees 16 - Increase of Bees 18 - Swarming 21 - - - SECTION II. - - Anatomy and Physiology of the Bee 31 - Head 34 - Thorax, or Chest 40 - Abdomen 44 - - - SECTION III. - - Modern Bee-Hives. - - Nutt's Collateral Hive 50 - Neighbour's Improved Single-Box Hive 62 - Taylor's Amateur Shallow Box or Eight-bar Hive 65 - Neighbour's Improved Cottage 68 - Improved Cottage, without Windows 76 - Ladies' Observatory or Crystal Bee-hive 77 - Cottagers' Hive for taking Honey in Straw Caps - without the Destruction of the Bees 80 - Woodbury Bar and Frame Hives:--Wood 84 - Straw 85 - Glass 88 - Frame 89 - Improved Comb Bar 90 - Compound Bar and Frame 91 - Super and Cover 93 - Taylor's Improved Cottage Hive 96 - " Eight-Bar Straw 95 - Neighbour's Unicomb Observatory Hive 97 - Woodbury 102 - Stewarton or Ayrshire Hive 109 - Huber's Hive 118 - - - SECTION IV. - - Exterior Arrangements and Apparatus. - - Bee House to contain Two Hives 123 - " " Twelve Hives 126 - " " Nine Hives 128 - Evening Thoughts in January 129 - Ornamental Zinc Cover 131 - Zinc Cover 132 - Taylor's Cover of Zinc 132 - Bell Glasses 133 - Taylor's Glasses 133 - Payne's Glass 134 - Taylor's Bell Glass with lid 135 - Guide-Comb for Glasses 135 - Exterior and Interior of an Apiary 138 and 139 - The New Bottle-Feeder 140 - Round Bee-Feeder 143 - Zinc Fountain Bee-Feeder 144 - Honey Cutters 145 - Fumigator 145 - Tube Fumigator 147 - Bee-Dress or Protector 148 - Engraved Pressing Roller, for the Guidance - of Bees in the Construction of Honey-comb - on the Bars 150 - Impressed Wax Sheets for Artificial Combs 151 - - - SECTION V. - - Manipulation and Uses of Bar and Frame Hives 157 - Putting on Super Hive 162 - Taking out Frames with Combs 163 - Advantages of Bar and Frame Hives 168 - Artificial Swarming 169 - Royal Brood 173 - Queen Cages 175 - Driving 179 - Changing Old Stocks to New Hives 182 - Weighing Hives, &c. 185 - - - SECTION VI. - - Miscellaneous Information. - - Stings: their Prevention and Cure 189 - Pollen, or Food for Infant-Bees 193 - Propolis, or Bees' Cement 195 - Pasturage for Bees 197 - The Ligurian or Italian Alp Bee 200 - Living Bees at the International Exhibition - of 1862, Sending Bees to Australia, &c. 213 - Bee-keeping in London 215 - Wasps and Moths 223 - Draining Honey from the Combs 230 - Diseases of Bees 232 - General Remarks 238 - On the First Flight of Bees in Spring 250 - - - APPENDIX. - - Testimonials of the Press. - - Great Exhibition of 1851:-- - From the "Cottage Gardener" 255 - " "Illustrated London News" 255 - " "Express" 255 - International Exhibition of 1862:-- - From the "Illustrated London News" 259 - " "Journal of Horticulture" 259 - - " "Illustrated News of the World" 261 - - " "Gardener's Weekly Magazine" 261 - - Bath and West of England Agricultural Show - at Exeter in June, 1863:-- - From the "Journal of Horticulture" 264 - " "Western Times" 264 - " "Devon Weekly Times" 267 - " "Exeter Gazette" 267 - Royal Agricultural Show, Newcastle, 1864:-- - From the "Northern Daily Express" 268 - Royal Agricultural Show, Plymouth, 1865:-- - From the "Journal of Horticulture" 270 - - * * * * * - -ERRATUM. - -At eleventh line from bottom of page 111, for "three," read "those." - - [Transcriber Note: Correction seems to have been made.] - - - - -DESCRIPTION OF PLATES. - - - PLATE I.--(Frontispiece.) - - 1. Queen-Bee. - 1_a_. Antenna of ditto. - 1_b_. Hind leg of ditto. - 1_c_. Front view of head of ditto. - 1_d_. Mandible of ditto. - 2. Worker, or imperfect female. - 2_a_. Antenna of ditto. - 2_b_. Hind leg of ditto, inner side showing the pollen-brushes. - 2_b_*. Ditto, outer side showing the pollen-basket. - 2_c_*. Side view of head. - 2_c_. Back view of ditto, showing the junction of the gullet with - the thorax, and position of the tongue and its appendages. - 2_d_. Mandible. - 3. Male, or drone. - 3_a_. Antenna of ditto. - 3_b_. Hind leg of ditto. - 3_c_. Front view of head of ditto. - 3_d_. Mandible of ditto. - A. Enlarged view of the wing. B. Hind edge of fore wing - showing the thickened margin, and fore edge of hind - wing, showing the hooks, which hold on to the thickened - margin of the fore wing and keep them together during - flight. - - PLATE II.--<sc>Page 31.</sc> - - 1. Body of a bee divested of antennæ, legs, and wings, showing - the anatomy of the thorax and natural position of the - stomach. - 5* The eyes. - _a._ The ocelli. - _bbb._ The muscles that move the wings. - _c._ The external covering of the thorax. - _ee._ The bases of the wings. - _d._ The honey-bag, or first stomach. - _f._ The ventricle, or true stomach, distended with food. - _g._ The rectum. - _h._ The biliary vessels. - _i._ Portion of the membranous tissue lining the inner surface of - the segments, and enclosing the stomach and intestines. - _q._ The stomach emptied of its contents, to show the muscular - contraction of the ventricle. - _d._ The honey-bag. - _f._ The ventricle. - _g._ The rectum. - _h._ The biliary vessels. - _i._ The ligula, or tongue, and its appendages. - _l._ The base of the ligula. - _m._ Maxillary palpi. - _n._ The maxilla. - _o._ The labial palpi. - _p._ The tongue. - 4. The sting and its muscles. - _g._ The attachment of the muscles to the outer covering of the - abdomen. - _r._ Muscles that move the sting. - _s._ Curved base of the sheaths that enclose the sting. - _t._ Poison-bag. - _u._ Glands connected with the poison-bag. - _v._ Honey-plates covering the muscles _r_, and to which the - sheaths of the stings are attached at _s_. - **. Base of sting connecting with the poison-bag _t_. - 4*. Magnified view of point of sting, showing the serrations on - each side. - 5. Three hexagonal prisms of a bee's eye (Swammerdam). - 6. Abdominal plates of the bee, detached to show the wax-cells. - 7. Eggs of bee, natural size, and magnified (from Reaumur) - 8. Helminthimorphous, or apodal larva of a bee (Reaumur). - -[Illustration] - - - - - THE APIARY - - OR, - - BEES, BEE-HIVES, & BEE-CULTURE. - - -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. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - - - -I.--NATURAL HISTORY OF THE INHABITANTS OF THE HIVE. - - -Every hive or bee colony comprises in summer 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. That _honey bees_ should live in society, as they do in -hives, is absolutely needful. A bee, in an isolated condition, is a -very helpless, delicate little creature, soon susceptible of cold, and -paralysed thereby, unless able to join her companions before night -comes on. By congregating in large numbers, bees maintain warmth, -whatever the external temperature may be. - -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. - -Appropriately styled, by German bee-keepers, the mother-bee, is the -only perfectly developed female among the whole population of each -separate colony. Thus her majesty indisputably sways her sceptre by -a divine right, because she lives and reigns in the hearts of loving -children and subjects. - -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 practised 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;[3] 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 path, so great is their anxiety not to interfere with the royal -progress. - -[Footnote 3: Yellow Italian queens form an exception in point of -colour. See frontispiece, fig. I.] - -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 licence, 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 hive under -two distinct banners, and so create a civil war, in which the members -of the rival bands would kill and destroy each other for matters they -individually have little or no concern about: for the bees care not -which queen it is, so 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 larvae 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 the "Unicomb -Observatory Hive" is 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, - Nor 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 slowness of 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. The drone that happens to -be the selected husband is by no means so fortunate as at first sight -may appear, for it is a law of nature that the bridegroom does not -survive the wedding-day. Her majesty, although thus left, a widowed, -is by no means a sorrowful, bride, for she soon becomes the happy -mother of a large family. It cannot be said that she pays no respect -to the memory of her departed lord, for she never marries again. -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 by chance been -deprived of her, the massacre of the drones is deferred. 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,[4] 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. - -[Footnote 4: Italian workers form an exception in point of colour. See -Plate I., fig. 2.] - - -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 (Plate II., fig. 7) of all the three kinds of bees, when -first deposited, are of an oval shape, and of a pearly-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 (Plate II., fig. 8), 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 cells 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. The eggs of drones require twenty-four days, and -those of queens sixteen days, to arrive at maturity, and are hatched -in warm summer weather, a higher temperature being necessary. In the -Unicomb Observatory Hives, 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, -such as the nursing before alluded to, or secreting wax, and in (say) a -week issues forth to the more laborious occupation of gathering honey -in the fields--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 -is it 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. If all those princesses -were to become monarchs, or mother-bees, and to emigrate with a -proportionate number of workers, increase would be going on more -rapidly; but the old stock would be so impoverished thereby as possibly -to yield no surplus honey, whilst the swarms might come off too late -for them to collect sufficient store whereon to grow populous enough to -withstand the winter. - -With bees, as with men, "union is strength;" and it is often better -to induce them to remain as one family, rather than to part numbers -at a late period of the honey-gathering season, without a prospect -of supporting themselves, and so perish from cold and hunger during -the ordeal of the winter season. Would it not in such cases have -been better for the little folk, to have kept under one roof through -the winter, and to have been able to take full advantage of the -following early spring? This is one of the great secrets of successful -bee-keeping. - -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:-- - - "Ah! 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 commence 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 favourable. -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, - Flaps his unwieldy 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 laburnum 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 be 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 suitable 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 closes 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 floor-board -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 of Italian bees they number -40,000 and upwards. Five thousand 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. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: Plate II. - -E. W. Robinson Delt. et Sc P 1865.] - -[Illustration] - - - - -II.--ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE BEE. - - -Although the principal object in compiling the present work has been -the endeavour to induct our readers into the way of keeping bees -according to the most recent and approved methods, it requires but -little apology for thus apparently deviating from our prescribed -course, by devoting a small portion of our space to a description of -the anatomy of the wonderful little creatures whose labours all our -contrivances are intended to assist, and since it will at once be -admitted that a knowledge of their habits is not only interesting to -the bee-keeper, but enables him to conduct his apiary in accordance -therewith. - -Of the insect tribe, the bee is certainly the most distinguished; with -the exception of the silkworm, none can approach her in ministering to -the wants, or rather to the luxuries, of the human family. The instinct -bees possess for feeding on flowers, bringing home honey and pollen, -and secreting wax, entitles them to our close consideration of their -structure and of the tools provided them by Nature for carrying on -their handiwork. - -In a treatise of this kind, intended to be of a popular character, we -shall endeavour to place these details before our readers in a concise -and simple manner, avoiding as much as may be technical terms, and -referring those who wish to go more deeply into this branch of the -subject to the works of Bonnet, Huber, Kirby and Spence, Dr. Bevan, &c. -. - -In the course of our description, we shall frequently have to refer -to the steel engravings, Plates I. and II., drawn by Mr. E. W. -Robinson, artist to the Entomological Society of London, who has most -carefully dissected bees we sent him for the purpose, subjected these -dissections to the microscope, and skilfully produced the accompanying -illustrations, which will so much assist us in our agreeable task. -These delineations are so clear, that a little explanation will suffice -to bring home to the understanding of the curious the component parts -of the bee, and the uses to which the various members are applied. - -Because the bee is so small an insect, its organization ought not to be -neglected to be investigated. "The bee is little among such as fly, but -her fruit is the chief of sweet things." The enlightened Boyle, when -contemplating the wonders of Nature, declared that his astonishment -had been more excited by the mite than by the elephant; and that his -admiration dwelt "not so much on the _clocks_ as on the _watches_ of -creation."[5] - -[Footnote 5: Dr. Bevan.] - -The figures 1, 2, and 3, Plate I., in the frontispiece, respectively -represent the exterior forms of the queen, the worker, and the -drone. They are thus coloured to illustrate the Yellow Italian Alp, -or Ligurian bee, now deservedly held in such high estimation by -bee-keepers, and of whose good qualities we shall, in a subsequent -section of this work, have occasion more fully to treat. All the -bees constituting a stock may not be of quite so bright a colour as -those represented: the old bees differ in appearance from the younger -ones;--darkened bodies and ragged wings, not grey hairs and wrinkled -faces, are the signs of old age; so that with bees (especially -Ligurians), as with the gentler sex of the human race, there is -appointed a period both of youth and beauty. - -The anatomical structure of our English bee is much the same as that of -the Italian;[6] a description of the one will therefore serve for the -other. The most apparent difference consists in the colour. The English -bee is of a blackish brown; both varieties have their bodies wholly -covered with close-set hairs. These hairs deserve particular attention, -because, although so small, each hair is _feather-shaped_, consisting -of a stem and branches somewhat analogous to the feathers of birds. -This form is extremely serviceable to the insect, when revelling in the -corolla of flowers, to collect the farina, and, besides thus useful, is -peculiarly adapted for retaining animal heat.[7] - -[Footnote 6: Naturalists consider the Italian bee a very superior race, -and that the various organs are stronger and of greater capacity; it -is, however, not easy to define the precise anatomical superiority.] - -[Footnote 7: "Naturalist's Library."] - -The insect is divided into three parts--the _head_, the _thorax_ or -_chest_, and the _abdomen_. - -The head of the queen (Plate I., fig. 1 _c_), as also that of the -drone (Plate I., fig. 3 _c_), is rounder than that of the worker-bee. -The latter (Plate I, fig. 2 _c_) is of a triangular shape, and much -flattened, as in Plate I., fig. 2* _c_, which shows the side view. In -common with other creatures, the head contains the inlet for nutrition, -and is the seat of the principal organs of sensation. - -In the figures before alluded to may be seen the double visual -apparatus with which bees are provided. The oval divisions on each side -of the head are the two eyes, the secondary organs of vision being the -three small eyes on the top of the head, called the _ocelli_. We shall -first describe the two larger eyes, which, as seems to be the case -with all insects, are immovable, and have neither irides nor pupils, -nor eyelids to cover them, but are protected from the dust or pollen -of flowers by a number of small hairs, as well as by a horny tunicle, -which defends and secures them from injury. The multitude of hexagonal -lenses which compose the eye of a bee make it appear, when viewed -through a microscope, exactly like honey-comb.