THE APIARY
OR,
BEES, BEE-HIVES
AND
BEE CULTURE.

THE APIARY;
OR,
BEES, BEE-HIVES,
AND
BEE CULTURE:

BEING A FAMILIAR ACCOUNT OF THE HABITS OF BEES, AND THE MOST
IMPROVED METHODS OF MANAGEMENT, WITH FULL DIRECTIONS,
ADAPTED FOR THE COTTAGER, FARMER, OR,
SCIENTIFIC APIARIAN.

By ALFRED NEIGHBOUR.

"Je connais beaucoup des personnes qu' aiment les abeilles, mais ne personnes aiment les mediocrement, ils les passionment."—Gelieu.

LONDON:
KENT AND CO., PATERNOSTER ROW
GEO: NEIGHBOUR AND SONS,
149. REGENT STREET, AND 127, HIGH HOLBORN;
AND ALL, BOOKSELLERS.
1865.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

SECTION I.

SECTION II.—Modern Bee-Hives.

SECTION III.—Exterior Arrangements and Apparatus.

SECTION IV.

SECTION V.—Miscellaneous Information.

APPENDIX.—Testimonials of the Press.

ERRATA.

At second line from bottom of [page 23], for "cottage" read "cottager."

At [page 30], fifth line from bottom, for "last page" read "page 25."

At [page 44], sixteenth line, for "this plates of glass" read "thin plates of glass."

At [page 53], fourteenth line, read "bee hive" for "bee house."

[Transcriber Note: Above ERRATA corrections were applied.]

EXPLANATIONS OMITTED.

At [page 62], "Hold the glass horizontally over the flame of the candle."

At [page 80], "An empty hive should be placed on the stand when the living hive is removed, for the purpose of amusing returning bees. If the hive is kept in a bee-house, the entrance should be shut down unto the hive is restored, when the clustered bees may be at once admitted."

[Transcriber Note: Above EXPLANATIONS were placed.]

PREFACE.

Our apology for preparing a bee book is a very simple one. We are so frequently applied to for advice on matters connected with bees and bee-hives, that it seemed likely to prove a great advantage, alike to our correspondents and ourselves, if we could point to a "handy-book" of our own, which should contain full and detailed replies sufficient to meet all ordinary enquiries. Most of the apiarian manuals possess some special excellence or other, and we have no wish to disparage any of them. Yet in all, we have found a want of explanations relating to several of the more recent improvements.

It has, more especially, been our aim to give explicit and detailed directions on most subjects connected with the hiving and removing of bees; and also, to show how, by judicious application of the "depriving" system, the productive powers of the bees may be enormously increased.

We need say little here as to the interest that attaches to the apiary as a source of perennial pleasure for the amateur naturalist. Many of the hives and methods of management are described with a direct reference to this class of bee-keepers; so that, besides plain and simple directions suitable for cottagers with their ordinary hives, this work will be found to include instructions useful for the scientific apiarian, or, at least, valuable, for those who desire to gain a much wider acquaintance with the secrets of bee-keeping than is now usually possessed. We would lay stress on the term "acquaintance," for there is nothing in the management of the various bar-and-frame hives which is at all difficult when frequent practice has rendered the bee-keeper familiar with them. Such explicit directions are herein given as to how the right operations may be performed at the right times, that a novice may at once commence to use the modern hives. The word "new-fangled" has done good service for the indolent and prejudiced; but we trust that our readers will be of a very different class. Let them give a fair trial to the modern appliances for the humane and depriving system of bee-keeping, and they will find offered to them an entirely new field of interest and observation. At present, our continental neighbours far surpass us as bee-masters; but we trust that the season of 1865, if the summer be fine, will prove a turning point in the course of. English bee-keeping. There is little doubt that a greater number of intelligent and influential persons in this country will become bee-keepers than has ever been the case before.

Our task would have lost half its interest, did we not hope that it would result in something beyond the encouragement of a refined and interesting amusement for the leisurely classes. The social importance of bee keeping as a source of pecuniary profit for small farmers and agricultural labourers, has never been appreciated as it deserves. Yet these persons will not, of themselves, lay aside the bungling and wasteful plan of destroying the bees, or learn without being taught the only proper method, that of deprivation. Their educated neighbours when once interested in bee-keeping, will be the persons to introduce the more profitable system of humane bee-keeping. The clergy, especially, as permanent residents in the country, may have great influence in this respect. There is not a rural or suburban parish in the kingdom in which bee-keeping might not be largely extended, and the well being of all but the very poorest inhabitants would be greatly promoted. Not only would the general practice of bee-keeping add largely to the national resources, but that addition would chiefly fall to the share of those classes to whom it would be of most value. Moreover, in the course of thus adding to their income, the uneducated classes would become interested in an elevating and instructive pursuit.

It is curious to observe that honey, whether regarded as a manufactured article or as an agricultural product, is obtained under economical conditions of exceptional advantage. If regarded as a manufactured article, we notice that there is no outlay required for "labour," nor any expense for "raw material." The industrious labourers are eager to utilize all their strength: they never "combine" except for the benefit of their master, they never "strike" for wages, and they provide their own subsistence. All that the master manufacturer of honey has to do financially, is to make a little outlay for "fixed capital" in the needful "plant" of hives and utensils—no "floating capital" is needed. Then, on the other hand, if we regard honey as an agricultural product, it presents as such a still more striking contrast to the economists' theory of what are the "requisites of production." Not only is there no outlay needed for wages and none for raw material, but there is nothing to be paid for "use of a natural agent." Every square yard of land in the United Kingdom may come to be cultivated, as in China, but no proprietor will ever be able to claim "rent" for those "waste products" of the flowers and leaves, which none but the winged workers of the hive can ever utilize.

The recent domestication in England of the Ligurian or "Italian Alp" bee adds a new and additional source of interest to bee-culture. We have, therefore, gone pretty fully into this part of the subject; and believe that what is here published with regard to their introduction embodies the most recent and reliable information respecting them that is possessed by English apiarians.[1]

[1] Some of our apiarian friends may be inclined to be discouraged from cultivating the Ligurian bees in consequence of the liability to their becoming hybridised when located in proximity to the black bees. We can dispel these fears by stating that we have not unfrequently found that hybrid queens possess the surprising fecundity of the genuine Italian ones, whilst the English stocks in course of time become strengthened by the infusion of foreign blood.

We are under many obligations for the advice and assistance that we have on many occasions received from Mr. T. W. Woodbury, of Exeter, whose apiarian skill is unrivalled in this country. Our acknowledgments are also due to Mr. Henry Taylor, author of an excellent "Bee-Keeper's Manual," for his help and counsel during the earlier years of our apiarian experience. Both the before-mentioned gentlemen have freely communicated to us their contrivances and suggestions, without thought of fee or reward for them. In common with most recent writers on bee-culture, we are necessarily largely indebted to the standard works of Huber and succeeding apiarians. From the more recent volume of the Rev. L. L. Langstroth we have also obtained useful information. But having ourselves of later years had considerable experience in the manipulation and practical management of bees, we are enabled to confirm or qualify the statement of others, as well as to summarize information gleaned from many various sources. We should state that our thanks are due to Mr. W. Martin Wood, who has rendered us valuable aid in the arrangement of this work.

Let it be understood that we have no patented devices to push: we are free to choose out of the many apiarian contrivances that have been offered of late years, and we feel perfectly at liberty to praise or blame as our experience warrants us in doing. It does not follow that we necessarily disparage hives which are not described herein; we have sought, as much as possible, to indicate the principles on which good hives must be constructed, whatever their outward size or shape. All through the work, we have endeavoured to adopt the golden rule of "submission to nature," by reference to which all the fancied difficulties of bee-keeping may be easily overcome. In none of the attempts of men to hold sway over natural objects, is the truth of Bacon's leading doctrine more beautifully illustrated than in the power that the apiarian exercises in the little world of bees.

There are one or two literary peculiarities of this work to which we ought to refer. It will be noticed that the numbers affixed to the names of the various hives and utensils do not follow in regular order. Those numbers refer to our Illustrated Catalogue, with which most English apiarians have long been familiar, and we could not alter them without great inconvenience.

Some persons may consider we have used too many poetical quotations in a book dealing wholly with matters of fact. We trust, however, that an examination of the extracts will at once remove that feeling of objection.

We venture to hope that the following pages contain many valuable hints and interesting statements which may tend to excite increased and renewed attention to the most useful and industrious of all insects. Although bees have neither reason nor religion for their guide, yet from them man may learn many a lesson of virtue and industry, and may even draw from them thoughts suggestive of trust and faith in God.