[8] A German writer -computes that in each eye there are 3,500 lenses. In Plate II., fig. 5 -represents three of these hexagonal prisms or lenses, magnified. - -[Footnote 8: Dr. Bevan.] - -The construction of the eye for seeing objects best at a moderate -distance will account for the fact that bees mount high up into the air -after collecting their store of food, and then, having determined the -point, no matter how far off, they fly homewards with the directness -of a cannon ball, and alight at the door of their own habitation, -though the country around may be crowded with hives: but on reaching -the entrance, their vision appears defective, for they then feel their -way with the antennæ as if totally blind; and should the hive have been -moved a little, they will rise again into the air to obtain a more -distant view, suited to the lengthened focus of their sight. - -When a stock or swarm is brought from a distance, bees do not take -their departure at once, but reconnoitre awhile, visiting surrounding -objects so as to well know the spot again, in order to return thereto. - -The precise purpose or use of the three small eyes does not appear -to be exactly known, except that they are intended to heighten the -general sense of seeing which the creature so peculiarly requires. Some -naturalists suggest that they are to give a defensive vision upwards -from the cups of flowers. - -The mouth of the bee is a most complex structure, marvellously -adapted for its duties, and consists of the mandibles, the ligula, or -tongue, also called the proboscis, and other less important parts. -The mandibles are the two sides of the upper jaw. Plate I., fig. 1 -_d_, shows the mandible of the queen, which, similar to that of the -drone (Plate I., fig. 3 _d_), is provided with two teeth, whilst the -mandible of the worker (Plate I., fig. 2 _d_) is without teeth. The -latter having to manipulate the wax with smoothness, the teeth would -doubtless be objectionable. These mandibles are strong, horny, and -sharp-pointed, to assist in breaking down food between them, and, in -other respects, constitute serviceable tools with which to seize their -enemies, destroy the drones, &c. The tongue (Plate II., fig. 3), or -proboscis, is a long, slender projection, flattish in form, and about -the thickness of a bristle. It has about forty cartilaginous rings, -each of which is fringed with minute hairs, having also a small tuft -of hair at its extremity, where it is somewhat serrated. The tongue -acts by rolling about, sweeping or lapping up, by means of the fringes -around it, everything to which it is applied; thus, when a bee alights -upon a flower, it pierces the petals and stamina, where the nectar is -secreted, deposits its collection on the tongue, which, when withdrawn -into the mouth, propels the gathered material into the gullet (Plate -I., fig. 2 _c_) at its base, and from thence passes into the various -internal organs, to which reference will be made hereafter. At times, -in building combs, the tongue is used as a trowel, with which the -minute scales of wax are deposited in their appropriate places, and the -desired finish is given to the cells. This organ was formerly described -by naturalists as a hollow tube, but we now know, by dissection, that -this is not the case, but that it acts as a brush, and, by a peculiar -muscular contraction externally, draws the liquid into the mouth. Thus, -when a bee is imbibing food, the rings of the abdomen have a vibratory -motion similar to pumping, showing to the casual observer that suction -is rapidly going on in some form or other. - -The labial palpi (Plate II., fig. 3 _o_) rise from the base of each -side of this lapping instrument, and are also ciliated exteriorly; -outside these are the lower jaws, or maxillæ (Plate II., fig. 2 _n_), -similarly provided with hairs. When the jaws (Plate II., fig. 3 _n_ and -_o_) close on the tongue, they form a sheath or defence thereto. - -With the mandibles of the upper jaw opening right and left, and the -maxillæ or lower jaws, which serve to hold the object laboured upon, -the insect prepares its work for the sweeping-up apparatus of the lower -parts. Thus, when combs become mouldy, or in any way unfit receptacles -for brood or honey, these tools provided by Nature serve the place of -hands, and the bees are able to chop up in small pieces, and remove -from their dwelling, whatever lumber of this kind may be offensive -to them. The whole of this apparatus, while perfect in action in an -expanded state, can be folded or coiled together when not in use, so -as to form one strong and well-protected instrument. - -The antennæ (Plate I., figs. 1_a_, 2_a_, 3_a_,) are most important -instruments, and are planted between or below the eyes and a little -below the ocelli, one on either side: they consist of a number of -tubular joints, each having a separate motion; being thus jointed -throughout their whole length, they are, therefore, capable of every -variety of flexure, and their extremities are exquisitely sensitive. -With the antennæ, these insects recognise their queen, and appear to -communicate to each other their joys and sorrows. For instance, if a -colony be deprived of its queen, bees may be seen rushing about the -hive, and, with a nervous twinge, crossing their antennæ and conveying -the intelligence of their forlorn state. The sense of touch is here -most acute. Huber points out a moonlight night as the best time for -observing the antennæ in this respect. The bees guarding against -the intrusion of moths, and not having light enough to see fully, -circumambulate their doors like vigilant sentinels, with the antennæ -stretched right before them; and woe to the moth that comes within -reach--the instant it is felt, its death follows. The sense of hearing -has been denied bees, whilst others contend that these organs are -situate in their antennæ. The sounds which bees emit, particularly -at swarming time, are conclusive that they possess this faculty; the -only reason for arriving at an opposite conclusion seems to be, that -no precise organ of hearing can be found. Naturalists are now more -united in the opinion that the seat of hearing is here located. The -antennæ are said to have also another office, viz., that they act -as a barometer, by which bees know the state of the weather and are -premonished of storms; so that this pair of horns play an important -part, since such useful faculties are thus combined. In the dark -recesses of the hive the antennas are exceedingly serviceable, and -may truly be denominated "eyes to the blind." Bees possess acutely -the senses of taste and smell. In consequence of their being detected -occasionally lapping the impure liquids from stable or other fœtid -drains, Huber considered the former the least perfect of their senses. -It is now ascertained that bees, like most animals, are fond of salt; -and in spring, more especially, their instinct teaches them that salt -is beneficial for their health after their winter confinement, and they -therefore resort to dunghills and Stagnant marshes, from which they -are, doubtless, able to extract saline draughts. - -It cannot be denied, however, that, according to our ideas, bees' -taste is otherwise at fault; it sometimes happens that, where onions -and leeks abound and are allowed to run to seed, bees are so anxious -to complete their winter stores, that, from feeding on these plants, -a disagreeable flavour is communicated to the honey. Again, the fact, -well known in history, related by Xenophon in the retreat of the Ten -Thousand, that bees in Asia Minor extracted honey from plants which -had not only a disagreeable but a poisonous tendency to man, shows that -it is quite possible, where such poisonous plants abound, for the bees -to extract the juices without any injury to themselves. - -The sense of smell, so largely possessed by bees, is extremely -serviceable to them. Attracted by the fragrance of flowers, bees may -be seen winging their way a considerable distance in an undeviating -course, even sometimes in the face of weather which one might have -thought they would not have braved. - -The thorax or chest approaches in figure to a sphere, and is united to -the head by a thread-like ligament. This is the centre of the organs -of motion. Here are attached both the muscles that move the legs and -wings, and the legs and wings themselves. - -In Plate II., fig. 1, _b, b, b_, show the muscles that move the wings; -_e, e_, the bases of the wings. - -The wings consist of two pairs of unequal size, which are hooked to -one another. In Plate I., fig. A, will be seen the margins of the -two wings. In fig. B are the eighteen or twenty hooks placed on the -anterior margin of the hinder wing, whilst the posterior margin of the -fore wing is beautifully folded over to receive them, so that, when -distended for flying, the two wings on each side act as one to steady -their movements in flight. - -The bee has six legs, three on either side. Each leg is composed of -several joints, having articulations like a man's arm, for the thigh, -the leg, and the foot. The foremost pair of these are the shortest; -with them the bee unloads the little pellets from the baskets on her -thighs: the middle pair are somewhat longer, and the hindmost the -longest of all. On the outside of the middle joint of these last there -is, in each leg, a small cavity, in the form of a marrow spoon, called -the "pollen basket." In Plate I., fig. 2 _b_ shows the inner side of -the hind leg and pollen brush; 2 _b*_, same figure, the outer side and -pollen basket. - -The legs are covered with hairs, more particularly the edges of the -cavity mentioned, in which the kneaded pollen requires to be maintained -securely. In this they convey those loads of pollen which are so -constantly seen carried into a hive. - -This basket, or pollen groove, in the thigh is peculiar to the worker; -neither queen nor drone have anything of the kind. - -Another provision of the bee's limbs consists in a pair of hooks -attached to each foot, with their points opposite to each other, by -means of which the bees suspend themselves from the roof or sides of -hives, and cling to each other as they do at swarming time or prior to -and during the formation of new comb, thus forming a living curtain. In -these circumstances, each bee, with its two fore claws, takes hold of -the two hinder legs of the one next above it. - -This mode of suspension is, no doubt, agreeable to them, although the -uppermost bees appear to be dragged by the weight of the whole. Wildman -supposed that bees had a power of distending themselves with air, to -acquire buoyancy, and thus lessen the burden of the topmost bees. They -find no difficulty in extricating themselves from the mass; the most -central of the group can make its way without endangering the stability -of the grape-like cluster. - -Bees are able to walk freely in an inverted position, either on -glass or other slippery substances. The peculiar mechanism of their -feet, which enables them to do so, consists in their having in the -middle of each hook a thin membranous little cup or sucker that -is alternately exhausted and filled with air. Flies have the same -beautiful apparatus--hence a fly commonly selects the ceiling for a -resting-place. These little air-cups, or exhausted receivers, may be -seen by applying a strong magnifying-glass to a window that has a -bee traversing the reverse side. The edges of these little suckers -are serrated, so as to close against any kind of surface to which -their legs may be applied. This apparatus may be also serviceable for -gathering the pollen before transmitting it to the baskets on the hind -legs. Besides these appendages and apparatus of the thorax, that region -is traversed by the œsophagus or gullet (the opening to which will be -found in Plate I, fig. 2 _c_), on its way to the digestive and other -organs, situate in the third part of the insect--viz., the abdomen. -The covering of the thorax, with the external covering of the gullet, -may be seen in the drawing of the magnified dissected body of the bee -(Plate II., fig. 1). - -The breathing apparatus of bees is a very remarkable feature: they -have no lungs, but, instead, air-vessels or tubes, ramifying through -every part of the frame. These openings, called "spiracles," are found -in the sides of their bodies, behind the wings. Two of the openings -are located in the thorax, and one on each side of the scales of the -abdomen. - -These air-vessels would be difficult to show in a drawing, the -multitude of hairs which protect them are in the way of getting at -a very distinct delineation. The writer has traced their oval form -by the aid of Messrs. Smith and Beck's "Binocular Microscope," and -exceedingly interesting objects they appeared. From the circumstance -of bees breathing through these orifices in their bodies, it will -not be difficult to understand how sadly the little creatures must -be inconvenienced when, by accident, they fall on loose mould, and -thus have their breathing pores choked with dust: it also shows how -needful it is to prevent bees being besmeared with honey (by using -bad appliances for feeding), which is still more injurious to them. -These air-vessels are the only real circulating system, as bees have -neither lungs, heart, liver, nor blood. It appears, however, that a -white fluid matter, called "chyle," which, in degree, answers the -purpose of blood, is produced in the intestines, nourishes the body, -receives the oxygen from the air-vessels, and generates that animal -warmth so necessary for the insect's well-being. Bees have the power -of counteracting superabundant heat by perspiration. Not unfrequently, -on a hot summer's morning, a good deal of moisture may be noticed at -the entrance of a crowded hive, which the inmates have been enabled to -throw off. This is a healthy sign, because a sign of great numerical -strength. - -The abdomen, attached to the posterior part of the thorax by a slender -ligament, has, for an outer covering, six folds or scales of unequal -breadth, overlapping each other, and contains the honey-bag, or first -stomach, the ventricle, or true stomach (Plate II., figs. 1 and 2_f_), -with other intestines, to be hereafter referred to. - -The honey-bag (Plate II., figs. 1 and 2, _d_) is an enlargement of the -gullet, and, although called the first stomach, no digestion takes -place here. In shape it is like a taper oil flask; when full, it is -about the size of a small pea, and so transparent that the colour of -the honey may be seen through it. This sac, as it is sometimes called, -is susceptible of contraction, and so organized as to enable the bee to -disgorge a part of its contents at pleasure, to fill the honey-cells of -the hive. It has formed a subject of some controversy whether any or -what change takes place in the nectar of flowers whilst in the bee's -stomach. - -A short passage (Plate II., figs. 1 and 2, _f_) leads to the ventricle -or true stomach, which is somewhat larger. This receives the food from -the honey-bag, for the nourishment of the bee and the secretion of wax. -The stomach, like the honey-bag, has a considerable number of muscles, -which are brought into play to help the digestive and other organs. The -biliary vessels (Plate II., figs. 1 and 2, _h, h_) receive the chyle -from the digested food in the stomach, which from thence is conveyed to -all parts of the body for its support. - -Formerly, naturalists thought that wax was elaborated from pollen; -but it is now fully known that it is the animal fat of the bees, and -to produce it requires a considerable consumption of honey to supply -the drain upon the system. Whilst this secretion is going on, bees -keep themselves very still. In order to pass through the pores of the -abdomen, the wax is, no doubt, a liquid oily matter, which, on making -its appearance outside the abdominal rings, thickens, and exudes from -under the four medial rings, in flakes like fish scales, one on either -side; so that there are eight of these secreting cavities, which are -peculiar to the worker: they are not found either in the queen or -drone. The shape of these cavities is that of an irregular pentagon, -and the plates of wax, being moulded in them, exhibit accordingly the -same form (see Plate II., fig. 5, _w_). - -No direct channel of communication between the stomach and these -receptacles, or wax-pockets, has yet been discovered; but Huber -conjectures that the secreting vessels are contained in the membrane -which lines these receptacles, and which is covered with a reticulation -of hexagonal meshes, analogous to the inner coat of the second stomach -of ruminant quadrupeds. - -The little plates of wax are withdrawn by the bee itself, with its -hind feet, carried to the mouth with its fore feet, where the wax is -made soft and ductile. When a cluster or swarm is placed in a new -hive, and the bees suspend themselves in the form of a garland, as -before described, it seems feasible that the lower bees pass their -secretions up the living ladder to the uppermost ones, to be moulded -by them into those beautiful white hexagonal shapes of which new comb -is composed. The rapidity with which comb-building progresses at such -times would lead to the supposition that there is a division of labour -of this kind among them, just as our labourers convey building material -to the artisan on the scaffold above. This work of comb-building is -carried forward in warm weather; a cold temperature interferes with the -secretion of wax. - -The last important organ of the abdomen is the sting: this small but -effective weapon is situate close to the stomach, and is found in the -queen and worker, but is absent in the drone. Our engraving (Plate 11., -fig. 4) exhibits the sting of the worker-bee, with its muscles and -attachments: _r_ shows the muscles that move the sting, and _q_ the -curved base of the sheath that encloses the sting. - -Much beautiful mechanism is observed on a microscopic examination of -this weapon and its appendages, so powerful in comparison with their -bulk. The sting is composed of three separate portions, _i. e._, two -sheaths (as seen in Plate II., fig. 4) and the barb. The sheaths, which -are attached to the powerful muscles on either side at _s_, are first -protruded in the act of stinging, and, clasping the barb, enables the -insect to bury it in the flesh to the depth of one-twelfth of an inch; -at the same time, by a muscular contraction, the poison is forced along -the groove, and the barb enters the wound, causing the well-known -painful effects which arise from the sting of a bee. - -The darts composing this instrument are furnished with teeth or barbs, -set obliquely on their outer side, which give it the appearance of an -arrow, and by which it is retained in the wound until the poison has -been ejected. - -If the sufferer could only command himself so as to remain perfectly -passive, the bee might be able to draw in these barbs which protrude -beyond the sheath, and would then have a chance of withdrawing the -sting: the little insect would consequently inflict less pain, and -might perhaps escape paying the penalty of her life. It generally -happens, however, that the excitement of both parties is so great, -that the poor bee leaves behind the whole apparatus, and even part -of her intestines, so that her death is the result, and the wound is -more severe. The sting is about the sixth part of an inch long, and -is largest at the base. Here are situated the glands or ducts (Plate -II., fig. 4, _u_). By these the poison is secreted, and passed into -the poison-bag (Plate II., fig. 4, _f_), which acts as a reservoir for -retaining it till required. - -On the subject of the sting, Paley remarks:--"The action of the sting -affords a beautiful example of the union of chemistry and mechanism: -of chemistry, in respect to the venom, which in so small a quantity -can produce such powerful effects; of mechanism, as the sting is not -a simple, but a compound instrument. The machinery would have been -comparatively useless had it not been for the chemical process, by -which, in the insect's body, honey is converted into poison; and, on -the other hand, the poison would have been ineffectual without an -instrument to wound, and a syringe to inject the fluid." - -As before stated, the drone has no sting, but, in place thereof, the -organs of reproduction. And now, in concluding this section, we would -remark the wonderful mechanism and finish all the works of the Great -Master Builder unfold. In the works of man we see, perhaps, a piece of -mechanism of unquestioned beauty and excellence; but there is a bolt -here or screw there that might have been dispensed with, and does not -possess any definite use, whilst in the works of Nature everything -has a place; we may not at once comprehend the exact purpose of some -intricate parts, but that only implies that we have not made a thorough -investigation. The most minute hair serves its required end. "Canst -thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto -perfection?" - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - - - -III.--MODERN BEE-HIVES. - - -NUTT'S COLLATERAL HIVE. - -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. - -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 nine inches high, nine inches wide, and -eleven 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 ten -inches in diameter and twenty 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 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. - -[Illustration] - -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 ninety 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 thirty-six 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 three 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 homey. 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, 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, three inches long and two inches 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. - -[Illustration] - -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 easily poured in by -pulling out the drawer a little way; the bees readily come down on to -the perforated zinc, and take the food by inserting their probosces -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 decay the wood, 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 sustained 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_. The period when symptoms of swarming -begin to present themselves 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 seventy-five -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 favourable for 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 eighty-five degrees. -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 -carefully take off the empty end box he intends to open to them, 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, performed 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 ninety-five 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 or 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 the foregoing 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 mode we prefer is as follows:--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 as 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 confined the bees in the glass for a -short time, you must see whether they 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 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: the bees will then 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 removal of the end boxes is a somewhat similar process, but they -should on no account be taken away, at the same time as the glass, or, -indeed, at a time when any other hive is being--_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, and 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, so far as he then -knew, the collateral system was his original invention. His statements -have been severely criticised, and it does appear almost incredible -that the weight of honey which he names could have been produced in one -season. 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 the 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 cottager in England has the means of saving -this most useful and valuable insect?" - - -NEIGHBOUR'S IMPROVED SINGLE BOX HIVE. - -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. - -[Illustration] - -It consists of a lower or stock-box A, eleven inches square, nine -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 nine inches wide, six 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 or 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 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 the 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 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 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 Nutt's hive. - - -TAYLOR'S AMATEUR SHALLOW BOX OR EIGHT-BAR HIVE. - -[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., thirteen and a half inches square -inside, A, the stock-box, is seven and a half inches deep; B, six and a -half inches: both are fitted with eight moveable bars, each bar being -one inch and an eighth wide, with spaces of half an inch between, and -all 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 five 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 half an inch wide and -nine inches long: these three boxes stand on a stout floor-board, in -which is cut the entrance way, four inches wide and three-eighths 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 eighteen inches square, and two -feet six 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, four feet three inches. - -The bars before alluded to are for the purpose of inducing the bees to -build parallel combs, for without such an arrangement 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 a 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, with which slightly warm the bar; then melt a -little bees'-wax upon it; draw the comb quickly over the heated iron, -hold it down on the centre of the bar, giving a very slight movement -backwards and forwards; then leave the wax to grow cold, and, if -cleverly managed, the guide will be found 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. - - -NEIGHBOUR'S IMPROVED COTTAGE HIVE. - -Our Improved Cottage Hive is neatly made of straw, bound with cane, -and therefore very durable.[9] 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 lbs. 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 one and a quarter inch thick, with -a projection of three or four inches under the entrance to form an -alighting place. This entrance is cut out of, or sunk in, the board. - -[Footnote 9: 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 as when it was bought."] - -[Illustration] - -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 fifteen -inches diameter, nine and a half inches deep outside; its weight, when -empty, seven and a half pounds. The cover, or top hive, is twelve -inches deep and fifteen inches in diameter; the ornamental zinc top -being four inches deep. The whole is about twenty-four 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,[10] 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. - -[Footnote 10: Sometimes swarms alight on trunks of trees or on walls, -where it may be difficult to shake or brush them off. In the _Journal -of Horticulture_, Mr. Woodbury mentions an instance of this kind, -which he experienced last summer:--"A swarm clustered among the large -branches of a pear-tree, just at their point of union with the trunk. -In this case he merely supported a straw hive just over the swarm with -the left hand, whilst he struck the trunk of the tree with the open -palm of the right. The vibration thus produced sent the bees up into -the hive with great rapidity, and the entire swarm was speedily hived -in the most satisfactory manner." A few whiffs of smoke will accelerate -upward movement of swarms in such circumstances.] - -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 always 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 at page 65. - -The directions for taking honey are much the same as before mentioned. -Some apiarians, however, consider that deprivation is more easily -accomplished by disconnecting the super over night, in the manner -described at page 58. The bee-keeper, equipped with bee-dress and -gloves, must first raise the glass of comb, and, blowing a little smoke -to intimidate and drive back the bees, wedge it up all round, an inch -or so from the crown-board, by means of three or four blocks, thus to -remain all night. This operation is best performed a little before -dusk. Bees are then less likely to come out, and if they should do so, -will speedily return. The opening in the crown-board remains unclosed, -to afford the bees the opportunity of descending, and joining the -stock-hive below, which they will naturally do for warmth. The upper -straw-hive, or cover for the glasses, is better placed on for the -night. Early in the following morning, before the bees are much about, -the super will be ready for removal. The few bees that remain within -may be speedily induced to quit, and will fly to the entrance. The -slides covering the holes in the crown-board must be inserted, or an -empty glass can be put on, to take the full one's place. A slide seven -and a half inches square is furnished with the hive; this is useful to -remove the glass upon. - -The holes in the wooden top of this hive are of a peaked shape, to -act as 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 entrance 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. - -Whilst on the subject of feeding, it may be well to suggest to the -bee-keeper, that, after the honey harvest, he should ascertain the -state of the stock-hive, because we have sometimes found that hives -which were very strong during summer, and which have yielded a good -supply of honey, have been left rather poorly off for the winter. No -doubt, under the impression that those nicely-filled supers which -the bees intended for themselves would be amply sufficient for their -sustenance, they have, for the most part, devoted the space below -to the queen for breeding, little imagining that the precious store -would be taken away, and consequently have left themselves too small -provision for autumn and winter. - -The apiarian having, therefore, so richly reaped the fruit of his bees' -labours, it is but right that he should guard against the labourers -themselves suffering any want therefrom. The state of the interior of -the hive may be ascertained by applying a weighing machine, and the -requisite supply administered by feeding. Both weighing machine and -feeder are described further on. - -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 hives combine these -advantages in a greater degree than Neighbour's improved cottage hive. - - -IMPROVED COTTAGE HIVE WITHOUT WINDOWS. - -This 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 OR CRYSTAL BEE-HIVE. - -[Illustration] - -The following engraving illustrates the construction of the Ladies' -Observatory Hive. The stock-hive is cylindrical, with a flat top and -a hole in the centre; the dimensions twelve and a half inches inside, -eight and a half inches deep; the outer cover being raised, and made -of stout glass, so as not easily to break. A support, composed of even -wooden bars fixed on a pedestal from the floor-board, 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, eighteen inches -deep, fifteen inches wide, with a zinc ventilating top similar to that -affixed to the cottage 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 will also 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 at the Great Exhibitions of -1851 and 1862, fixed after 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 floor-board 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 floor-board 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 floor-board. 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 continue 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 improved 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 maybe used for the purpose. - - -COTTAGER'S HIVE, 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 seven or eight inches deep, fourteen inches across the bottom, -finished with a wooden hoop, which adds very much to the firmness and -durability of the hive. The floor-board is one and a quarter inch -thick, with a way sunk therein for the entrance. A small round mat of -straw closes the hole in 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 floor-board, is about 7 lbs. - -The super or cap hive is about seven inches deep, eight 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 water-proof 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 at pages 21 and 72. - -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 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 sealed 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. - - -WOODBURY BAR AND FRAME HIVES. - -[Illustration] - -Mr. Woodbury's Bar and Frame Hive, as originally made, consists of -a wooden box, fourteen and a half inches square inside, nine 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 three-eighths 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 -seven-eighths of an inch wide, and rests in notches, with a space of -half an inch between each. The frames extend to within three-eighths of -an inch of the floor-board, 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 floor-board is one and a quarter inch thick, having -two "keys" on the under side to prevent warping. - -WOODBURY STRAW BAR AND FRAME HIVE. - -[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 -wanner 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 a machine made 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 floor-board is one and a quarter 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, four 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 -three-eighths 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, four inches in -diameter, closes the opening. - - -WOODBURY'S 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 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. - - -FRAMES. - -[Illustration] - -As before mentioned, each stock-hive has ten of these frames--each -thirteen inches long, by seven and a quarter inches high, with a -five-eighths of an inch projection at each upper end, which rests in -the notch, either back or front. The width, both of the bar and frame, -is seven-eighths of an inch; this is less, by a quarter 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 seven-eighths 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. - - -IMPROVED COMB BAR. - -[Illustration: Section of 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 one-eighth of an inch in breadth and depth. This -central rib extends to within half 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 ensure 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 those 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 half an inch wide, rests on the floor-board; -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 to fall slightly towards the entrance, so as to allow the moisture -inside the hive, caused by the exhalations of the bees, to run off. - - -COMPOUND BAR FRAME. - -[Illustration] - -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 thirteen -and a quarter inches long, by seven-eighths of an inch wide, and -three-eighths of an inch thick. When the comb bar is in its place, -the whole forms a frame thirteen inches long, by seven and a quarter -inches high (inside measure), with five-eighths 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, become 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 anyone prefer them, they can -be supplied at the same price as the common frames. 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, thirteen inches inside, six inches deep, -with eight bars (without frames). The above engraving represents the -super used with the bar and frame hive. - -[Illustration] - -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. - - -COVERS. - -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 the 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. We have obviated 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, 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 twelve inches apart; to these two -rails, about two inches square, are nailed, and upon these the hives -firmly rest. Care should be taken not to have the hives nearer together -than eighteen 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. - -[Illustration] - -This hive is similar in principle to the cottager's. 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 -four-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 as to stocking and management, see -directions for cottager's and improved cottage hives, pages 72 and 83. - - -EIGHT-BAR STRAW HIVE. - -[Illustration] - -This is an ingenious contrivance of Mr. Taylor's. Hoops are worked in -the straw, both at the top and bottom of the stock-hive, and in the -upper hoop are openings cut to receive eight comb bars; each bar is one -inch and an eighth wide, with a space of half an inch between. Since -the introduction of square straw bar and frame hives, these hives have -not been much in request. Considerable inconvenience is found to arise, -because the bars, being of unequal lengths, cannot be interchanged one -with the other. - -The description given of Taylor's Amateur 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. - -This hive is well adapted for those persons who are desirous of having -the opportunity of closely examining the workmanship of the industrious -and interesting inmates. It is particularly intended for a window -recess or an indoor apiary, and will also be found an interesting -addition to the green-house. Bees cease to appear disturbed when -exposure to the light is continuous. This discovery enables the -bee-keeper to gain a full inspection. The hive should be screened -from the direct rays of the sun, which would worry the inmates, and -be otherwise prejudicial. 