We beg leave to conclude our preface, and introduce the subject, by the following extract from Shakespeare,—who, without doubt, kept bees in that garden at Stratford wherein he used to meditate:—

"So work the honey bees;

Creatures, that by a rule in Nature, teach

The art of order to a peopled kingdom.

They have a king and officers of sorts;

Where some, like magistrates, correct at home;

Others, like merchants, venture trade abroad;

Others, like soldiers, armed in their stings.

Make boot upon the Summer's velvet buds.

Which pillage they, with merry march, bring home

To the tent royal of their emperor:

Who, busied in his majesty, surveys

The singing masons building roofs of gold;

The civil citizens kneading up the honey;

The poor mechanic porters crowding in

Their heavy burdens at his narrow gate;

The sad-eyed justice, with his surly hum,

Delivering o'er to executors pale

The lazy, yawning drone."—

Shakespeare's Henry V., Act I., Scene 2.

THE APIARY;
OR
BEES, BEE-HIVES, & BEE CULTURE.

There are two classes of persons for whom bee-culture should have a strong interest, and two distinct purposes for which the pursuit may be followed. First, there is the cottager or small farmer who, in thousands of instances, might add considerably to his income by bee-keeping; and secondly, there is the man of "retired leisure" and refinement, who, in the personal tendance of an apiary would find an easy and interesting occupation, and one which could not fail to quicken his faculties of general scientific observation. Moreover, in contemplating the wonderful skill, industry, and prevision of his insect artisans, the bee-keeper would find in his apiary constant illustrations of creative wisdom.

Amongst the humbler classes in the rural districts, the neglect of bee-keeping is to be attributed to an exaggerated idea of the trouble needful for the care of a few hives, and also to ignorance of the easier and more profitable methods of modern management. Many of the wealthier country or suburban residents, also, are averse to the personal trouble which they fancy needful in keeping an apiary; and, perhaps, some gentlemen are more afraid than they would like to own of that very efficient weapon of defence with which the honey bee is provided. But the prejudices against bees are quite unnecessary; bees are as tractable as they are intelligent, and it is the purpose of this little book to show that bee-culture is an easy and safe, as well as a deeply interesting, pursuit. Possibly, also, some who do us the favour to read our detailed explanations, will see how the rural clergyman, or the benevolent landlord, who keeps an apiary of his own, may be of signal service to his poorer neighbours in explaining to them the mysteries of bee-keeping.

I. THE INHABITANTS OF THE HIVE.

Every hive or bee colony comprises three distinct classes of bees, each class having functions peculiar to itself, and which are essential to the well-being of the whole community. As each bee knows its own proper duties, they all work harmoniously and zealously together, for the common weal. Certain apparent exceptions to the good-fellowship of the bees will be hereafter noticed, but those arise out of essential conditions in the social economy of the bee community.

The three classes of bees are:—the queen bee, with the pupæ or embryos intended for queens; the working bees; and the drones or male bees.

The Queen.—Dr. Evans[2] introduces the queen bee to our notice thus:—

First of the throng, and foremost of the whole,

One 'stands confest the sovereign and the soul.'

[2] Dr. Evans,—who may be styled the poet-laureate of the bees,—lived at Shrewsbury, where he practiced as a physician. His poem on bees is written with great taste and careful elaboration, and it describes the habits of bees with a degree of accuracy only attainable after continuous scientific observation.

The queen may very readily be distinguished from the rest of the bees by the greater length of her body, and the comparative shortness of her wings; her legs are longer, and are not furnished with either brushes or baskets as those of the working bee, for being constantly fed by the latter, she does not need those implements; the upper surface of her body is of a brighter black than the other bees, whilst her colour underneath is a yellowish brown; her wings, which do not extend more than half the length of her body, are sinewy and strong; her long abdomen tapers nearly to a point; her head is rounder, her tongue more slender, and not nearly so long, as that of the working bee, and her sting is curved; her movements are measured and majestic, as she moves in the hive the other bees form a circle round her, none venturing to turn their backs upon her, but all anxious to show that respect and attention due to her rank and station. Whenever in the exercise of her sovereign will the queen wishes to travel amongst her subjects, she experiences no inconvenience from overcrowding; although the part of the hive to which she is journeying may be the most populous, way is immediately made, the common bees tumbling over each other to get out of her way, so great is their anxiety not to interfere with the royal progress.

It is the chief function of the queen to lay the eggs from which all future bees originate, the multiplication of the species being the purpose of her existence, and she follows it up with an assiduity similar to that with which the workers construct combs or collect honey. A queen is estimated to lay in the breeding season from 1,500 to 2,000 eggs a-day, and in the course of one year is supposed to produce more than 100,000 bees. This is indeed a vast number; but when there is taken into consideration the great number required for swarms, the constant lessening of their strength by death in various ways, and the many casualties attending them in their distant travels in search of the luscious store, it does not seem that the case is over stated.

In a Glass Unicomb Hive,—which we shall hereinafter describe,—all the movements of the queen-bee may be traced; she may be seen thrusting her head into a cell to discover whether it be occupied with an egg or honey, and if empty, she turns round in a dignified manner and inserts her long body—so long, that she is able to deposit the egg at the bottom of the cell; she then passes on to another, and so continues industriously multiplying her laborious subjects. It not unfrequently happens when the queen is prolific, and if it be an early season, that many eggs are wasted for want of unoccupied cells; for in that case the queen leaves them exposed at the bottom of the hive when they are greedily devoured by the bees. The queen-bee, unlike the great majority of her subjects, is a stayer at home; generally speaking, she only quits the hive twice in her life. The first occasion is on the all-important day of her marriage, which always takes place at a great height in the air, and generally on the second or third day of her princess-life; she never afterwards leaves the hive, except to lead off an emigrating swarm. Evans, with proper loyalty, has duly furnished a glowing epithalamium for the queen-bee:—thus.

When noon-tide Sirius glares on high,

Young love ascends the glowing sky,

From vein to vein swift shoots prolific fire.

And thrills each insect fibre with desire;

Then Nature to fulfil thy prime decree,

Wheels round in wanton rings, the courtier Bee;

Now shyly distant, now with bolder air,

He woos and wins the all-complying fair;

Through fields of ether, veiled in vap'ry gloom

They seek, with amorous haste, the nuptial room;

As erst the immortal pair, on Ida's height,

wreath'd round their noon of joy, ambrosial night,

The loyalty and attachment of bees to their queen is one of their most remarkable characteristics; they constantly supply her with food, and fawn upon and caress her, softly touching her with their antennæ, a favour which she occasionally returns. When she moves about the hive, all the bees through whom she successively passes pay her the same homage; those whom she leaves behind in her track close together, and resume their accustomed occupations.

The majestic deportment of the queen-bee and the homage paid to her is, with a little poetic license, thus described by Evans:—

But mark of royal port and awful mien.

Where moves with measured pace the insect Queen!

Twelve chosen guards, with slow and solemn gait.

Bend at her nod, and round her person wait.

This homage is, however, only paid to matron queens. Whilst they continue princesses, they receive no distinctive marks of respect. Dr. Dunbar, the noted Scotch apiarian, observed a very striking instance of this whilst experimenting on the combative qualities of the queen-bee. "So long," says he, "as the queen which survived the rencontre with her rival, remained a virgin, not the slightest degree of respect or attention was paid her—not a single bee gave her food; she was obliged, as often as she required it, to help herself; and in crossing the honey cells for that purpose, she had to scramble, often with difficulty, over the crowd, not an individual of which got out of her way, or seemed to care whether she fed or starved; but no sooner did she become a mother, than the scene was changed, and all testified towards her that most affectionate attention, which is uniformly exhibited to fertile queens."

The queen-bee, though provided with a sting, never uses it on any account, except in combat with her sister queens. But she admits of no rival to her throne; almost her first act on coming forth from the cell, is an attempt to tear open and destroy the cells containing the pupæ of princesses likely to become competitors. Should it so happen that another queen of similar age does exist in the hive at the same time, the two are speedily brought into contact with each other in order to fight it out and decide by a struggle, mortal to one of them, which is to be the ruler;—the stronger of course is victorious, and remains supreme. This, it must be admitted, is a wiser method of settling the affair than it would be to range the whole band under two distinct banners, and so create a civil war, killing and destroying each other for matters with which they individually have little or no concern: for the bees care not which queen it is, as long as they are certain of having one to rule over them and perpetuate the community.