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 described for the ladies' observatory hive (page 78). - -[Illustration] - -The unicomb hive is constructed of so narrow a width between thin -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 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, at evening time, -place the hive on its side, oil the ground (having already spread a -sheet, or large white cloth, underneath); unfasten the side of the -hive which is hinged, turn this sash quite back, very gently lift the -straw hive containing the swarm; then, with a sudden shake, dash as -large a portion of the bees into the unicomb hive as can be done in a -few seconds. Have ready a feather or, better still (because firmer), -a goose-wing; with this, quickly brush the bees off the edges of the -frames, also from the rabbets against which the glass side closes, in -order to prevent killing any; then gently spread them, so that the -glass, when closed, shall not shut against the congregated mass in the -middle. When thus ready for closing up, which should be quickly done, -fasten the side, and turn the hive right end upwards, with the entrance -towards those bees that are outside. The bees will not, probably, have -all been ejected from the straw hive at the first brush, and will -require a few sharp raps on the cloth to clear the hive. The moving -mass now congregating without, upon discovering that so large a portion -of their companions have found a home, with (as is generally the case) -the queen safely housed, will hasten to join them. It is a pretty sight -to see the labourers crowding in like a little army, with their heads -pointing in the same direction, making for the desired home, which they -will slowly but surely enter, with fanning wings and a happy hum. - -Considerable help may be afforded by gently collecting the stragglers -in a table-spoon, and shaking them off close to the entrance. - -In about an hour, all the bees will have entered the hive, which may -now be bodily taken to the place previously made ready for it, and -which it is intended permanently to occupy,--a shelf, the size of the -bottom of the hive, with a sloping piece of wood four inches wide, -forms a firm bracket and a substantial stand,--these and all other -preparations, such as cutting the opening, fixing the alighting-board, -&c., having been previously accomplished when the hive was empty. - -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. Such precaution is found essential if the bees remain in this -hive during whiter, and very much adds to their comfort on cold nights -at most periods of the year. In the day time, in summer months, 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. As soon as the -bees are settled, comb-building will immediately commence, and in about -two weeks' time there will be 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 Elysees, 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 similar hives as -previously constructed. The engraving shows the interior compartment -divided into six; these are sis 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 each 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, anyone -possessing a Woodbury box or straw bar and frame hive can readily -commence an unicomb, and as readily put the combs and bees back into -the square hive again. The outside shutters on each 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 each 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 was 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 outside -dimensions are nearly three feet square, and seven 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 eighteen 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 the hive to turn 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.[11] 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. - -[Footnote 11: 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. - -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 9, 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, -can be inserted in any other frame-hives in the garden in which there -may be vacancies. - -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 removable, 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 it 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, we -have used treble glass with a space between each square; greater warmth -is thus obtained, 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." - - -THE STEWARTON, OR AYRSHIRE HIVE. - -[Illustration] - -The Stewarton Hive is so often spoken of, and in such favourable terms, -by bee-keepers, that we deem it necessary to give it a place here, -and to supply some explanation of its construction and management. We -consider this especially needful, as some of the principles of its -management are so imperfectly understood, that frequent mistakes are -made, and also because, for the convenience of bee-keepers, we keep a -supply of these hives on hand. - -The name is derived from their having been first manufactured at -Stewarton, in Scotland; and they are still made so well, and at so -moderate a price in that country, that London workmen are unable to -compete in their manufacture. Our supply is therefore from that source; -so that, with a little addition for carriage, the price approximates -that of the makers themselves, affording a convenience to many of our -apiarian friends in being able to obtain these hives in London. - -Our engraving shows the four boxes set up. These constitute the hive. -We will suppose that the young bee-keeper has just received the four -octagonal boxes, with the bundles of grooved slides (of which there -are nearly forty); about one half of these slides are short pieces, -similarly cut to the longer ones. These are to fill up the openings -where the slides are not put in, or are required to be withdrawn, as -hereafter explained. He will find himself in possession of four boxes -so neatly dove-tailed on the bevel, that, if he be of a mechanical -turn, he will not only be surprised at the way in which they are put -together, but also at the price for which they are offered. Three of -the boxes, A, B, C, technically called "body boxes," are precisely -similar, each being fourteen inches in diameter and five and a half -inches deep inside. Nine bars range along the top of each box. These -are not movable, but are so constructed to induce the correct and -regular building of the combs. The fourth box, D, is the depriving -box or super, is only four inches deep, and the same in diameter as -the others. This being the honey-box, it is furnished with seven wide -fixed bars, instead of nine, because, as stated at page 93, bees -construct deeper receptacles to contain the honey than for breeding -in: thus, should the queen go up into this compartment, she may find -the cells are too much elongated to enable her to reach the base, when -her body is inserted for the purpose of depositing an egg. We have -too much confidence in her majesty's sagacity to expect her to make -such an attempt in honey-cells thus elongated; doubtless she will only -look and pass on, seeking more suitable depositories, and confine -her nursery to those lower regions where she is welcome. The honey is -thus kept pure, and that which not unfrequently mars the qualify of a -super--viz., cells that either contain brood or have been bred in--is -prevented. Each box is furnished with two small windows, back and -front, closed by sliding shutters, by which opportunity is afforded for -inspecting the progress made, and also of knowing when the time has -arrived that the cells are filled and the box may be taken away. - -Each of the boxes, A, B, C, is furnished with an entrance-way, four -inches wide, half an inch high, a wooden slide either wholly or -partially closing same, as required. When at work, the bees only need -one entrance open, and that at the lowest box. The long slides before -mentioned are pushed in to their respective receptacles from the back -of the hive, to close the openings between the bars; those of them -that are shorter will be seen to belong to the sides of the octagon, -and the ends are cut angular to suit the form of the box. A little -examination will suffice to show the right allotment of the slides, the -appropriation of which may be said somewhat to resemble the putting -together of a child's puzzle. - -The box B must be left open at the interstices that correspond with the -box A, placed above, the little openings being closed by the insertion -of the ten sections of slides, thus leaving free communication inside -with the upper box A, and admitting of no outlet for the bees, except -at the entrance. - -When the four boxes are placed above each other, the structure measures -twenty-two inches high. - -The Scotch carpenters send no floor-board, and no covering or roof for -the top to shoot off the rain; they evidently expect that the purchaser -is provided with a shed or bee-house of some kind, and also with a -floor-board. Should the apiarian, however, not have these necessaries, -we can supply the deficiency. - -The sides of the boxes are furnished with wooden buttons, which, when -turned round, keep each box exactly in its place above the other: there -are also projecting irons or screw heads for tying the two boxes A and -B together, preparatory to hiving the swarm; or if the boxes stand out -exposed, all may be thus secured, to prevent their being blown over by -high winds. - - -_Directions for Management._ - -Take the two boxes A and B, made one by the junction before mentioned, -and similarly inside by the free communication afforded. Shake the -swarm in as described at page 28, just as with a common cottage hive. - -If the weather be favourable, these two boxes will be nearly filled in -ten days. To get the full advantage of the Stewarton hive the first -year, put two swarms into two body boxes, A and B; if the two are too -small, then add the other box C. Allow the bees to remain there till -they have nearly filled the body boxes with comb, which (with this -increased number of workers, and in favourable weather) should be from -five to ten days. Two swarms are seldom procurable the same day, so as -then to be joined together, and even if they were, there is a doubt -whether greater progress may not be attained by hiving a swarm a week -or so earlier than the other, so as to build comb and raise brood ready -for the reception of the new comers. - -The second swarm is added best in the evening, after the bees have -ceased working. For this purpose spread a sheet on the ground, place -two sticks so as to prevent the box being close to the ground, then, -with a sudden knock, eject the bees of the second swarm on to the -cloth, and place the two body boxes that contain the earlier swarm over -the dislodged bees; these will, in the course of an hour or so, ascend -and become one family, and one of the queens will be speedily destroyed. - -In the meantime, prepare the shallow honey-box D, by fixing small -pieces of worker guide-comb, of pure white colour, on the centre of -each side bar. If, however, a box of honey with neatly made, straight, -and quite regular comb be desired, a piece of this guide-comb must be -fixed to the centre of each bar. If guide-comb be unobtainable, strips -of the impressed wax sheets or artificial comb (hereafter described) -will be found excellent substitutes.[12] - -[Footnote 12: The body boxes may be prepared in a similar manner.] - -When selecting guide-comb, avoid combs with drone-cells; to fix these -is setting the bees a bad pattern. Honey stored in drone-combs has -more wax, and is coarser in appearance and taste. Having satisfied -yourself, by peeping in at the windows, and from symptoms at the -entrance, that the original boxes are well filled, place your prepared -honey-box on the top, draw a slide at each side of the middle box to -afford communication, and insert the little plugs. It is not so well to -withdraw the middle slides, because the queen is more likely to ascend -from the centre. When you notice that the bees have fairly commenced -work in the honey-box and are likely to keep to it, the remaining box -C may be added below the stock, which will afford additional room and -prevent swarming, exchanging the entrance to the newly-furnished box -and sliding in pieces wood to close the aperture of that above. - -Should the bees begin making comb in the bottom box, draw two more -slides for freer access into the super, as there will then be little -risk of the queen ascending, having so much range for egg-laying in the -three lower boxes. - -In very fine weather, a good swarm or stock will fill a honey-box in -the space of two weeks; but a much longer time is usually occupied. - -The more quickly the box is filled, the purer will be the colour of -the comb and honey, because bees very much discolour their work when -they have it long on hand. Before taking off the honey-box, observe -particularly that the combs are well sealed at the windows, because, as -mentioned at page 83, this portion of the work is always left till the -last. - -When you see that all is ready for the removal of a box, select -the middle of a fine day for the purpose (not omitting to don the -bee-armour). Draw out one or two of the slides, and give the bees a -few gentle puffs, either of fungus or of tobacco smoke, from the tube -fumigator, which will cause the majority of the bees to descend into -the body of the hive; then stop the communication, by pushing in the -slides. Next, with a spatula, make a slight opening for a piece of -strong thin twine at the front of the box, and immediately behind the -thread two thin wedges; with the two ends in hand, work the twine -gently forward, bringing the wedges, after, until the opposite side is -reached. This will remove any obstruction caused by the bees having -attached their combs to the top of the next box, and thus leave the -super entirely free for removal. It will be as well, for the reasons -stated at page 58, not to remove the box immediately. After waiting an -hour, the box may be taken off, and conveyed to a quiet place. Should -any bees remain, they will be glad, after their confinement, to escape -to the parent hive; or if you have an empty hive to put over, by -gently drumming the sides, the remaining bees will ascend and leave -the box at your disposal. The bees driven into the empty box may now -be shaken out in front of the mouth of the hive. Another plan is to -cut off the communication over night, and raise the hive on wedges, as -recommended to be adopted with the super (page 73). - -Before winter sets in, the box C may be removed and the comb it -contains (if well filled) be used for consumption: if the comb be -empty, let it remain carefully preserved from moth and insects; it will -be invaluable next season. Empty comb may be thus preserved by tying -or pasting a piece of stout newspaper closely round the bottom, and -keeping the box in a dry place. - -Feeding, when required, may be liberally pursued, by withdrawing two -slides and supplying a bottle-feeder. Enough food should be given in -the early autumn to last until spring. - -The chief value of the Stewarton hive consists in the boxes being -shallow, so that the combs are more likely to be well filled down to -the base. This is a great advantage with supers, particularly when -required to be sent to a distance, as there is less likelihood of the -combs breaking down. A fine super of honey, that would be valuable, is -materially depreciated when it reaches its destination in a damaged -state, with the honey running from the cells. For the same reason, -when the weather is hot and the rays of the sun fall on the hive, the -combs might part from their foundations if there were no intermediate -bars, which is now the case in the stock-hive, composed as it is of two -boxes. If these two boxes were in one, the depth of each comb would be -twelve inches; and when filled with brood and honey, would probably -weigh 10 lbs. This is a great weight to be supported in hot summer -weather, when the wax is softened by the heat. Another distinguishing -feature that the Stewarton hive possesses is the use of the box C, -which, by giving increased room, as the season advances, prevents -what is often an annoyance to the apiarian, viz., a late swarm--too -late to be of any value, and impoverishing the stock by a division of -its numbers, thereby perhaps impeding the completion of the super. -A further advantage of the box c, is that it induces the bees (who -frequently hang in dusters about the entrance) to carry on their -labours instead of remaining in enforced idleness. - -We often receive from Scotland magnificent boxes of honey; the fine -quality is no doubt to be attributed to good pasturage, and to the -fact of keeping the stocks strong (see page 19), by adopting the means -before hinted at; and thus having hives well stored and well populated -early in the season, so that they may betimes take full advantage of -supplies of nectar in the flowers. Early honey is generally the best in -colour. - -The old proverb runs:--"It is the early bird that finds the worm." -The hive that is strong is certain to produce the most honey. To make -this plain, we will suppose that a bee-keeper has a weakly hive; it -will take some weeks, if not months, to grow populous; and as soon as -the strength of the hive has recovered, the honey season will have -advanced, if not ended, whilst the strong stocks have been able to take -full advantage of the supplies, having an abundance of labourers to -collect the honey and store it in supers for their master. To induce -the bees to build quickly, cover up the super with as much warm woollen -covering as you can, as recommended for glasses, page 65. - -In fine seasons, and under good management, extra supers and body boxes -(the latter to be used as "nadirs") maybe required to place above and -below the supers and nadirs partly filled, in order to reap the full -benefit of the honey season; for with strong colonies one box after -another may be inserted, till the whole towers from six to ten boxes -high. This plan is, indeed, collecting honey while the sun shines, -but requires a greater amount of apiarian skill and good pasturage -to carry on in its entirety than is generally possessed. In other -words, we in the south may find it difficult to rival our accomplished -brother-apiarians north of the Tweed, for they do wonders with the -Stewarton hive. - - -HUBER'S HIVE. - -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 have 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 there was 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 movable 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 ordinary -"History of England" backgammon chess-boards were set up on end -together. The floor-board 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 floor-board 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 -to use some kind of bar and frame hive in preference to Huber's. 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, 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 -the 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 his master. Huber practised 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 Observations -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] - -[Illustration] - - - - -IV.--EXTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS AND APPARATUS. - - -BEE-HOUSE TO CONTAIN TWO HIVES. - -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 is especially convenient for lady bee-keepers. - -[Illustration: Front View of Bee House.] - -The folding; doors behind the bee-house have only to be opened, and -the hives are at once exposed to full view; then, by raising the -upper hive or cover, the glasses may be deliberately inspected without -molestation from the bees, and 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. Under the roof -on each side are openings to act as ventilators, to allow the heated -air to escape. With the sun shining on the house and no escape of this -kind, the heat would be retained inside, and the temperature become -that of an oven. - -[Illustration] - -Here our engraving shows the back view of the bee-house, the interior -being furnished with two of our improved 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, 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, as being the slowest-drying -oil we know of. A piece of string will keep the flannel close to the -wood and then neither ant nor other insect will pass up; so that Dy -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. - - -BEE-HOUSE TO CONTAIN TWELVE HIVES - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: Back view of Bee-house, 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 the 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 serious one. Hives are often -made queenless from this cause, and thereby reduced to utter ruin, the -bee-master perhaps attributing his failure to something altogether -different. - - -BEE-HOUSE TO CONTAIN NINE HIVES. - -[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 its 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, who -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 Herr 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 by_ 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 - That undisturbed 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 that prattles - Around me ev'ry day, - And still, 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 ofttimes go together - Our little pets to see. - - Her kisses sweet removing - All sorrow from my breast, - And honied joys surrounding - Proclaim us highly blest. - - _Mount Radford, Exeter._ T. W. Woodbury. - - -ORNAMENTAL ZINC COVER. - -[Illustration] - -The annexed engraving of the Ornamental Zinc Cover renders but little -description necessary. The illustration shows one of our 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. - - -ZINC COVER. - -[Illustration] - -This is a simple and inexpensive covering for any cottage straw hive -when exposed in the garden. It fits close on to the upper hive, coming -sufficiently low to protect it from sun and rain, without obscuring the -whole hive. - -These covers are painted green--a colour that is generally preferred. - - -TAYLOR'S ZINC COVER. - -[Illustration] - -This zinc cover, introduced by H. Taylor, Esq., for his cottage hive, -will also be found useful as a protection from wet, for many other -descriptions of round straw hives. - - -BELL GLASSES. - -[Illustration] - - To contain 10 lbs., 10 inches high, 7 inches wide. - To contain 6 lbs., 7 inches high, 5½ inches wide. - To contain 3 lbs., 5 inches high, 4 inches wide. - -These bell glasses are used in the hives before described. The largest -is for Nutt's hive; the middle-sized is for our improved cottage hive; -the smallest glass is so very small that it is not often used, and we -do not recommend it. Bees will generally fill a middle-sized glass -quite as soon as one so small as this. - - -TAYLOR'S BELL GLASSES. - -[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 a half-inch opening to admit -a ventilating tube. The larger is six inches deep, twelve inches wide; -smaller, five inches deep, nine and a half inches wide. - -[Illustration] - -The late Mr. J. H. Payne, of Bury, author of the "Bee-keeper's Guide" -introduced another glass. It has a three-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 Payne's glass over the hole -of the stock-hive, with the filled glass on it, over the three-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 Payne's glass, so as to rest upon it. - - -FLAT-TOPPED GLASS. - -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. Dimensions, six and three-quarter -inches wide, five inches high. - -[Illustration] - - -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 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 the -above-shaped glass, but is equally useful for all kinds of glasses. It -is introduced in connection with this glass because, from its 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_. - -[Illustration: Exterior of an Apiary. - -As originally erected in the Zoological Gardens, Regent's Park.] - -[Illustration: Interior of an Apiary. - -May be taken as suggestive for the construction or appropriation of -rooms for the larger Apiaries in summer-houses or other out-buildings.] - - -THE NEW BOTTLE-FEEDER. - -[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, as bees can take the food from it without leaving -the hive. Any kind of hive that has an opening at the top may thus be -fed. 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 of all, the hives in the garden. - -The morals of our favourites are here a good deal at fault, for the -stronger 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 weaker ones. 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 particularly -needed. The right time for feeding is in the autumn or spring. As -stated at page 76, it is requisite to ascertain the condition of the -hive at Michaelmas, and, if wanting, the deficiency can then be made -up.[13] It is not wise to defer feeding until later in the season, -because it is important that, when the food is placed b 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 remained 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. - -[Footnote 13: A much greater quantity of food will have to be -administered than the actual weight required to be furnished, because -there is a very considerable decrease after it is taken by the bees.] - -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; apply the net, affixed by 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 tongues 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. - -[Illustration] - -Round bee-feeders are made of zinc and earthenware, eight inches -across, three 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 -when 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. - - - -ZINC FOUNTAIN BEE-FEEDER. - -[Illustration] - -We have invented the fountain bee-feeder, in order that a larger supply -of liquid food might be given to a hive than is practicable with the -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 siphon 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. - - -HONEY CUTTERS. - -[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. - - - -BOX FUMIGATOR. - -[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; place 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, 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 licking off the sweets from the -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. She should be kept alive and fed as long as she will live, in -case any harm should befall the sovereign of the other community. - - -TUBE FUMIGATOR. - -[Illustration] - -The tube fumigator[14] 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 it 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. - -[Footnote 14: This fumigator will be found to possess many advantages -over the box fumigator before mentioned.] - - -THE BEE DRESS OR PROTECTOR. - -[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, entertain a great dislike to fussiness in their -masters, and become irritable at once if the apiarian allows them to -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 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 a 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 greater ease in manipulation than any other description. - -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 "breeds" 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 the inhabitants of the hive to a pitch of -exasperation. Their powers of smelling are very acute. The human breath -is abomination to them; therefore, when operating upon bees, be careful -to close the mouth and breathe only through the nostrils. The best time -for most operations is in the middle of a fine day. - - -ENGRAVED PRESSING ROLLER 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 as shown in the diagram. -The wax having been spread on the flat bar, the roller, heated by -being put into hot water, is heavily pressed over it. The roller has -two wooden handles, so that considerable pressure may be given to it. -The roller is a little less than two inches in diameter, seven-eighths -of an inch wide, and the length from handle to handle is six 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 COMBS. - -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 handiwork 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 14 lbs. 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 favourites. 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-bar is 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, joined 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 be cut off; an opening of full eleven inches -long can be made without materially weakening the bar and frame. - -Another, and perhaps the simplest, plan is, to fix a strip of wood with -brads to the underside of the top frame or bar: place the wax sheet -against this, then wedge another strip close to it, and thus hold the -wax sheet firmly in the centre of the frame, taking care also to make -the second strip of wood fast with brads. - -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 -or bars. - -The secretion of wax, and the method of its adaptation by the bees, is -thus admirably described by Evans:-- - - "Thus filtered through your flutterer'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." - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - - - -MANIPULATION AND USES OF BAR AND FRAME HIVES. - - -Having, at page 84, 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 floor-board, 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 sheet, 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 to permanently occupy." - -No one should attempt these operations without being protected by a -bee dress and a pair of india-rubber gloves, which are sting-proof. -Some persons also take the precaution of tying strings round the ancles -of the trousers, 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 trousers 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. In any case where the combs are too small to -fit within the frame, a temporary bar may be fixed, and held firm by -being sprung within the two upright sides of a frame, and thus pushed -up until it presses the comb; then a piece of tape wound round, or a -clip made of tin or zinc shaped to the top bar, prevents its falling -out. All these supports may be removed[15] as soon as the bees have -made the foundation secure; the comb will then be added to. In this -way, every loose piece of comb may be economised.[16] - -[Footnote 15: They should be first dismembered from the comb by running -a penknife between.] - -[Footnote 16: Artificial comb may be advantageously used, especially -if a little time (say a couple of days) be allowed to elapse before it -is put into the hive; because, at first, so eager is a swarm to push -forward the work of comb-building, that the sheets are liable to become -mutilated. For guide-comb, cut the sheets in strips of rather more than -an inch in depth, and fix them as mentioned at page 154.] - -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 of honey 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 at page -152). 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 disconnect the super by drawing a string or -wire _between the adapting-board and the stock-hive_. After waiting a -short time for the commotion to subside, the operator must raise the -super on its board and blow in a little smoke. The bees may be induced -to quit by adopting either of the means described at pages 58 and 73. -When the super has been removed, another may be put on; but if the -honey-gathering be over, the crown-board should be replaced. - - -TAKING OUT FRAMES WITH COMBS. - -It is well for a beginner to practise 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, rush -out and attack the operator. This and all other operations ought -to be performed 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, in order to do better 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 him 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 tube 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 offered by having at hand a -little, sweetened water, which may be sprinkled, or rather let drop, -from a feather or a 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, which must be carefully avoided. -Of course, much depends upon the nature of the operation 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) slightly 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, it should be borne 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 combs should then 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, and the bees that are bred -in them correspondingly reduced in size. After the lapse of at least, -say, five years, it may be necessary to begin removing 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 he feels in watching and expecting a -swarm to come forth, fearful lest his favourites 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 movable -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. - -When such, is, the state of the hive, the facility of affording an -artificial swarm with a movable 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, attired in his -bee-dress, and having the other appliances ready, may now open the -hive[17] as before described, and proceed to take out the frames, -carefully examining both sides of each comb to find the queen;[18] -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 maybe -upon it, in the centre of the empty hive; and, finally, 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 swarming. - -[Footnote 17: Bees are apt to take the interference more kindly if the -stock be moved a little distance from its accustomed stand; in such -case, place an empty hive in its place, to amuse returning bees. These -can be shaken out when the hive it is desired they should inhabit is -restored. If the hive be kept in a closed bee-house, the entrance -should be shut down until the hive is replaced, when the clustered bees -may be at once admitted.] - -[Footnote 18: Italian queens are more easily detected, being of a -brighter colour and, generally, larger than English queens.] - -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.[19] - -[Footnote 19: See Section I, page 9.] - -The foregoing account illustrates the successful formation of an -artificial swarm; but, with a cottage-hive, gaining possession of the -queen is quite a matter of chance. With a movable 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 obtained, 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 in the least degree -to oppose, nature. We know that when a natural swarm issues forth, -it has its impregnated queen, and, when located in a new abode, it -commences building worker-combs, leaving 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 that is either queenless or contains an 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 above, as -before stated, with worker-cells. - -By adopting the plan above described, the movable bar and frame-hive -will prove far superior to any of the dividing hives, which provide for -equal division of the combs.[20] - -[Footnote 20: At page 143 of Mr. Langstroth's "Honey Bee," other -methods of artificial swarming are described, the perusal of which will -well repay the scientific bee-keeper.] - -Perhaps the greatest advantage the movable 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 maybe 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. - -[Illustration] - -An ingenious little contrivance has been brought into use by -continental bee-keepers, especially by Herr Kleine, a German pastor, to -prevent the destruction alluded to. It consists of a small wire cage -(in fact, a pipe cover), as represented in the above engraving, placed -over a queen-cell to protect it from the mother-bee's animosity, -and it also serves to prevent the young queen, when hatched, from -escaping; for she will have the same jealous feeling toward her -sister-princesses, should there be more in the hive. The bee-master may -thus carefully remove and appropriate her. - -Particular attention will have to be exercised to affix the cage into -the comb by pressure, as far as the middle wall, but at no point must -it touch the royal cell itself. As the cage will probably project so as -to touch the adjoining comb, a little incision and removal of a portion -may be necessary, to allow space for it. It can, however, be squeezed -into any shape to suit the position required. - -This covering need not be put over the cell until the egg is a little -more than a week old. The animosity of the reigning queen does not -generally manifest itself until the royal brood approaches maturity. - -It is said that these cells are unmolested on the tenth day, but that -on the eleventh day they may be found tenantless. Notwithstanding -the apiarian's care and skill, many disappointments are frequently -experienced in endeavouring to establishing fertile young queens at the -head of colonies. - -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 place 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. It -is sometimes best to introduce royal brood into queenless hives in -preference to matured _unimpregnated_ queens, because, as mentioned at -page 8, bees are reluctant to receive virgin queens, whilst they will -tolerate one hatched in the hive, who will speedily depart to seek a -drone. Bee-masters mostly use small hives for queen-rearing, consisting -of, say, four combs. By extracting from a populous hive four such -frames of combs (with the bees on them), and having eggs in the first -stage (see page 9), or better still a royal embryo, the bees will rear -a queen or queens therefrom. Care will have to be exercised to ensure -that there is a sufficient number of bees to mature the brood brought -from the hive.[21] - -[Footnote 21: These weak little colonies should have small entrances, -so as to be better able to defend themselves from the attacks of -robber-bees, and they will require to be assisted and strengthened by -feeding.] - -A colony of this character is technically called a "nucleus." - -Such operations as queen-rearing should only be attempted in warm -summer weather, and when drones are abundant. - -A very great advantage that the Woodbury bar and frame hive affords, -is the safety and convenience with which a stock of bees can in -it be transported to any part of the kingdom: by a few additional -arrangements, stocks have even 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 floor-board and a clean hive to breed in, free from -insects that may have harboured in crevices about their former abode. -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, -the bees seem to progress faster. Perhaps a little stirring up may be -useful in arousing them from their winter doze. The time we recommend -for doing this is in 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 floor-board; -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 tube 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 puffs of smoke, blown in -amongst the bees, will cause them to retreat up amongst the combs. The -bee-master must now turn the hive[22] 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. A stock is in the best condition for driving twenty-one -days, or thereabouts, after a first swarm has issued; the brood will -then have hatched out, the bees will quit more readily, and there will -be no loss of larvæ in the cells. - -[Footnote 22: 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 fill 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 a great 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 resorting to the fumes of -sulphur for the purpose; for the bees from whom the 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. For 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 145), the other by driving (see page 179). -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, -in the manner Mr. Woodbury recommends for a swarm (see page 159). 