After perusing the description given above of the attachment of bees to their queen, it may be easy to imagine the consternation a hive is thrown into when deprived of her presence. The bees first make a diligent search for their monarch in the hive, and then afterwards rush forth in immense numbers to seek her. When such a commotion is observed in an apiary, the experienced bee-master will repair the loss by giving a queen: the bees have generally their own remedy for such a calamity, in their power of raising a new queen from amongst their larvæ; but if neither of these means be available, the whole colony dwindles and dies. The following is the method by which working bees provide a successor to the throne when deprived of their queen by accident, or in anticipation of the first swarm, which is always led by the old queen:—

They select, when not more than three days old, an egg or grub previously intended for a worker-bee, and then enlarge the cell so selected by destroying the surrounding partitions; they thus form a royal cradle, in shape very much like an acorn cup inverted. The chosen embryo is then fed liberally with a peculiar description of nurture, called by naturalists "royal jelly"—a pungent food, prepared by the working bees exclusively for those of the larvæ that are destined to become candidates for the honour of royalty. Should a queen be forcibly separated from her subjects, she resents the interference, refuses food, pines, and dies.

The whole natural history of the queen-bee is in itself a subject that will well repay for continuous study. Those who desire to follow it, we would refer to the complete works of Huber—the greatest of apiarians,—Swammerdam, Bevan, Langstroth, &c. The observations upon the queen-bee needful to verify the above mentioned facts can only be made in hives constructed for the purpose, of which our "Unicomb Observatory Hive" is one of the best. In ordinary hives the queen is scarcely ever to be seen; where there are several rows of comb, she invariably keeps between them, both for warmth and to be more secure from danger. The writer has frequently observed in stocks which have unfortunately died, that the queen was one of the last to expire; and she is always more difficult to gain possession of than other bees, being by instinct taught that she is indispensable to the welfare of her subjects.

The queen enjoys a far longer life than any of her subjects, her age generally extending to four or even five years. The drones, which are mostly hatched in the early spring, seldom live more than three or four months, even if they should escape the sting of the executioner, to which they generally fall victims. The worker-bee, it is now a well-ascertained fact, lives from six to eight months, in no case exceeding the latter; so that we may reckon that the bees hatched in April and May expire about the end of the year, and it is those of the autumn who carry on the duties of the hive until the spring and summer, that being the time when the greatest number of eggs are laid. The population of a hive is very small during the winter, in comparison with the vast numbers gathering produce in the summer,—produce which they themselves live to enjoy but for a short period. So that not only, as of old, may lessons of industry be learned from bees, but they also teach self-denial to mankind, since they labour for the community rather than for themselves. Evans, in describing the age of bees, thus paraphrases the well known couplet of Homer in allusion to the fleeting generations of men:—

Like leaves on trees, the race of bees is found,

Now green in youth, now withering on the ground;

Another race the spring or fall supplies.

They droop successive, and successive rise.

The Drone.—The drones are male bees; they possess no sting, are more hairy and larger than the common bee, and may be easily distinguished by their heavy motion, thick-set form, and louder humming. Evans thus describes the drones:—

Their short proboscis sips.

No luscious nectar from the wild thyme's lips;

From the lime leaf no amber drops they steal.

Not bear their grooveless thighs the foodful meal:

On others' toils in pampered leisure thrive,

The lazy fathers of the industrious hive;

Yet oft, we're told, these seeming idlers share

The pleasing duties of parental care;

With fond attention guard each genial cell,

And watch the embryo bursting from the shell.

But Dr. Evans had been "told" what was not correct when he sought to dignify drones with the office of "nursing fathers,"—that task is undertaken by the younger of the working-bees. No occupation falls to the lot of the drones in gathering honey, nor have they the means provided them by nature for assisting in the labours of the hive. The drones are the progenitors of working bees, and nothing more; so far as is known, that is the only purpose of their short existence.

In a well-populated hive the number of drones is computed at from one to two thousand. "Naturalists," says Huber, "have been extremely embarrassed to account for the number of males in most hives, and which seem only a burden to the community, since they appear to fulfil no function. But we now begin to discern the object of nature in multiplying them to such an extent. As fecundation cannot be accomplished within the hive, and as the queen is obliged to traverse the expanse of the atmosphere, it is requisite that the males should be numerous, that she may have the chance of meeting some one of them in her flight. Were only two or three in each hive, there would be little probability of their departure at the same instant with the queen, or that they would meet her in their excursions; and most of the females might thus remain sterile." It is important for the safety of the queen-bee that her stay in the air should be as brief as possible: her large size, and the slowness of her flight, render her an easy prey to birds. It is not now thought that the queen always pairs with a drone of the same hive, as Huber seems to have supposed. Once impregnated,—as is the case with most insects,—the queen-bee continues productive during the remainder of her existence. It has, however, been found that though old queens cease to lay worker eggs, they may continue to lay those of drones. The swarming season being over, that is about the end of July, a general massacre of the "lazy fathers" takes place. Dr. Bevan, in the "Honey Bee," observes on this point, "the work of the drones being now completed, they are regarded as useless consumers of the fruits of others' labour, love is at once converted into hate, and a general proscription takes place. The unfortunate victims evidently perceive their danger, for they are never, at this time, seen resting in one place, but darting in and out of the hive with the utmost precipitation, as if in fear of being seized."

Their destruction is thought, by some, to be caused by their being harassed until they quit the hive; but Huber says he ascertained that the death of the drones was caused by the stings of the workers. Supposing the drones come forth in May, which is the average period of their being hatched, their destruction takes place somewhere about the commencement of August, so that three months is the usual extent of their existence; but should it so happen that the usual development of the queen has been retarded, or that the hive has in any case been deprived of her, the massacre of the drones is deferred. But in any case, the natural term of the life of drone bees does not exceed four months, so that they are all dead before the winter, and are not allowed to be useless consumers of the general store.

The Worker Bee.—The working bees form, by far, the most numerous class of the three kinds contained in the hive, and least of all require description. They are the smallest of the bees, are dark brown in colour or nearly black, and much more active on the wing than are either drones or queens. The usual number in a healthy hive varies from twelve to thirty thousand; and, previous to swarming, exceeds the larger number. The worker-bee is of the same sex as the queen, but is only partially developed. Any egg of a worker-bee,—by the cell being enlarged, as already described, and the "royal jelly" being supplied to the larva,—may be hatched into a mature and perfect queen. This, one of the most curious facts connected with the natural history of bees, may be verified in any apiary by most interesting experiments, which may be turned to important use. With regard to the supposed distinctions between "nursing" and working bees, it is now agreed that it only consists in a division of labour,—the young workers staying at home to feed the larvæ until they are themselves vigorous enough to range the fields in quest of supplies. But, for many details of unfailing interest, we must again refer our readers to the standard works on bees that have already been named.

The Eggs of Bees.—It is necessary that some explanation should be given as to the existence of the bee before it emerges from the cell.

The eggs of all the three kinds of bees when first deposited are of an oval shape, and of a bluish-white colour. In four or five days the egg changes to a worm, and in this stage is known by the names of larva or grub, in which state it remains four to six days more; during this period it is fed by the nurse-bees with a mixture of farina and honey, a constant supply of which is given to it: the next transformation is to the nymph or pupa form; the nurse-bees now seal up the cell with a preparation similar to wax; and then the pupa spins round itself a film or cocoon, just as a silkworm does in its chrysalis state. The microscope shows that this cradle-curtain is perforated with very minute holes, through which the baby-bee is duly supplied with air. No further attention on the part of the bees is now requisite except a proper degree of heat, which they take care to keep up, a position for the breeding cells being selected in the centre of the hive where the temperature is likely to be most congenial.

Twenty-one days after the egg is first laid (unless cold weather should have retarded it) the bee quits the pupa state, and nibbling its way through the waxen covering that has enclosed it, comes forth a winged insect. In the Unicomb Observatory Hive, the young bees may distinctly be seen as they literally fight their way into the world, for the other bees do not take the slightest notice, nor afford them any assistance. We have frequently been amused in watching the eager little new-comer, now obtruding its head, and anon compelled to withdraw into the cell, to escape being trampled on by the apparently unfeeling throng, until at last it has succeeded in making its exit. The little grey creature, after brushing and shaking itself, enters upon its duties in the hive, and in a day or two may be seen gathering honey in the fields—some say on the day of its birth,—thus early illustrating that character for industry, which has been proverbial, at least, since the days of Aristotle, and which has in our day been rendered familiar even to infant minds through the nursery rhymes of Dr. Watts.

Increase of Bees.—Every one is familiar with the natural process of "swarming," by which bees provide themselves with fresh space and seek to plant colonies to absorb their increase of population. But the object of the bee-master is to train and educate his bees, and in so doing he avoids much of the risk and trouble which is incurred by allowing the busy folk to follow their own devices. The various methods for this end adopted by apiarians all come under the term of the "depriving" system; and they form part of the great object of humane and economical bee-keeping, which is to save the bees alive instead of slaughtering them as under the old clumsy system. A very natural question is often asked,—how it is that upon the depriving system, where our object is to prevent swarming, the increase of numbers is not so great as upon the old plan? It will be seen that the laying of eggs is performed by the queen only, and that there is but one queen to each hive; so that where swarming is prevented, there remains only one hive or stock, as the superfluous princesses are not allowed to come to maturity. Our plan of giving additional store-room will, generally speaking, prevent swarming; this stay-at-home policy, we contend, is an advantage, for instead of the loss of time consequent upon a swarm hanging out preparatory to flight, all the bees are engaged in collecting honey, and that at a time when the weather is most favourable and the food most abundant. Upon the old system, the swarm leaves the hive simply because the dwelling has not been enlarged at the time when the bees are increasing. The emigrants are always led off by the old queen, leaving either young or embryo queens to lead off after swarms, and to furnish a mistress for the old stock, and carry on the multiplication of the species. Upon the antiquated and inhuman plan where so great a destruction takes place by the brimstone match, breeding must, of course, be allowed to go on to its full extent to make up for such sacrifices. Our chief object under the new system is to obtain honey free from all extraneous matter. Pure honey cannot be gathered from combs where storing and breeding are performed in the same compartment. For fuller explanations on this point, we refer to the various descriptions of our improved hives in a subsequent section of this work.

There can now be scarcely two opinions as to the uselessness of the rustic plan of immolating the poor bees after they have striven through the summer so to "improve each shining hour." The ancients in Greece and Italy took the surplus honey and spared the bees, and now for every intelligent bee-keeper there are ample appliances wherewith to attain the same results. Mr. Langstroth quotes from the German the following epitaph which, he says, "might be properly placed over every pit of brimstoned bees:"—

Here Rests,

CUT OFF FROM USEFUL LABOUR,

A COLONY OF

INDUSTRIOUS BEES,

BASELY MURDERED

BY ITS

UNGRATEFUL AND IGNORANT
OWNER.

And Thomson, the poet of "The Seasons," has recorded an eloquent poetic protest against the barbarous practice, for which, however, in his day there was no alternative:—

All, see, where robbed and murdered in that pit,

Lies the still heaving hive! at evening snatched,

Beneath the cloud of guilt-concealing night,

And fix'd o'er sulphur! while, not dreaming ill,

The happy people, in their waxen cells,

Sat tending public cares.

Sudden, the dark, oppressive steam ascends.

And, used to milder scents, the tender race.

By thousands, tumble from their honied dome

Into a gulf of blue sulphureous flame!

It will be our pleasing task in subsequent chapters to show "a more excellent way."

SWARMING.

The spring is the best period at which to open an apiary, and swarming-time is a good starting point for the new bee-keeper. The period known as the swarming season is during the months of May and June. With a very forward stock, and in exceedingly fine weather, bees do occasionally swarm in April. The earlier the swarm the greater is its value. If bees swarm in July, they seldom gather sufficient to sustain themselves through the winter; though, by careful feeding, they may easily be kept alive, if hived early in the month.

The cause of a swarm leaving the stock-hive is, that the population has grown too large for it. Swarming is a provision of nature for remedying the inconvenience of overcrowding, and is the method whereby the bees seek for space in which to increase their stores. By putting on "super hives," the required relief may, in many cases, be given to them; but should the multiplication of stocks be desired, the bee-keeper will defer increasing the space until the swarm has issued forth. In May, when the spring has been fine, the queen-bee is very active in laying eggs, and the increase in a strong healthy hive is so prodigious that emigration is necessary, or the bees would cease to work.

It is now a well established fact that the old queen goes forth with the first swarm, preparation having been made to supply her place as soon as the bees determine upon the necessity of a division of their commonwealth. Thus the sovereignty of the old hive, after the first swarm has issued, devolves upon a young queen.

As soon as the swarm builds combs in its new abode, the emigrant-queen, being impregnated and her ovaries full, begins laying eggs in the cells, and thereby speedily multiplies the labourers of the new colony. Although there is now amongst apiarians no doubt that the old queen quits her home, there is no rule as to the composition of the swarm—old and young alike depart. Some show unmistakable signs of age by their ragged wings, others their extreme youth by their lighter colour; how they determine which shall stay and which shall go has not yet been ascertained. In preparation for flight, bees commence filling their honey bags, taking sufficient, it is said, for three days' sustenance. This store is needful, not only for food, but to enable the bees to commence the secretion of wax and the building of combs in their new domicile.

On the day of emigration the weather must be fine, warm, and clear, with but little wind stirring; for the old queen, like a prudent matron, will not venture out unless the day is in every way favorable. Whilst her majesty hesitates, either for the reasons we have mentioned, or because the internal arrangements are not sufficiently matured, the bees will often fly about or hang in clusters at the entrance of the hive for two or three days and nights together, all labour meanwhile being suspended. The agitation of the little folk is well described by Evans:—

See where, with hurried step, the impassioned throng

Pace o'er the hive, and seem, with plaintive song,

T' invite the loitering queen; now range the floor,

And hang in cluster'd columns from the door;

Or now in restless rings around they fly,

Nor spoil thy sip, nor load the hollowed thigh;

E'en the dull drone his wonted ease gives o'er,

Haps his unwieldly wings, and longs to soar.

But when all is ready, a scene of the most violent agitation takes place; the bees rush out in vast numbers, forming quite a dark cloud as they traverse the air.

The time selected for the departure of the emigrants is generally between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; most swarms come off within an hour of noon. It is a very general remark that bees choose a Sunday for swarming, and probably this is because then greater stillness reigns around. It will not be difficult to imagine that the careful bee-keeper is anxious to keep a strict watch, lest he should lose such a treasure when once it takes wing. The exciting scene at a bee-swarming has been well described by the apiarian laureate:—

Up mounts the chief, and, to the cheated eye,

Ten thousand shuttles dart along the sky;

As swift through æther rise the rushing swarms,

Gay dancing to the beam their sunbright forms;

And each thin form, still lingering on the sight.

Trails as it shoots, a line of silver light.

High poised on buoyant wing, the thoughtful queen,

In gaze attentive, views the varied scene,

And soon her far-fetched ken discerns below;

The light laburuam lift her polished brow.

Wave her green leafy ringlets o'er the glade.

Swift as the falcon's sweep, the monarch bends

Her flight abrupt; the following host descends

Round the fine twig, like clustered grapes they close

In thickening wreaths, and court a short repose.

In many country districts it is a time-honoured custom for the good folks of the village to commence on such occasions a terrible noise of tanging and ringing with frying pan and key. This is done with the absurd notion that the bees are charmed with the clangorous din, and may by it be induced to settle as near as possible to the source of such sweet sounds. This is, however, quite a mistake; there are other and better means for the purpose. The practice of ringing was originally adopted for a different and far more sensible object, viz., for the purpose of giving notice that a swarm had issued forth, and that the owner was anxious to claim the right of following, even though it should alight on a neighbour's premises. It would DC curious to trace how this ancient ceremony has thus got corrupted from the original design.

In case the bees do not speedily after swarming manifest signs of settling, a few handfuls of sand or loose mould may be thrown up in the air so as to fall among the winged throng; they mistake this for rain, and then very quickly determine upon settling. Some persons squirt a little water from a garden engine in order to produce the same effect.

There are, indeed, many ingenious devices used by apiarians for decoying the swarms. Mr. Langstroth mentions a plan of stringing dead bees together, and tying a bunch of them on any shrub or low tree upon which it is desirable that they should alight; another plan is, to hang some black woven material near the hives, so that the swarming bees may be led to suppose they see another colony, to which they will hasten to attach themselves. Swarms have a great affinity for each other when they are adrift in the air; but, of course, when the union has been effected, the rival queens have to do battle for supremacy. A more ingenious device than any of the above, is by means of a mirror to flash a reflection of the sun's rays amongst a swarm, which bewilders the bees, and checks their flight. It is manifestly often desirable to use some of these endeavours to induce early settlement, and to prevent, if possible, the bees from clustering in high trees or under the eaves of houses, where it may be difficult to hive them.

Should prompt measures not be taken to hive the bees as soon as the cluster is well formed, there is danger of their starting on a second flight; and this is what the apiarian has so much to dread. If the bees set off a second time, it is generally for a long flight, often for miles, so that in such a case it is usually impossible to follow them, and consequently a valuable colony may be irretrievably lost.

Too much care cannot be exercised to prevent the sun's rays falling on a swarm when it has once settled. If exposed to heat in this way, bees are very likely to decamp. We have frequently stretched matting or sheeting on poles so as to intercept the glare, and thus render their temporary position cool and comfortable.