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, on the plan -explained in the articles on "Fumigation" and "Driving." - -[Illustration] - -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, 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 annexed engraving represents a tripod stand, with a -weighing-machine of the above-named construction, to which a hive with -a super is attached. Such an arrangement will be found convenient for -those bee-keepers who may not possess suitable sheds in their gardens, -where a hive could be thus suspended from a beam. - -This contrivance is both portable and simple, and can be used from -time to time; or, if the apiarian desires to have the hive constantly -suspended, a water-proof covering might easily be made to drop -over, and adapted so as to admit of being raised occasionally for -ascertaining the weight shown on the dial. - -To prevent the hive being swayed to and fro by the wind, three cords -(gear ropes) might be attached therefrom to the three legs of the -stand. The height of such a stand need not exceed four feet. - -Much interest might be derived by watching the daily or hourly -increasing store brought into a hive during the gathering season. - -Mr. George Fox, of Kingsbridge, and Mr. S. Bevan Fox, of Exeter, have -for some years each kept one stock attached to a "Salter's Circular -Spring Balance," suspended from a beam under a shed, and, from -experience, find that from a hive so balanced a criterion may be formed -of what other hives in the apiary are doing through the day. - -Many ingenious contrivances will, no doubt, suggest themselves to the -apiarian for suspending hives in this manner. For instance, instead -of the cord being tied round the hive, three or four strong irons, -with a screw at one end and a ring at the other (known by iron -mongers as "eyes"), could be screwed into the floor-boards, to which -the attachments might be made fast. It will scarcely be necessary -to hint that great care is necessary that full provision should be -made securely to support the increasing weight; a fall would be most -ruinous, and terribly enrage the bees. - -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 lbs., 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. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - - - -VI. 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; -perchance 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, do not attempt to beat them off; the safest and best -retreat is a green bush. Thrust your head into this, or if no such -refuge be near, in an emergency, throw yourself on the ground, and, -with face downwards, 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. (See page 46.) 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. The dart, -as before said, is barbed on each side, so that the bee, when _very_ -angry, is scarcely ever able to withdraw it, but - - "Deems life itself to vengeance well resigned; - Dies on the wound, and leaves the sting behind." - -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 homoeopathically 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 larvae -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 (see page 41). 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," who 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 nurslings of the hive. A German pastor, Herr 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, some 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 such 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, it would prove more -fruitful than its fellows. On this account, the orchard is a good -place for an apiary, for it seems that, 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, as described at -page 45; 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 extraction of 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 -hives 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 oh 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 are the flowers that the bees -prefer; and there are certain well-established conclusions as to the -kind of district and seasons 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 pollen and 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 tongue -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, 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[23]--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. Lime-trees, when in blossom, and -mignonette are also' most valuable resources. 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. - -[Footnote 23: It is a good practice to induce the owners of adjacent -fields to sow clover-seed.] - -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 -"honeydew," 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 them. (See coloured engraving, Plate I., -figs, 1, 2, 3.) 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. - -Tennyson most probably refers to these Ligurian bees in the following -stanza of his beautiful poem "Eleanore":-- - - "Or the _yellow banded bees_, - Through half-open lattices, - Coming in the scented breeze, - Fed thee, a child, lying alone, - With whitest honey in fairy gardens culled: - A glorious child, dreaming alone - In silk soft folds, upon yielding down, - With the hum of swarming bees - Into dreamful slumbers lulled." - -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 wasp 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, for such summary capital punishment was wholly unmerited, -because, when a bee is peaceably received (see page 127), it becomes -naturalized, and works side by side with the others in its fresh abode. -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 entrance of other hives. - -In the season of 1864, we 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 probosces of the common -bees, 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.[24] - -[Footnote 24: 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 M. Hermann's offer, we received a consignment -of Italian Alp bees,--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, M. 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 M. 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." - -If we are correctly informed, poor Hermann himself has not yet greatly -profited by the discovery of the mine. He appears to have quitted -Switzerland, and travelled to America, as, by the latest accounts, we -learn that he is now in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia, prosecuting -his favourite calling with his accustomed ardour, among the apiaries -of amateur bee-keepers. We are glad that M. Hermann is thus engaged, -for report had reached us that he was dead--a report to which we gave -currency in our first edition. - -In the pamphlet referred to, M. 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-bees, or tame -house-bees, in contradistinction 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 emigration of M. Hermann from his native land, -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,[25] 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. - -[Footnote 25: The plan of uniting an Italian queen to an English stock -is, first, to discover the queen by lifting out the frames, then take -her away. This, we find, is best done by putting a wine-glass over her -whilst on the comb, and, with a card a little larger than the diameter -of the glass, very carefully and gently passed underneath, so as not -to injure her majesty, she is thus, with a few of her subjects, made a -prisoner, and easily removed. Be careful to cut away with a penknife -all queen-cells. Let the hive remain queenless for twenty-four hours, -and then place the Italian queen in a small wire cage, the openings of -which must be large enough to enable her to receive the attentions of, -and to communicate with, her new subjects, and, at the same time, to -defend her from the animosity with which bees regard a stranger-queen, -that has a scent different from that of her new home. Three or four -days' intercourse through the wire meshes generally has a reconciling -effect, and the Italian queen may be let go free to become the monarch -of the hive. Sometimes, even with all this precaution, the foreigner -is slain, so that it is well to preserve the black queen alive (with -a few of her own subjects), by feeding and keeping her warm until the -result is known. The wire cage containing the new queen is made of a -flat shape, so as to be pressed down between the combs, against some -honey-cells, in order that, should the inhabitants of the hive be -inattentive, her majesty need not starve, but have food within reach. -As it is generally considered that the queen is fed by working bees, it -is always necessary to put about half a dozen of _her own subjects_ in -the cage with her, to pay her the requisite attention.] - -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. - -We now add to the testimonies already cited that of Mr. Woodbury, as -to the superior qualities of Ligurian bees. The following is extracted -from the 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 38 lbs. of the finest honeycomb,[26] 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 26: This super was exhibited at our stand in the -International Exhibition of 1862.] - -In a private letter received from Mr. Langstroth, he informs us that he -has, in the season of 1865, bred over 300 Ligurian queens; these he has -disseminated to various bee-masters on the American continent, and the -united opinion of apiarians in that country is increasingly in favour -of the decided advantage of the cultivation of the Italian bee. - -After such emphatic 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. The honey-bee of the Holy Land is the Ligurian. - -The Rev. H. B. Tristram, M.A., in his valuable book, "The Land of -Israel," has the following interesting account of the bees in that -country:--In Palestine bee-keeping is not an unimportant item of -industry, and every house possesses a pile of bee-hives in its yard. -Though similar in its habits, the hive-bee of Palestine is a different -species to our own. "We never," he says, "found _Apis mellifica_, L., -our domestic species, in the country, though it very possibly occurs -in the north; but the common Holy Land insect, _Apis ligustica_, is -amazingly abundant; both in hives, in rocks, and in old hollow, trees. -It is smaller [?] than our bees, with brighter yellow, bands: on the -thorax and abdomen, which, is rather wasp-like in shape, and with very -long antennæ. In its habits, and especially in the immense population -of neuters in each community, and in the drones cast forth in autumn, -it resembles the other species. Its sting, also, is quite as sharp. -The hives are very simple, consisting of large tubes of sun-dried mud, -like gas-pipes, about four feet long, and closed with mud at each -end, leaving only an aperture in the centre, large enough for two or -three bees to, pass at a time. The insects appear to frequent both -doors equally. The tubes are laid in rows horizontally, and piled in a -pyramid. I counted one of these colonies, consisting of seventy-eight -tubes, each a distinct hive. Coolness being the great object, the -whole is thickly plastered over with mud, and covered with boughs, -while a branch is stuck in the ground at each end, to assist the bees -in alighting. At first we took these singular structures for ovens or -hen-houses. _The barbarous practice of destroying the swarms for their -honey is unknown._ When the hives are fully, the clay is removed from -the ends of the pipes, and the honey extracted with an iron hook; those -pieces of comb which contain young bees being carefully replaced, and -the hives then closed up again. Everywhere during our journey we found -honey was always to be purchased; and it is used by the natives for -many culinary purposes, and especially for the preparation of sweet -cakes. It has the delicate aromatic flavour of the thyme-scented honey -of Hybla or Hymettus. - -"But, however extensive are the bee-colonies of the villages, the -number of wild bees of the same species is far greater. The innumerable -fissures, and clefts of the limestone rocks, which everywhere flank -the valleys, afford in their recesses secure shelter for any number -of swarms; and many of the Bedouin, particularly in the wilderness -of Judæea, obtain: the subsistence by bee-hunting, bringing into -Jerusalem jars of that wild, honey on which John the Baptist fed in -the wilderness, and which Jonathan had long before unwittingly tasted, -when the comb had dropped on the ground from the hollow tree in which -it was suspended. The visitor to the Wady Kurn, when he sees the busy -multitudes of bees about its cliffs, cannot but recall to mind the -promise, 'With honey out of the stony rock would I have satisfied -thee.' There is no epithet of the Land of Promise more true to the -letter, even to the present day, than this, that it was 'a land flowing -with milk and honey." - -Does not evidence such as this point to the conclusion that the bees -which Sampson found in the carcase of the lion were _Ligurian_; and may -we not further speculate that the ribs of the carcase constituted the -first _bar-hive?_ Surely, "there is no new thing under the sun." - -[Illustration] - - -LIVING BEES AT THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF 1862, SENDING BEES TO -AUSTRALIA, &c. - -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 an 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. Mr. -Wilson informs us that one of these hives contained 136 lbs. of honey, -on the 25th of December, 1864 (Midsummer in Australia). - -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, even with adequate -ventilation, 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 these 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. Several -of his operations with them were regarded as feats of legerdemain by -the uninitiated, as when he appeared before 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, 2_s._; the other seats, 1_s._'" - -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 each of 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 comer 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 inquiry 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 practised in many districts, has such a notable effect on the honey -harvest. - -A novel sight for Londoners to witness occurred in June, 1865. A -swarm, having been ordered to be sent into the country the following -morning, was temporarily placed on the leads at the back of our house, -149, Regent Street. The sun shining hot on the hive, or some other -cause, induced the inmates to decamp. A passer-by called in to inform -us that some bees had arrested the progress of a cab. We at once -conjectured that they were those of our missing swarm, the absence -of which had previously puzzled us not a little; so we sent our man -with a straw-hive to bring the truants back, which he succeeded in -doing, followed to the door by a crowd, who were amazed at the sight -of the "'oney-bees," as the Cockney lads called them. Cabby had to be -compensated for the loss of his fare, for the affrighted passengers -had left him in a hurry, so that, altogether, no little commotion -was caused--a crowd so soon collects in London streets. Among the -lookers-on appears to have been a reporter from the _Times_ newspaper, -for, two days afterwards, the following paragraph appeared in the -leading journal:-- - - "A Swarm of Bees in Burlington Street.--On Wednesday afternoon, - about five o'clock, not a little excitement and astonishment was - caused in New Burlington Street, Regent Street, by the circumstance - of a swarm of bees alighting on a cab which had just drawn up at - the Burlington Restaurant. A man having procured a hive, set to - work, and, with assistance, succeeded in securing the whole of - the unexpected visitors, and took them away. A swarm of bees is - rarely, if ever, seen in the streets of London, but it is not an - uncommon occurrence for a swarm to stray considerable distances." - -The reporter was, of course, unaware that, instead of the bees having -"strayed" so far as he represented, they were brought into London by -rail, and had made but a short flight from their temporary home. - -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 collection of these hives are now exhibited by the -Acclimatisation Society of Great Britain, with living bees in them, -at the Fish Department of the Royal Horticultural Gardens, South -Kensington. - -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 licence -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 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, in the autumn of 1864, a super of fine -honey from the apiary of Mr. Shirley Hibberd, the proprietor and editor -of the _Gardeners' Weekly Magazine_. It consisted of 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. Mr. S. B. Fox, 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, 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 years 1864 and 1865; 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 cottager-hive, as described at page 74, -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 wasps' 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 much superior in 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 troubles from that -cause. A Ligurian stock 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 that 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 dust-pan 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 a so unexpected and cheaply-acquired -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 -inquiry, 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 inquiring 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 -anyone 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. - -Other formidable enemies of bees are moths. These insects are creatures -of the night, as the wasps are 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 method 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 floor-boards, -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. In the -season of 1865, wasps were as few as they were numerous the preceding -year; their paucity was attributable either to frosts in May or to -heavy rains in June, which destroyed them in their nests. In general, -wasps are great depredators of wall-fruit, but, in the autumn before -mentioned, the bees occupied the wasps' foraging-ground. Perhaps -never in the memory of bee-keepers did bees feast upon fruit in the -same manner. Various reasons have been assigned for this unusual -occurrence; some thought that as there were so few wasps the bees were -unmolested, and enjoyed the saccharine matter in the fruit without let -or hindrance--for bees are about as partial to the company of wasps -as mice are to that of rats. Other bee-keepers remarked the sudden -and early termination of the honey-gathering, and conjectured that -the bees, being anxious to make up their winter store, endeavoured to -bring home nectar from the fruit because the weather was unusually -fine. There was one feature which is worth remarking: as far as our -observation extended, the bees did not, like the wasps, break the skin -of sound fruit, but were satisfied with lapping the juice of the ripe -fruit that had the skin already broken. - -An unusual amount of robbing and fighting occurred in the autumn of -1865; the weather remaining fine and warm, and the honey having all but -ceased in the flowers, the bees began to assail each other's hives, -as usual, the strong attacking the weak. In most years, this spirit -of depredation exists, and the bee-keeper should be on his guard not -to tempt the avarice of bees' by exposing honey, either in the comb -or liquid, and also to be very tardy of opening bar and frame hives -at this time of year. If needful to do so (soon after sunrise is the -safest, because there will be few bees about), take the hive to a quiet -corner of the garden, many yards away from the other hives, and do what -is requisite speedily, so as not to expose the honey to the scent of -a host of robbers, who will most unceremoniously pillage, and cause a -terrible commotion. This caution will also be necessary to be kept in -view when removing supers. In fact, many liberties that may be taken -with bees when they are busy in the gathering season will most wofully -disturb an apiary in August or September; and this plundering spirit -may exist even in October.[27] - -[Footnote 27: In the spring of the year, great care is also needful as -regards feeding and in opening hives.] - - -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 offers 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 to effectually prevent -the 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. - - -DISEASES OF BEES. - -Dysentery is a disease produced either by long confinement, by -dampness, or by feeding in the winter. The first thing bees do when -disturbed is to fill themselves with food, so that in winter weather, -when they cannot get out to void their fæces, hives should not be -meddled with, otherwise the complaint may be brought on. It is also -engendered in many instances by the state of the weather in winter -months, and is indicated by the yellow colour of the excrement, and -by its being voided upon the floors and at the entrance of the hives, -which bees in a healthy state generally keep clean. All, that can -be done for them when affected is to well clean or to change the -floor-board, and so produce cleanliness. Having made some remarks on -this disease at page 214, in connection with bees sent to Australia, we -will pass on to the more formidable, but happily less common, malady of -"foul brood." - -This disease does not attack the bees themselves, but affects the -larvæ, by causing them to putrefy in the cells, thus destroying all -hope of the rising generation. Bees are exceedingly fond of their -young, and are greatly dispirited when their hives are in this plight. -In common with most pestilential disorders, no satisfactory cause is -assigned for its first appearance. Some apiarians contend, that "foul -brood" is another name for chilled, brood; others, that the queen, by a -freak of nature, deposits some of her eggs the wrong way upwards, and -that these putrefy in the cells and contaminate the others. Whatever -may be the origin, one thing is very certain, "it is catching;" there -is, however, in the circumstance of the adult bees and of those about -emerging from the cells not being injuriously affected thereby, a great -help to its eradication, as will presently be shown. - -There are two kinds of foul brood--one is moist and fœtid, the other is -dry and not contagious, the brood merely drying up in the cells, and, -from its partial character, is probably within the power of the bees -themselves to overcome. In the former, instead of drying up, the brood -remains dark and slimy in the cells, and emits a most unpleasant odour, -perceptible at some distance from the hive. - -In the year 1848, Pastor Dzierzon lost a large number of stocks from -this disease; he, however, was enabled to banish it from his apiary, -and communicated to a German bee-journal very wholesome advice, which -Mr. Langstroth quotes, and from which we make an extract:--"When the -malady makes its appearance in only two or three of the colonies, and -is discovered early (which may readily be done in hives having movable -combs), it can be arrested and cured without damage or diminution of -profit. _To prevent the disease from spreading in a colony, there is -no more reliable and efficient process_ THAN TO STOP THE PRODUCTION -OF BROOD; for where no brood exists, none can perish or putrefy. The -disease is thus deprived both of its aliment and its subjects. The -healthy brood will mature and emerge in due time, and the putrid matter -remaining in a few cells will dry up and be removed by the workers. All -this will certainly result _from a well-timed removal of the queen_ -from such colonies. If such removal becomes necessary in the spring or -early part of the summer, a supernumerary queen is thereby obtained, -by means of which an artificial colony may be started, which will -certainly be healthy if the bees and brood used be taken from healthy -colonies. Should the removal be made in the latter part of summer, the -useless production of brood will at once be stopped and an unnecessary -consumption of honey prevented. Thus, in either case, we are gainers by -the operation." - -In cases where the disease assumes a more malignant character--in -other words, "has got ahead," through "not being nipped in the -bud,"--it will be well to take notice of another quotation from Mr. -Langstroth's book:--"In the spring or summer, when the weather is fine -and pasturage abounds, the following cure is recommended by a German -apiarian:--'Drive out the bees into any clean, hive, and shut them up -in a dark place without food for twenty-four hours; prepare for them -a clean hive, properly fitted up with comb from healthy colonies; -transfer the bees into it, and confine them two days longer, feeding -them with pure honey.'" - -Mr. Woodbury's apiary was severely attacked by this disease in the -spring and summer of 1863. The writer happened to be on a visit to -him at this juncture, and witnessed him withdrawing infected combs -from hives that were literally masses of corruption, the brood-cells -of which, on being opened with a pointed instrument, revealed the -dark brown slimy matter before alluded to, and from which arose a -most unpleasant smell. Mr. Woodbury communicated to the _Journal of -Horticulture_, of July 21, 1863, an exact and graphic account of his -misfortunes, headed "A Dwindling Apiary." Finding that the removal of -the putrid matter must be simultaneously effected and the bees driven -out and placed in hives that had undergone a complete purification, -Mr. Woodbury set about endeavouring to accomplish his object, and -was so far successful, that he was able to furnish an article to the -before-named journal of August 4th, under the more cheerful title -of "Convalescent," in which he says: "First, let me indorse the -opinions both of Dzierzon and Rothe, that, except under very especial -circumstances, it is unadvisable to attempt the cure of a foul-breeding -stock: better, far better, to consign its inhabitants to the brimstone -pit; the hive itself, if a straw one, to the flames; the comb to the -melting pot; and appropriate the honey to any purpose, except that of -feeding bees." - -Mr. Woodbury further says: "Before starting, it was requisite to insure -the transfer of the bees to unpolluted hives; and here I found that -Dzierzon declares that every hive that has contained a foul-breeding -colony should be exposed to the sun and air for two years before -being re-stocked. In my own case, this was simply impossible, and I -therefore adopted the practice of another German writer on the subject, -viz., to scrape out the hive very carefully, wash it all over with a -saturated solution of chloride of lime, keeping it closely shut up -for twenty-four hours, and then, after thoroughly washing it with -clean water, exposing it to the sun and air until the smell of the -disinfectant had passed off. This method has the advantage of enabling -one to use a wooden hive again after a lapse of a couple of days, and -is, I believe, thoroughly effectual." - -Mr. Woodbury then captured the queen, secured her in a "cage," and -placed her in a clean empty hive; all her bees were brushed from -their combs into it as rapidly as possible, in order to prevent their -carrying much of the infected honey with them, whilst the combs -themselves were set draining out of the bees' reach, and consigned as -quickly as possible to the melting pot. After the lapse of three or -four days, the queen (still imprisoned) and bees were again transferred -to another clean hive, furnished with a few pure combs, and in this -they were suffered to remain, their queen being released in a day or -two, as soon as they appeared contentedly settled. Mr. Woodbury gives -another important hint that operations of this kind with tainted combs -should be performed out of reach of robber-bees from adjacent hives, -lest they should carry the infection to their respective houses. By -the before-mentioned process, Mr. Woodbury succeeded in completely -extirpating foul brood from his apiary in 1863, and has had no return -of it since. English apiarian writers have made so little allusion to -this disorder, that some of our older bee-keepers contend that modern -hives and foreign bees have something to do with bringing it about. To -show that the disease made its appearance in former days, there is a -chapter on this subject in Bonner's "Bee-Keeper's Companion," published -at Berwick, in 1798, entitled, "An uncommon Disaster which sometimes, -though rarely, happens to Bees," which Mr. Woodbury quotes at length -in the _Journal of Horticulture_. Bonner, after recounting therein -his observations of the dwindling state of his apiary for which he -could not account, says: "He saw plainly that the young were all going -backward in the cells, and that he looked down between the combs, but -was unable to proceed for the stench that the rotten maggots produced." -Mr. Langstroth writes that "Aristotle speaks of a disease which was -accompanied with a disgusting smell, so that there is reason to believe -that foul brood was known two thousand years ago." - -When we take into consideration how sorely our farmers are perplexed -by the cattle plague, known as the rinderpest, concerning which -so many conflicting opinions exist (and the same may be said of -the recommendations for its cure), can we wonder that our little -favourites should occasionally be liable to disorders of this sort, -which puzzle even experienced bee-keepers? In the hope of allaying -unnecessary alarm, we would just add that "foul brood" is not a very -general complaint, and, so far as our observation extends, has been -most fatal in large experimental apiaries, where extensive propagation -has necessarily had to be pushed forward. With the experience and -advice already gained, this disorder may now be said to be deprived of -its terrors. - - -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 gratiâ_:-- - - "'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 though 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_.[28] 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 28: 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 _curé_ into an English clergyman, -the effect was cleverly 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.] - -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 quantify for disposal in the market; of the coarser -portions he made a tolerable substitute for wine, and the sale of the -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-fold 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 sweetness on the desert air." - -An apiary in the garden of every village clergyman would afford the -means of economising this unclaimed bounty of Providence. - -An amusing, instance of the fondness of bears for honey is related by a -Muscovite ambassador to Rome, in the "Feminine Monarchie; written out -of Experience by Charles Butler. Printed in the Year 1609,"--a quaint, -but sensible work:-- - - "A neighbour of mine (saith he), in searching in the woods for - honey, slipped down into a great hollow tree, and there sunk into - a lake of honey up to the breast; where--when he had stuck fast - two days, calling and crying out in vain for help, because nobody - in the meanwhile, came nigh that solitary place--at length, when - he was out of all hope of life, he was strangely delivered by - the means of a great bear, which, coming thither about the same - business that he did, and smelling the honey, stirred with his - striving, clambered up to the top of the tree, and then began to - lower himself down backwards into it. The man bethinking himself, - and knowing that the worst was but death--which in that place he - was sure of--beclipt the bear fast with both his hands about the - loins, and withal made an outcry as loud as he could. The bear - being thus suddenly affrighted, what with the handling and what - with the noise, made-up again with all speed possible. The man - held, and the bear pulled, until, with main force, he had drawn him - out of the mire; and then being let go, away he trots, more afeared - than hurt, leaving the smeared swain in joyful fear." - -Bees may be very inexpensively and profitably kept in the cottager's -hive (see page 80), 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 69. If inclined to go to a little further expense, the hives -described at pages 51, 62, 77, and 84, all afford constant opportunity -for inspection of the bees, and allow of their working freely in the -most natural manner. The Stewarton hive (page 109) is also a favourite -with those who give the preference to honey, stored in boxes, although -the opportunities for observation are not so great as with some others. - -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 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 is remembered that -there are first steps in bee-keeping, as well as in chemistry, croquet, -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 connexion 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. - -Much superstition has existed, and, in some quarters, still exists, -among the poor respecting bees. If a death occurs in the family of the -bee-owner, these superstitious folk consider it needful to make the -bees aware of the bereavement by "waking" them; that is, by giving a -few raps at the entrance, and audibly announcing the circumstance. -If this be not done, "no luck," say they, will come of the bees the -following season. Last summer, even near the metropolis, we heard a -cottager bemoaning to his neighbour "his bad luck with his bees," when -the other replied, "Ah! no wonder; you never 'waked' your bees when -your wife died; what can you expect if you omit such needful duty?" -In many parts of France, as well as here, it is a custom on such -occasions to put the bees into mourning, by placing black crape or -some such material round the hives. Bees also receive intelligence when -a marriage or a christening takes place: in these cases, the hives are -draped with red cloth. In fact, it is considered an essential element -of "good luck" to inform the bees of any remarkable circumstance that -occurs in the family of the bee-keeper. How would these good people -manage with the newly-imported foreign bees, for they can hardly be -expected to have learned our "lingo"? This difficulty is, however, not -"likely" to be experienced, for it is to be hoped that intelligent -bee-keepers do not believe in such nonsense. Fancy a man in this -nineteenth century haranguing his bees after the above-mentioned -fashion! Mr. Langstroth says that "some superstitious folk in America -assert that the bees sometimes take the loss of their master so much to -heart as to alight upon the coffin whenever it is exposed." A clergyman -told him that he attended a funeral where, as soon as the coffin was -brought from the house, the bees gathered on it so much as to excite -alarm. Some years after this occurrence, being engaged in varnishing -a table, the bees alighted upon it in such numbers as to convince the -clergyman that love of the varnish on the outside, rather than any -respect for the deceased within, was the occasion of their conduct at -the funeral. Mr. Langstroth adds: "How many superstitions, believed -even by intelligent persons, might be as easily explained, if it were -possible to ascertain as fully all the facts connected with them?" -Another infatuation is, that you should on no account part with your -bees for silver money--only for _gold_. This is so far sensible, that -it ensures a respectable price. Certain credulous bee-keepers cannot, -on any account; be induced to part with their bees for money; they -will _barter_, but not _sell_,--to sell bees is, in their view, to lay -themselves open to evil fortune. If these apprehensions are correct, -our punishment will be a severe one, for we have been great offenders -in that way, and seem likely to go on sinning. - -It is scarcely necessary to add that, with the increase of education, -such superstitions and fancies are becoming less and less, and will -soon, it is hoped, be ranked amongst the follies of bygone days. - -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 that 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 draught through the hives to be pernicious; -if closed up by propolis, they 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 -sightly 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. - -Fine colonies are sometimes destroyed by the entrance-way becoming -stopped by some impediment or other, and care is requisite to keep a -watch, that so fatal a catastrophe does not happen, because the bees -(_unless where very ample ventilation is given_), excited by their -imprisonment, make matters worse, by raising the temperature of their -hive to such a pitch, that the combs melt from their foundations, and -the bees themselves are suffocated, presenting, alas! a most woful -spectacle to witness. - -We give this hint because, having ourselves suffered from a similar -cause when workmen have been employed in the vicinity of hives, these -gentlemen, thoughtless of the welfare of the bees, but most careful -of their own convenience, placed a piece of wood across, or otherwise -stopped, the entrances, to prevent the bees coming out. In _summer -weather_ a very short time of confinement in a close hive suffices to -complete the work of desolation; but should the bee-keeper's attention -be drawn to such a state of things, he must immediately raise the hive -from its floor-board, and let the poor bees have all the air possible, -leaving them thus exposed for the purpose of affording them a chance -of revival. When bees are likely to incommode those whose duties -temporarily oblige them to be near the entrances, it is better to move -the hives a few paces (for less loss will be experienced), or else let -the workmen cover their faces with net. The foregoing remarks more -particularly apply to the summer season. In winter or in the spring, -when the weather is cool and the bees are not so numerous, hives may be -shut up even for a day or so without much _ventilation_, and but little -harm will arise therefrom. - -When we send away stocks or swarms, we are always careful to pack them -so as to allow of a full current of air, in order that they may travel -even in the hottest weather. - -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 80). - -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 extend his observations. By way -of illustrating the two characters combined, we will quote another -simple idyll, by the German bee-keeper, Herr Braun, whose winter -musings we have already presented to the reader:-- - - - ON THE FIRST FLIGHT OF BEES IN SPRING. - - [_From the German of_ Adalbert Braun.] - - 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 darling darlings, - We salute you all to-day; - For your life is our enjoyment-- - Winter's sleep has pass'd away. - - Grant prosperity, O 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.