Two swarms sometimes depart at the same time and join together; in such a case, we recommend that they be treated as one by putting them into a hive as before described, taking care to give abundant room, and not to delay affording access to the super hive or glasses. They will settle their own notions of sovereignty by one queen destroying the other. There are means of separating two swarms if done at the time; but the operation is a formidable one, and does not always repay even those most accustomed to such manipulation.

With regard to preparations for taking a swarm, our advice to the bee-keeper must be the reverse of Mrs. Glass's notable injunction as to the cooking of a hare. Some time before you expect to take a swarm, be sure to have a proper hive in which to take it, and also every other requisite properly ready. Here we will explain what was said in the introduction as to the safety of moving and handling bees. A bee-veil or dress will preserve the most sensitive from the possibility of being stung. This article, which may be bought with the hives, is made of net close enough to exclude bees, but open enough for the operator's vision. It is made to go over the hat of a lady or cap of a gentleman; it can be tied round the waist, and has sleeves fastening at the wrist. A pair of photographer's india rubber gloves completes the full dress of the apiarian, who is then invulnerable even to enraged bees. But bees when swarming are in an eminently peaceful frame of mind; having dined sumptuously, they require to be positively provoked before they will sting. Yet there may be one or two foolish bees who, having neglected to fill their honey bags, are inclined to vent their ill-humour on the kind apiarian. When all is ready, the new hive is held or placed in an inverted position under the cluster of bees, which the operator detaches from their perch with one or two quick shakes; the floorboard is then placed on the hive, which is then slowly turned up on to its base, and it is well to leave it a short time in the same place, in order to allow of stragglers joining their companions.

If the new swarm is intended for transportation to a distance, it is as well for it to be left at the same spot until evening, provided the sun is shaded from it: but if the hive is meant to stand in or near the same garden, it is better to remove it within half an hour to its permanent position, because so eager are newly-swarmed bees for pushing forward the work of furnishing their empty house, that they sally forth at once in search of materials.

A swarm of bees in their natural state contains from 10,000 to 20,000 insects, whilst in an established hive they number 40,000 and upwards. 5,000 bees are said to weigh one pound; a good swarm will weigh from three to five pounds. We have known swarms not heavier than 2½ pounds, that were in very excellent condition in August as regards store for the winter.

Hitherto, all our remarks have had reference to first or "prime" swarms; these are the best, and when a swarm is purchased such should be bargained for.

Second swarms, known amongst cottage bee-keepers as "casts," usually issue from the hive nine or ten days after the first has departed. It is not always that a second swarm issues, so much depends on the strength of the stock, the weather, and other causes; but should the bees determine to throw out another, the first hatched queen in the stock-hive is prevented by her subjects from destroying the other royal princesses, as she would do if left to her own devices. The consequence is that, like some people who cannot have their own way, she is highly indignant; and when thwarted in her purpose, utters, in quick succession, shrill, angry sounds, much resembling "peep, peep," commonly called "piping," but which more courtly apiarians have styled the vox regalis.

This royal wailing continues during the evening, and is sometimes so loud as to be distinctly audible many yards from the hive. When this is the case, a swarm may be expected either on the next day, or at latest within three days. The second swarm is not quite so chary of weather as the first; it was the old lady who exercised so much caution, disliking to leave home except in the best of summer weather.

In some instances, owing to favourable breeding seasons and prolific queens, a third swarm issues from the hive, this is termed a "colt;" and in remarkable instances, even a fourth, which in rustic phrase is designated a "filly." A swarm from a swarm is called a "maiden" swarm, and according to bee theory, will again have the old queen for its leader.

The bee-master should endeavour to prevent his labourers from swarming more than once; his policy is rather to encourage the industrious gathering of honey by keeping a good supply of "supers" on the hives. Sometimes, however, he may err in putting on the supers too early or unduly late, and the bees will then swarm a second time, instead of making use of the store-rooms thus provided. In such a case, the clever apiarian, having spread the swarm on the ground, will select the queen, and cause the bees to go back to the hive from whence they came. This operation requires an amount of apiarian skill which, though it may easily be attained, is greater than is usually possessed.

II. MODERN BEE HIVES.

NUTT'S COLLATERAL HIVE. No. 1.

The late Mr. Nutt, author of "Humanity to Honey Bees," may be regarded as a pioneer of modern apiarians; we therefore select his hive wherewith to begin a description of those we have confidence in recommending. Besides, an account of Mr. Nutt's hive will necessarily include references to the various principles which subsequent inventors have kept in view.

Nutt's Collateral Hive consists of three boxes placed side by side (C. A. C), with an octagonal box B on the top which covers a bell-glass. Each of the three boxes is 9 inches high, 9 inches wide, and 11 inches from back to front; thin wooden partitions,—in which six or seven openings corresponding with each other are made—divide these compartments, so that free access from one box to the other is afforded to the bees; this communication is stopped when necessary by a zinc slide passing down between each box. The octagonal cover B is about 10 inches in diameter and 20 high, including the sloping octagonal roof, surmounted with an acorn as a finish. There are two large windows in each of the end boxes, and one smaller one in the centre box; across the latter is a thermometer scaled and marked, so as to be an easy guide to the bee-master, showing him by the rise in temperature the increased accommodation required. This thermometer is a fixture, the indicating part being protected by two pieces of glass, to prevent the bees from coming between it and the window, and thereby obstructing the view.

D D are ventilators. In the centre of each of the end boxes is a double zinc tube reaching down a little below the middle, the outer tube is a casing of plain zinc, with holes about a quarter of an inch wide dispersed over it; the inside one is of perforated zinc, with openings so small as to prevent the escape of the bees, a flange or rim keeps the tubes suspended through a hole made to receive it. The object in having double tubing, is to allow the inner one to be drawn up and the perforations to be opened by pricking out the wax, or rather the propolis, with which bees close all openings in their hives. These tubes admit a thermometer enclosed in a cylindrical glass, to be occasionally inserted during the gathering season; it requires to be left in the tube for about a quarter of an hour; and on its withdrawal, if found indicating 90 degrees or more, ventilation must be adopted to lower the temperature—the ornamental zinc top D must be left raised, and is easily kept in that position by putting the perforated part a little on one side.

The boxes before described are placed on a raised double floor-board, extending the whole length, viz., about 36 inches. The floor-board projects a few inches in front. In the centre is the entrance;—as our engraving only shows the back of the hive, we must imagine it on the other side,—it is made by cutting a sunken way of about half-an-inch deep and 3 inches wide, in the floor-board communicating only with the middle box; it is through this entrance alone that the bees find their way into the hive,—access to the end boxes and the super being obtained from the inside. An alighting board is fitted close under the entrance for the bees to settle upon when returning laden with honey; this alighting board is removable for the convenience of packing. The centre, or stock-box, A, called by Mr. Nutt the Pavilion of Nature, is the receptacle for the swarm; for stocking this, it will be necessary to tack the side tins so as to close the side openings in the partition, and to tack some perforated zinc over the holes at top; the swarm may then be hived into it just the same as with a common hive. A temporary bottom-board may be used if the box has to be sent any distance; or a cloth may be tied round to close the bottom (the latter plan is best, because allowing plenty of air), and when brought home at night, the bees being clustered at the top, the cloth or temporary bottom must be removed, and the box gently placed on its own floor-board, and the hive set in the place it is permanently to occupy. E E are two block fronts which open with a hinge, a semicircular hole 3 inches long, 2 wide in the middle, is cut in the upper bottom-board immediately under the window of each box; these apertures are closed by separate perforated zinc slides; these blocks, when opened, afford a ready means of reducing the temperature of the side boxes, a current of air being quickly obtained, and are also useful for allowing the bees to throw out any refuse.

The centre F is a drawer in which is a feeding trough, so constructed that the bees can descend through the opening before mentioned on to a false bottom of perforated zinc; liquid food is readily poured in by pulling out the drawer a little way, the bees come down on to the perforated zinc and take the food by inserting their proboscis through the perforations, with no danger of being drowned. Care must be exercised that the food is not given in such quantity as to come above the holes; by this means, each hive has a supply of food accessible only to the inmates, with no possibility, when closely shut in, of attracting robber bees from other hives.

The exterior of these hives is well painted with two coats of lead colour, covered with two coats of green, and varnished. Notwithstanding this preservation, it is absolutely essential to place such a hive under a shed or cover of some sort, as the action of the sun and rain is likely to cause the wood to decay, whilst the extreme heat of a summer sun might cause the combs to fall from their foundations.

Neat and tasteful sheds may be erected, either of zinc supported by iron or wooden rods, or a thatched roof may be supported in the same manner, and will form a pretty addition to the flower garden.

When erecting a covering, it will be well to make it a foot or two longer, so as to allow of a cottage hive on either side, as the appearance of the whole is much improved by such an arrangement.

The following directions, with some adaptation, are from "Nutt on Honey Bees:"—

In the middle box the bees are to be first placed;—in it they should first construct their beautiful combs, and under the government of one sovereign—the mother of the hive—carry on their curious work, and display their astonishing architectural ingenuity. In this box, the regina of the colony, surrounded by her industrious, happy, humming subjects, carries on the propagation of her species, deposits in the cells prepared for the purpose by the other bees, thousands of eggs, though she seldom deposits more than one egg in a cell at a time: these eggs are nursed up into a numerous progeny by the other inhabitants of the hive. It is at this time, when hundreds of young bees are daily coming into existence, that the collateral boxes are of the utmost importance—both to the bees domiciled in them, and to their proprietors; for when the brood become perfect bees in a common cottager's hive, a swarm is the necessary consequence. The queen, accompanied by a vast number of her subjects, leaves the colony, and seeks some other place in which to carry on the work nature has assigned her. But as swarming may by proper precaution and attention to this mode of management generally be prevented, it is good practice to do so; because the time necessarily required to establish a new colony, even supposing the cottager succeeds in saving the swarm, would otherwise be employed in collecting honey, and in enriching the old hive. Here, then, is one of the features of this plan—viz., the prevention of swarming. When symptoms of swarming begin to present themselves, which may be known by an unusual noise, the appearance of more than common activity among the bees in the middle box, and, above all, by a sudden rise of temperature, which will be indicated by the quicksilver in the thermometer rising to 75 degrees as scaled on the thermometer in the box; when these symptoms are apparent, the bee master may conclude that additional space is required. The top sliding tin should now be withdrawn from under the bell glass, which will open to the bees a new store-room; this they will soon occupy, and fill with combs and honey of pure whiteness, if the weather be fine to allow of their uninterrupted labour. It may be well here to mention, that if the glass have a small piece of clean worker comb attached to the perforated ventilating tube, the bees will more speedily commence their operations in it. When the glass is nearly filled, which in a good season will be in a very short space of time, the bees will again require increased accommodation; this will also be indicated by the thermometer further rising to 85; the end box, as thereon marked, must now be given them. Previously to drawing up a slide to enlarge their crowded house, the manager should take off the empty end box he intends to open to them, carefully and thoroughly cleanse it, and then smear or dress the inside of it with a little liquid honey. Thus prepared, he must return the box to its proper situation, and then withdraw the sliding tin that hitherto has cut it off from the middle box; by so doing the store-room is again enlarged. The bees will commence operations in this new apartment. This simple operation, done at the proper time, generally prevents swarming; by it, the queen gains a vast addition to her dominions, and, consequently, increasing space for the multiplying population of her domicile. Provided the weather continue fine, and the thermometer has risen to 95 degrees, as marked on the scale, the remaining tin may be also withdrawn, thereby giving the bees, admittance to another box; there is now no lack of store-rooms nor of employment for our indefatigable labourers. The cylinder thermometer is required to be occasionally dropped into the ventilating tube of the side boxes to ascertain their temperature; for if exceeding or approaching that of the middle box, it must be reduced by ventilating; this is done by raising the zinc tops, to allow the air to pass through the perforations. The grand object of this system is to keep the end boxes and the bell glass cooler than the pavilion or middle box, so as to induce the queen to propagate her species there and there only, and not in the depriving part of the hive; by this means the side and upper combs are in no way discoloured by brood. The queen requires a considerable degree of warmth; the middle box does not require more ventilation than the additional openings afford. The bees enjoy coolness in the side boxes, and thereby the whiteness and purity of the luscious store are increased.

After having given directions for the working of the hive, it remains to be told how to obtain possession of the store, and to get rid of our industrious tenants from the super and end boxes, of which the super glass will be almost sure to be filled first, having been first given to them. The operation of taking honey is best performed in the middle of a fine sunny day. The best mode that we know of is to pass an ordinary table-knife all round underneath the rim of the glass to loosen the cement, properly called propolis; then take a piece of fine wire, or a piece of string will do, and, having hold of the two ends, draw it under the glass very slowly, so as to allow the bees to get out of the way. Having brought the string through, the glass is now separated from the hive; but it is well to leave the glass in its place for an hour or so, the commotion of the bees will then have subsided; and another advantage we find is, that the bees suck up the liquid and seal up the cells broken by the cutting off. You can then pass underneath the glass two pieces of tin or zinc; the one may be the proper slide to prevent the inmates of the hive coming out at the apertures, the other tin keeps all the bees in the glass close prisoners. After having been so kept a short time, the apiarian must see whether the bees in the glass manifest symptoms of uneasiness, because if they do not, it may be concluded that the queen is among them. In such a case, replace the glass, and recommence the operation on a future day. It is not often that her majesty is in the depriving hive or glass; but this circumstance does sometimes happen, and the removal at such a time must be avoided. When the bees that are prisoners run about in great confusion and restlessness, the operator may then conclude that the queen is absent, and that all is right. The glass may be taken away a little distance off, and placed in a flower-pot or other receptacle where it will be safe when inverted and the tin taken away, then the bees will be glad to make their escape back to their hive. A little tapping at the sides of the glass will render their tarriance uncomfortable, and the glass may then be taken into a darkened room or out-house with only a small aperture admitting light which must be open; the bees, like all insects, make towards the light and so escape. The bee-master should brush them off with a feather from the comb as they can be reached; but on no account, if there are many bees, should the glass be left, because the bees that are in the glass will gorge themselves to their full and speedily bring a host of others from the adjacent hives, who, in a very little time, would leave only the empty combs. It is truly marvellous how soon they will carry all the store back again, if allowed to do so. An empty glass should be put on to the hive in place of the full one, as it will attract the bees up, thereby preventing the too close crowding of the hive; and, if the summer be not too far advanced, they will work more honey-comb in it.

The taking away of the end boxes is a somewhat similar process; but they should on no account be taken at the same time as the glass, or indeed at the same time as any other hive may be—robbed we were going to say, for it is robbery to the bees,—they intended the honey for their winter food, and are much enraged at being deprived of it. First shut down the dividing tin; the bees in the end box are now prisoners separated from the hive, keep them so half an hour, then take away the box bodily to another part of the garden, or into the dark out-house as before recommended.

It may not be out of place here to say something respecting the enthusiastic inventor of the Collateral Hive—Thomas Nutt, who was an inhabitant of Spalding, in Lincolnshire. Having been disabled during a considerable period by rheumatic fever, he devoted all his attention to bees, at a time when bee-culture was but little valued; and, although it must be admitted that two boxes were used side by side long before Mr. Nutt's day, still it is due to him to state that the adoption of three boxes was entirely his own idea, and that as far as he then knew, the collateral system was his original invention. His statements have been severely criticised, and it does appear that the weight of honey which he names as having been produced in one season is perfectly incredible. But as in the district where he lived there is grown an immense quantity of mustard seed—the flowers of which afford excellent forage for bees—the honey harvests there, would doubtless, be very large. If Mr. Nutt has given his little favourites too much praise, it will be only charitable, now, to account for his statements by an excess of zeal and enthusiasm in this his study of bee-culture. It may be that the golden harvests he spoke and wrote of have been so far useful that they have induced many to commence bee-keeping, some of whom, whilst they condemned his statements, have themselves written really useful and practical works on the subject, which otherwise might possibly never have appeared. As the monks of old kept the lamp of religion burning, however dimly, until a more enlightened age, so Thomas Nutt may have assisted in a somewhat similar manner by energetically propounding his views, and thereby causing other apiarians to rise up whose names are now as familiar to us as household words, and whose works posterity will value. The writer of these pages has often accompanied Mr. Nutt on his visits to his patrons in the neighbourhood of London, and seen him perform his operations regardless of the anger of bees, and free from all fear of their stings. He often expatiated on the cruelty of the brimstone match and suffocation, denouncing the barbarous custom in the following terms:—"You may as well kill the cow for her milk, or the hen for her eggs, as the bee for its honey; why continue to light the fatal match, when every cottager in England has the means of saving this most useful and valuable insect?"

NEIGHBOUR'S IMPROVED SINGLE BOX HIVE. No. 2.

We have introduced the "Single Box Hive" to suit the convenience of those who, though desirous of keeping bees on the improved principle, do not wish to incur the expense or devote the space which is necessary for Nutt's hive.