[29] - - 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 29: This point cannot now be considered doubtful, but it must -be remembered that Herr Braun's verses were written twenty 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_. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - - - -APPENDIX. - - -TESTIMONIALS OF THE PRESS. - - * * * * * - - -GREAT EXHIBITION, 1851. - -The "Working Apiary" in the Great Exhibition of 1851 will long live in -the 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 15,600 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 a 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 landing-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 three-quarters -of an 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 honeycomb 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 -it 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, 1862. - -_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._ - -G. Neighbour, and Sons, 149, Regent Street, and 117, 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 readily understood by an inspection of -the engraving at page 102. Its distinctive features are the adaptation -of the movable-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 avocations 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 forty pounds of the finest honeycomb. On the -right of the unicomb-hive is another super of the same description, -containing nearly thirty pounds 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 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 102) 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 up 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 movable 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 entomologist 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 list week, was the -stall of Messrs. Neighbour and 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 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 Messrs. George -Neighbour and 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 the 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 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 must recollect that all great discoveries and improvements owe their -existence to men who 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 aught 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 slides, 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 or 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,--as the old races of -cattle are being metamorphosed in the sleek, shapely, beef-bearing, -small-boned animals of the present time. - -_From the "Devon Weekly Times" June 12, 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 movable -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 194.--G. Neighbour and 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[30], 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, -amid 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 sensed 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 "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 30: The reporter was in error as to the sex of the workers.] - - * * * * * - - -BEES AND BEE-HIVES AT THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY'S MEETING AT -PLYMOUTH. - -_From the "Journal of Horticulture" August 22, 1865._ - -Living bees at work are always attractive, not only to bee-keepers, -but to the general public. Messrs. Neighbour and Sons' exhibition -formed no exception to this general rule, for their stand was at all -times densely crowded. The chief object of interest was the Woodbury -Unicomb Observatory Hive, in which was a stock of Ligurian bees, with -a very fine queen surrounded by her yellow Italian subjects. Messrs. -Neighbour also exhibited a square Woodbury glass hive stocked with -English bees, in which the position of the bars and frames, with bees -and combs, could be very distinctly seen. Both these colonies were -brought from Mr. A. Neighbour's apiary, near London. The bees obtained -egress and ingress by means of a covered way nearly three feet long, -which appeared but little to inconvenience them, whilst, being covered -with glass, it added not a little to the interest with which they -were observed. In the wall of the shed were small apertures, with -alighting-boards fixed on the outside, and although the public passed -in crowds before these unprotected entrances, no one was stung, nor -were the bees themselves interfered with or molested--a warning notice -appended to the outside being universally attended to, and a respectful -distance maintained. - -Amongst Messrs. Neighbour's collection were the Woodbury Straw -Bar-and-Frame, Neighbour's Improved Cottage, the Ladies' Observatory, -Cottager's, and many low-priced straw hives on the improved system. -The impressed wax sheets, with specimens of combs partially worked -therefrom, were interesting and curious. The bottle-feeder, -bee-dresses, india-rubber gloves, and other apiarian appliances also -received, and were worthy of, much attention. - -By way of illustrating the fruits of the honey-harvest of the present -year, Messrs. Neighbour had a square super of fine white honeycomb from -the apiary of our esteemed correspondent, Mr. Woodbury, and an octagon -glass super from our valued contributor, Mr. S. Bevan Fox, both of -which admirable specimens were most highly commended. - -[Illustration] - - - - -INDEX. - - - A. - - Acclimatising bees 213, 249 - Adapting-board 96, 162, 183 - Age of bees 10, 11 - Anatomy of bees (Plates I and a), description of 31 - Anecdotes of, 240, 242, 245, 246 - Anger of bees 149, 163, 190 - Antennæ (Plate I) 38 - ---- act as a barometer 39 - Apiary, best time to set up an 21 - ---- exterior and interior of an 138, 139 - Artificial swarming 169, 182 - ---- time for 171 - Artificial comb 157 - Aspect 64, 248 - Australia, sending bees to 213 - - - B. - - Baby-bee, cradle of 16 - ---- emerging from the cell 17 - Bar, improved 90 - Bar and frame-hives 84 - ---- manipulation of 15 - ---- advantages of 168, 174, 178 - ---- changing after winter 178 - ---- recommended 243 - Bee-dress or protector 27, 115, 148, 170 - ---- necessity for 149, 165 - Bee-decoy, to attract swarms 25 - Bees live in society 3 - ---- lesson to man 11 - ---- young 17 - ---- cluster outside hives 23 - ---- peaceful whilst swarming 27 - ---- should not be fed in winter 141 - ---- tempted to rob 140 - ---- reduced size of 168 - ---- at the International Exhibition of 1862 213 - ---- breath, human, obnoxious to 149, 190 - ---- artificial scent ditto 190 - Bee-keeping in London 215 - ---- Zoological and Horticultural Gardens 221 - Bee-keeping, profit arising from 239 - Bee-hives (modern):-- - Huber's book or leaf hive 118 - Neighbour's cottager's:-- - Description of 80 - Neighbour's improved cottage:-- - Description of 68 - Care necessary to keep a good store of food 75 - Neighbour's improved cottage without window:-- - Description of 76 - Neighbour's unicomb observatory:-- - Description and application of 98 - Exhibited in Paris, 1855 101 - Prize medal 101 - Neighbour's single-box:-- - Description of and directions for 63 - Keep glass warm 65 - Nutt's collateral:-- - Description of 51 - Taking surplus honey 58 - Stewarton hive:-- - Description of 109 - Directions for management 112 - Nadir box, value of 117 - Extra boxes required 118 - Taylor's improved cottage:-- - Description of 96 - Taylor's amateur's eight-bar wood:-- - Description of 65 - Stand for ditto 67 - Taylor's eight-bar straw 96 - Woodbury bar and frame:-- - Description of 84 - Straw ditto 85 - Glass ditto 88 - Special advantages of straw 86 - Origin of 86 - Manipulation with 157 - Super 93 - Putting on 162 - Woodbury Unicomb:-- - Construction of 102 - Modes of tenanting 106, 107 - How transferred to box-hive 108 - Bee-houses, advantage of 123 - ---- engravings of houses to contain twelve hives 126, 127 - ---- object of colouring alighting-boards 126 - ---- loss of queens 127 - Bee-house to contain nine hives, engraving 128 - Bell-glasses 133 - Bottle-feeder 140 - ---- directions for using 142 - Breathing of bees 43 - Brood, royal 9, 175, 179 - ---- wire cover for (engraving of) 175 - - - C. - - Cells, contracted size of 168 - Cells, royal, _see_ Brood. - Changing old stocks to new hives not to be attempted - by inexperienced 182 - ---- old hives into humane ones 183 - ---- old stocks to frame-hives 184 - Classes for whom bee-keeping has interest 1 - Combs, value of 152 - ---- must not be jarred 149 - ---- how fixed in frames 160 - ---- ensuring regularity of 67, 90, 152, 161, - (_note_) 184 - ---- artificial, description of 151 - ---- how fixed in frames 160 - Compound bar-frame 91 - Cottagers, way to convince, of the humane system 139 - Cover for square hives 67, 55 - ---- for round hives 81, 131, 132 - Crown-board 34, 87 - - - D. - - Dampness in hives in winter injurious 75, 86, 148 - Depriving system, special advantages of 19, 82 - Diseases of bees 231 - Dividing hives, reason why they do not answer 173 - Driving bees, directions for 179 - Drone, description of 11 - Drones, massacre of 14 - Dysentery 215, 232 - - - E. - - Eggs of bees (Plate 2, fig. 7) 16 - ---- how made into queens 15 - ---- position in the hive 16 - ---- time hatching 17 - Engraved pressing roller 150 - Entrance to hives 52, 74, 86 - ---- stopped, danger therefrom 250 - Epitaph on brimstoned bees 20 - Evans, poet of the bees (note on) 4 - ---- 'poetry of,' 7, 11, 12, 23, 24, 142 - Evening thoughts in January 129 - - - F. - - Feeding 54, 64, 75, 79, 140, 143 - Feet of bees 42 - Food necessary (_note_) 140 - Foul brood 232 - Frames 89 - ---- should hang true 91 - ---- how kept perpendicular 91 - ---- manipulation with 157 - French bishop, anecdote of 240 - Fructifying flowers, bees useful for 194 - Fumigator box 145 - ---- tube 147 - - - G. - - Gardeners ought to be bee-keepers 247 - General remarks 238 - Glasses, bell 133, 154 - ---- must be kept warm 65 - Guide-comb for glasses 135 - ---- for bars 68, 97 - ---- _note_ 161 - - - H. - - Hive should be ready for swarm 27, 71, 250 - Hives, _see_ Bee-hives. - Hearing of bees, sense of 38 - Honey-bag (Plate II, figs. 1 and 2) 44 - ---- way to drain from comb 230 - ---- cutters 145 - ---- dew 199 - Human breath obnoxious 147 - Huber (Francis), life of 121 - - - I. - - Improved cottage-hive 68 - ---- comb-bar 90 - Impressed wax sheets 151 - Impregnation of queen 6, 13 - Increase of bees 18 - India-rubber gloves 27, 149, 159 - Insects, cleansing hives from 125 - Interchange of combs for strengthening weak - hives 92, 168 - Italian Alp Bee (Plate I, figs. 1, 2, 3), not - all of them yellow 33 - ---- description of 200 - ---- German bee-keeper's opinion 203 - ---- great honey-collecting powers 203 - ---- Hermann's book on 205 - ---- introduction into England 203 - ---- importation of queens unsuccessful in - many instances 206 - ---- plan of uniting foreign queens to English - stocks (_note_) 207 - - - J. - - _Journal of Horticulture_, 208, 217 - - - K. - - Keeping bell-glasses warm 65 - ---- boxes 116 - - - L. - - Legs of bees 40 - Ligurian honey-bee, _see_ Italian Bee. - Loyalty of bees 5, 99, 104 - - - M. - - Mortar not necessary for closing crevices 82 - Moths, how to prevent 228 - - - N. - - Neglect of bee-keeping 1 - Neighbour's hives, _see_ Bee-hives. - New bottle-feeder 140 - Number of eggs in the season 5 - Nutt's hive, _see_ Bee-hives - Nutt, Thos. (the late) 60 - - - O. - - Ornamental zinc cover 131 - - - P. - - Pasturage for bees 197 - ---- honey yielding flowers 198 - ---- wild flowers best 199 - Poison of sting 48 - Pollen, food for infant-bees 193 - ---- how collected 193, 194 - ---- brush (Plate I, fig. 1, 2_b_.) - ---- basket, 2_b*_, description of 41 - Putting in super-hives and bell-glasses, 56, 64, 65, 72, - 79, 81, 83, 110, 113 - Propolis, or bees' cement 195 - - - Q. - - Queen (Plate I, fig. 1), description of 4 - ---- movements of, laying eggs 5 - Queen, marriage day 7, 13, 177 - ---- attachment of bees to 7 - ---- disrespect until fertile 8 - ---- jealousy of her rivals 8, 175 - ---- dismay of bees at loss of 9 - ---- raised from worker 10 - ---- longevity of 10 - ---- old one goes with first swarm 22 - ---- leaves the hive only in fine weather 23 - ---- in super-hives 59, 83 - ---- loss of 9, 127, 174 - - - R. - - Roller, engraved pressing 150 - Robber-bees 140 - Royal brood 9, 175 - - - S. - - Spiracles 41 - Spring, good time to commence bee-keeping 21 - Sprinkling bees 146, 165 - Stands for hives-- - ---- engravings 62, 69 - ---- for Nutt's 84 - ---- Woodbury 54, 94 - ---- Stewarton hive, _see_ Bee-hives. - Sting of worker-bee, (Plate II, fig. 4) 46, 189 - ---- queen 5, 8 - Stocks, ventilated for travelling 251 - ---- why called so 162 - ---- best kept strong 19, 57, 117 - Stomach (Plate II, figs, 1 and 2 _hh_) 44, 45 - Supers, glass 133, 134, 135 - ---- straw 81 - ---- for Woodbury hives, engraving 93, 162 - Superstitions 245 - Swarming, usual time of year for 21 - ---- cause of 22 - ---- agitation before 23 - ---- usual time of day for 24 - ---- desirable to prevent 30, 56 - ---- consequence of a second flight of 26 - ---- how to hive 28, 71 - ---- means of preventing second flight 26 - ---- two sometimes depart from their respective - hives at same time, and mingle 27 - ---- care to prevent loss of 26 - ---- time for removing 28 - ---- care to be exercised with 53, 64, 71 - ---- first most valuable 29 - ---- second, cause of 29 - ---- how to restore 30 - ---- premonitory symptoms of 29 - - - T. - - Taking honey 58, 73, 115, 163 - Taylor's hives, _see_ Bee-hives 21 - Thomson's "Seasons," extract from 21 - Thorax (Plate II, fig. 1) 40 - - - U. - - Unicomb hives 6, 17, 97, 102 - - - V. - - Ventilation 51, 71, 73, 124, 249 - - - W. - - Wasps, how to prevent the increase of 223 - ---- attack of 225 - Water essential 200 - Weighing hives, importance of 185 - ---- engraving of Salter's spring balance 186 - Wildman 215 - ---- marvellous feats of 217 - Woodbury hives, _see_ Bee-hives. - ---- super, _see_ Supers. - Worker-bee, description of 15 - ---- number in a hive 15, 28 - - - Z. - - Zinc covers 131, 132 - - - 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. - - £ _s._ _d._ - - 1. Nutt's Collateral Bee-Hive 5 5 0 - Stand for ditto, 16_s._ - - 2. Neighbour's Improved Single-box Hive 3 3 0 - Stand for ditto, 10_s._ 6_d._ - - 3. Taylor's Shallow-box or Eight-bar Hive, - complete with cover 3 10 0 - Stand for ditto, 10_s._ 6_d._ - - 5. Neighbour's Improved Cottage Hive 1 15 0 - Stand for ditto, 10_s._ 6_d._ - - 6. An Improved Cottage Hive, without windows 1 8 0 - - 7. The Ladies' Observatory or Crystal Hive, - complete 2 5 0 - - 8. The Cottager's Hive 0 10 6 - - 9 & 10. Bee-Feeders each 5_s._ and 0 4 0 - - 11 & 12. Fumigators each 2_s._ and 0 2 6 - - 13. Honey Cutters per pair 0 5 0 - - 14. Taylor's Improved Cottage Hive 1 1 0 - With Stand, £1. 10_s._ - - 15. Fountain Bee-Feeder 0 6 0 - - 18. Taylor's Eight-bar Straw Hive, complete 2 12 0 - Stock Hive, only 15_s._ - - 19. Huber's Book or Leaf Hive 2 5 0 - - 20. Neighbour's Unicomb Observatory Hive 3 3 0 - - 45. Woodbury Straw Bar and Frame Hive - (Stock Hive) 1 5 0 - - 46. Woodbury Unicomb Hive 6 10 0 - Stand, 24_s._ - - 47. Common Cottagers' Hive 0 5 6 - - 48. Woodbury Bar and Frame Hive, complete, - with outside cover and super 3 10 0 - Stand for ditto, 10_s._ 6_d._ - - 50. Stewarton Hive 1 1 0 - Floor-boards for ditto, 3_s._ - - 24. Taylor's Glasses 7_s._ and 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, with lid 0 4 6 - - 29. Zinc Cover each 10_s._ and 0 15 0 - - 30. Shallow Glasses (new shape) - each 5_s._ 6_d._ and 0 3 6 - - 31. Bee Dress and Protector 6_s._, by post 0 7 4 - - 37. Zinc Cover 1 1 0 - - 38. Ornamental ditto 2 5 0 - - 39. Bee-House to contain Two Hives 4 4 0 - - 40. " " Twelve Hives - £15. and 19 10 0 - - 44. Bottle-Feeder 0 2 6 - - 48. Engraved Pressing Roller 0 7 6 - - 49. Impressed Wax Sheets or Artificial - Combs, per dozen 0 6 0 - - 50. India-rubber Gloves per pair 0 5 6 - - - * * * * * - - -Transcriber Note - - -The Appendix ends on page 271. However, the Index which begins two -pages afterward start at page 269. Therefore, the Index was renumbered -starting at 273. The item numbers for the Price List at the end of the -book are not in numerical order and there are some repeated numbers. No -attempt was made to correct this. On page 144, the word "bee-keeper" -in the first line of "ZINC FOUNTAIN BEE-FEEDER" was changed to -"bee-feeder". - - - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE APIARY; OR, BEES, -BEE-HIVES, AND BEE CULTURE (1866) *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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