It consists of a lower or stock-box A., 11 inches square, 9 inches deep, with three large windows, a thermometer D, as in Nutt's, being fixed across the front one, protected at the sides by strips of glass to prevent the bees obscuring the quicksilver from sight. B is a cover the same size as the lower hive, large enough to allow space for a bell-glass 9 inches wide, 6 inches deep. E is the ventilator between the glass and the stock-hive, intended to prevent the queen travelling into the super hive, and also by cooling the hive to endeavour to prevent swarming; a sloping pagoda roof with an acorn top completes the upper story. A floor-board with a block front, as in Nutt's collateral, forms the base, the entrance being sunk as before described, and furnished with zinc slides to reduce or close it as may be required. To stock a hive of this description, it is necessary to send the stock-box to the party with whom you have agreed for the supply of a swarm. In the evening of the day the hive is thus tenanted, remove it to the position it is designed permanently to occupy; if the swarm has to be procured from a distance, and is transported by rail or other conveyance, a perforated zinc slide should be substituted for the plain slide that covers the top, and a large piece of perforated zinc must also be tacked to the bottom after the swarm has settled in; thus securely confined, with a free circulation of air throughout, bees that have been swarmed the day before may be safely sent any distance that will allow of their being released the day after, because bees, though they provision themselves for a couple of days, cannot with safety be confined in an empty hive much longer.

Having now, we will suppose, procured your swarm, and having placed it in a south or south-east aspect, you may with advantage, if the weather be wet, give a little liquid food; the feeding in this hive is performed at the top of stock-box, where the glass is worked. Our round Feeding Pan or the new Feeding-Bottle may here be used. Any fancy as to the position may be indulged in, but must be settled on by the time the bees are set at liberty, because any alteration afterwards is detrimental to the working of the hive. The bees on first issuing forth, carefully mark their new abode and the surrounding objects, so that if a change be made, they are completely thrown out in their observations, which confuses them not a little, and occasions loss. Bees always return to the same spot; it is the locality that they know, and if the hive is moved a less distance than a mile, thousands return to the spot on which the hive has been accustomed to stand.

Allow your bees to collect honey and build their combs for ten days or a fortnight. Much now depends on the weather; if fine, by this time they will require additional room, which will be indicated by the thermometer D rapidly rising; 100 degrees is the swarming point, the hive must be kept below this by ventilation.

Access must now be given to the flat bell-glass at the top, which is done by withdrawing the top slide. In a few hours, sometimes immediately, the work of comb-building begins in the glass—all the sooner, if a piece of clean empty comb be placed therein.

It is of service to keep the glass warm by means of a worsted or baize bag, it prevents the temperature from falling at night when much comb-building is carried on, providing the heat is not allowed to escape. Probably, if all goes on well, in three weeks the glass will be found to be filled with fine white honey-comb. When you find that the comb is well sealed up, it is time to take it off, but if the cells are unfilled and unsealed, let the little labourers complete their work—a little experience will soon enable the bee-keeper to determine this point.

The plan to be adopted for taking glasses of honey-comb is the same as described for [hive No. 1, page 21].

TAYLOR'S AMATEUR SHALLOW BOX OR EIGHT BAR HIVE. No. 3.

Taylor's Amateur Hive, as seen by reference to the engraving, consists of three boxes, the lower one A, is the stock box, in which the swarm is first placed; B is the first super; and C the centre box; all three boxes are of the same diameter, viz., 13½ inches square inside; A, the stock box, is 7½ deep; B, 6½ inches; both are fitted with eight moveable bars, each bar being 1⅛ wide, with spaces of half an inch between, and all are easily removed by unscrewing the crown board, in which are two openings closed by zinc slides; the middle box C has no bars, and is still shallower than either of the other boxes, being 5 inches deep. In many localities and seasons, the third box may not be required. Each box has two windows—one at the back and another at the side, a zinc shutter sliding in a groove, excluding light and retaining warmth; the box C differs from the others in another respect; instead of bars it has a grating made by seven openings, each ½ an inch wide and 9 inches long; these three boxes stand on a stout floor-board, in which is cut the entrance way, 4 inches wide and ⅜ of an inch high. The floor-board projects so as to support an outer cover of half-inch wood, surmounted by a sloping roof. This is an effectual protection from the weather, and is necessary when hives are exposed; of course, if placed in a bee-house such protection may be dispensed with. The outer case is well painted, of a green colour, and when it is used the hive may be placed in any part of the garden. The dimensions of this hive, with outside cover, are 18 inches square, 2 feet 6 inches high.

Suitable stands are provided, consisting of a stout pedestal with four feet. Stakes should be driven into the ground to secure the whole against wind. Height from the ground, 4 feet 3 inches.

The bars before alluded to are for the purpose of inducing the bees to build parallel combs; for without this, extraction would be impossible. It is a great convenience, in many ways, to be able to take out a bar of comb, it gives such complete control over the hive.

To ensure comb-building on the bars, pieces of clean worker comb should always be carefully preserved; and before a swarm is put in, either every bar, or if guide comb is not plentiful, every other bar should have a piece fixed to it in the following manner: cut a piece of clean empty comb of the required size, say two inches square, not less; heat a common flat iron, and slightly warm the bar with it, then melt a little bees-wax upon it; draw the comb quick over the heated iron, hold it down on the centre of the bar, giving a very slight movement backwards and forwards, then leave it to grow cold; and if cleverly managed, it will be found to be firmly attached. Care must be taken that the pitch or inclination of the comb be the same as it is in the hives—upwards from the centre of each comb. A new plan has lately been introduced by Mr. Woodbury, of Exeter, to facilitate the correct construction of parallel combs.

TAYLOR'S AMATEUR BAR HIVE. No. 4.

Taylor's Amateur Bar Hive is stocked exactly in the same way as before described—viz., by hiving the swarm into the lowest box A, as with an ordinary Cottage Hive, and in a fortnight's time the box B is placed over it, and the zinc slides withdrawn. After this has been given them, and is nearly filled, the super B is raised, and the box C is placed between, immediately over the stock box, to induce the bees to continue the combs.

This hive consists of three boxes, one above the other, similar to the No. 3. The boxes are less in diameter than the foregoing, and have seven moveable bars in each. Recent improvements and observations led Mr. Taylor to prefer eight bars, and to have the boxes made a little more shallow.

The mode of stocking and management of this hive are the same as that last described. There is no outside cover or protection from the weather, but the wood is additionally thick and is well painted.

We quite concur with Mr. Taylor in recommending a broader and shallower hive, and advise intending purchasers to select the eight-bar hive in preference.

NEIGHBOUR'S IMPROVED COTTAGE HIVE. No. 5.

Our "Improved Cottage Hive" is neatly made of straw bound with cane, and therefore very durable.[3] The lower hive is covered with a wooden top having in it three holes, through which the bees convey their honey into three middle sized bell glasses with ventilators, which when filled hold about 6 lb. each. There is a hoop at the bottom, another round the top of the lower hive; to this the wooden crown board is fastened. These hoops are a great improvement, and are less liable to harbour insects than if straw alone were used. The floor-board, as its name implies, is a wooden board, 1¼ inch thick, with a projection of 3 or 4 inches under the entrance to form an alighting place. This entrance is cut out of, or sunk in the board.

[3] This is the hive referred to by the Bee-Master of the Times, when he says:—"The second kind of hive I alluded to is made of straw, and may be purchased at Neighbour's, in Holborn. * * * * It is so well made that it will last very long. I have had one in constant use during ten years, and it is still as good us when it was bought."

There are three windows in the lower hive, each closed with a shutter, these are very useful and interesting for inspecting the progress made. Across the centre window is a thermometer, enclosed at the sides by slips of glass. The window shutters being painted green, add very much to its appearance. The upper hive, which is merely a cover for the glasses, is a conical topped hive, also made of straw bound with cane; a hoop is worked into the straw, and made sufficiently large to allow the cover to drop over the top hoop of the lower hive, keeping the whole close, and preventing wet from drifting in. A zinc ventilator, ornamentally painted, forms the apex: this is useful in letting the confined hot air pass away in warm weather. The ventilator is opened by raising it. The dimensions of the lower or stock hive are 15 inches diameter, 9½ inches deep outside, its weight when empty 7½ lbs., the cover or top hive is 12 inches deep, and 15 inches in diameter, the ornamental zinc top being 4 inches deep. The whole is about 24 inches high. The weight of a hive packed, including glasses, &c., is about 18 lbs.

These hives have a tasteful appearance in the garden, but they require some further protection from the weather in the form of a cover or of a bee-house—contrivances that have yet to be described. In extreme cold weather, a little additional protection by having matting folded round them will be advisable.

One of the advantages this hive has over the common cottage hive is that it affords opportunity for the humane management of bees. The owner has also the power of taking a glass of honey-comb of pure quality, free from the extraneous matter, known as "bee-bread," instead of combs that are darkened by having brood hatched in them. By this system, we have combs newly made and used only for depositing the honey first put into them, hence the name "virgin honey." These glasses have a very pretty appearance, and when nicely filled, are very convenient for home use or for making presents. The lower hive is the receptacle for the bees; when a swarm is placed in this hive, they immediately proceed to fill it with combs, in which to store honey for themselves, and for cells to breed in. This hive remains undisturbed.

The best mode of tenanting a hive of this description is by placing an early and strong swarm in it, which may be generally procured of a neighbouring bee-keeper; if from a distance, considerable care is necessary to admit plenty of air; the shaking attendant upon carriage irritates the bees so much that, if not well ventilated, there is danger of the swarm being stifled, and the finer the swarm, the greater the danger. For the purpose of ventilation, remove the slides and substitute perforated zinc, wrapping the hive up in a coarse cloth of open texture (dispensing with the floor-board during transit when the distance is great).

It is necessary only to send the lower or stock hive to the party furnishing the swarm, taking the precaution to fix the slides at top with tacks, as the hive has to be inverted to receive the bees. They are shaken into it in the usual manner, as they cluster around the branch of the tree or shrub on which they may have chosen to alight. After the hiving is accomplished, the hive should be left near to catch any stragglers, for there will always be a few; towards evening, close the entrance, and remove them to the exact position they are intended permanently to occupy. Success depends on this, and also on their careful removal on the day or evening of swarming. The following morning the bees labour in the new location, marking well their habitation before they take flight, and to which they will not fail to return loaded with luscious store.

A fortnight must be allowed for filling the stock hive; then, if the weather be fine and warm, they will prepare to swarm again, as will be indicated by the thermometer rising rapidly to 100 degrees or upwards; one of the zinc slides on the wooden top must now be withdrawn, and a bell glass put on covered and protected by the upper hive, the other glasses may then be given in the same manner; a day or two after which, should the weather continue favourable, all signs of swarming will at once disappear, the bees now having increased store room which they will readily fill with comb. It is often found useful to attach a piece of clean empty honey comb to the ventilating tube of the glass; it is an attraction, and induces the bees to commence working in it sooner than they otherwise would do. The ventilator should also remain open during the day to allow the hot air to pass away from the interior, thereby contributing to the whiteness and beauty of the work; the bees enjoy the refreshment of coolness thereby afforded, and they work the faster for it. At evening all ventilation should be stopped, and the glasses wrapped round with flannel or some warm material, for the reasons mentioned on [page 25].

The directions for taking honey are also the same as before mentioned.

The holes on the wooden top of this hive are of a peaked shape, being a preventive against slaughtering any bees whilst pushing the slide in for the purpose of removing the glass when full; the tacks before alluded to should be removed from the slides when the hive is fixed in its place, they are now in the way of cutting off the glass. The hive entrance has two slides: the perforated one is but seldom required, the bees object to being closely confined, it is only necessary when removing, and then for as little time as possible; the other slide is very serviceable during the winter months to lessen the passage way, thereby preventing the admission of too much cold air; it is also occasionally useful on a summer evening, to lessen the entrance when moths are troublesome, for if there be only a small opening, the bees can guard it, and easily repulse intruders. During the time of gathering they require the whole width to remain open.

When the weather is so unfavourable as to prevent the bees leaving home for a few days after being hived, it will be necessary to feed them. Bees should not be fed in the midst of winter; the proper time is in the autumn or in the spring.

The best mode of feeding is at the top of the Stock Hive. This is done by using the Round Feeder.

The Bottle Feeder may be used instead of the Round Feeder, and in the same place, by those who give the preference to that method.

The simplicity and easy management of this hive have deservedly rendered it an especial favourite, combining, as it does, real utility with many conveniences to satisfy the curious. Not a few bee-keepers desire to unite the two qualifications, and no hive combines these advantages in a greater degree than "Neighbour's Improved Cottage Hive."

IMPROVED COTTAGE HIVE. No. 6.

The No. 6 hive is of precisely the same size, construction, and management as the last mentioned, with the exception that it has no windows or thermometer in the lower or stock hive. The apiarian with this hive will have to trust more to his own judgment as regards the likelihood of swarming, and must watch the appearance the bees present at the entrance. When it is time to put on supers in order to prevent swarming, premonition will be given by the unusual numbers crowding about the entrance, as well as by the heat of the weather, making it evident that more room is required for the increasing population.

Not being able to form an idea of the state of the hive in spring and autumn by looking into the stock hive, it will be advisable to adopt the means of weighing. A stock at Michaelmas should weigh 20 lbs. exclusive of the hive, or be made up to that weight by feeding.

THE LADIES' OBSERVATORY OF CRYSTAL BEE-HIVE. No. 7.

This engraving illustrates the construction of the "Ladies Observatory" hive. The stock hive cylindrical with a flat top and a hole in the centre; the dimensions 12½ inches inside, 8½ inches deep, the outer cover being raised, and is made of stout glass, so as not easily to break.

A support, composed of seven wooden bars fixed on a pedestal from the floorboard, is very useful for the bees to cling to and attach their combs, instead of resting wholly against the glass.

The floor-board is of mahogany, the border being French polished. A middle sized bell-glass for deprivation is placed over the hole; this hole may be closed by a zinc slide. A cover of straw, 18 inches deep, 15 inches wide, with a zinc ventilating top similar to that affixed to the No. 5 hive, completes the arrangements. The weight of the stock hive and board is about 16 lbs.

This hive is well adapted for those persons who are desirous of having the opportunity of more closely examining the workmanship of these industrious and interesting insects, as the whole of the interior may be exposed to view; it is particularly suitable for a window or an indoor apiary, and also will be found a valuable addition to the green house. Under these circumstances, the entrance-way should be covered with a flat piece of glass, and an aperture cut in the sash corresponding with the entrance to the hive; through the glazed passage the bees may then find egress and ingress without being able to gain access to the apartment; an alighting board four inches wide must be fixed outside on a level with the entrance.

We had a hive of this kind in operation in the Great Exhibitions of 1851 and 1862, fixed in the manner above described. It answered admirably, and excited much interest and curiosity, though placed there under many disadvantages.

When a hive of this kind is to be stocked, procure an early and strong swarm, which must be temporarily hived in a common straw hive, from which dislodge the bees into the glass hive, but for this purpose a little preparation will have to be made. Spread a sheet on the ground, place the mahogany floorboard on it with the support, put three bricks, or some solid blocks of about the same substance, upon which the glass will rest; then with a sharp and sudden blow precipitate the swarm out of the straw hive on to the floorboard and support, place the glass hive on the bricks, and the bees will collect under the bars and on to the pedestal. In about one hour's time the whole will have settled quietly, and all the stragglers on the board will have collected together, the swarm hanging pear-shaped from the bar support; the bricks can now be removed, and the glass put in its right place on the floorboard. The straw cover being put on the hive, it can be removed to the place it is destined permanently to occupy.

The light should not be admitted for some days after hiving; if undisturbed, the bees will speedily build comb, working from the wooden bars which are placed there for their assistance and support. In ten days or a fortnight, if the weather continues fine and warm, they will prepare to swarm again; the opening at the top must now be unstopped, and the bell-glass put on, guide comb having been previously fixed. The directions given for the No. 5, Cottage Hive equally apply to the Ladies' Observatory Hive.

It is advisable in winter to furnish the glass stock hive with more protection from cold than is afforded by the straw cover alone; some thick baize or wrapper of wadding, for which there is space between the glass hive and the cover, will prevent so much moisture condensing on the sides of the glass. Moisture is injurious, causing the combs to grow mouldy; a little protection in the way of wrapping very much prevents this.

The hole at top is used for supplying food should the apiarian fear the stock of honey is in danger of running short; either the bottle feeder, or the round feeder, may be used for the purpose.

COTTAGER'S HIVE, No. 8.

FOR TAKING HONEY IN STRAW CAPS WITHOUT THE DESTRUCTION OF THE BEES.

A very prevalent opinion exists that bees do better in straw than in hives made of any other material. Another opinion prevails, viz., that the old fashioned straw hive is the least expensive, the most simple, and the most productive. Although we cannot go so far as this, we are willing to admit that a simplified adaptation of the humane system to the old common straw hive is the most suitable to put into the hands of that large class of bee-keepers—Cottagers. By these the more fanciful hives will be instantly condemned; besides, the expense puts them quite beyond the reach of the poorer class. The object aimed at in planning our Cottager's Hive has been to furnish a depriving hive that should be at once easy of management, inexpensive, and convenient. The stock hive, into which the bees are first hived, is a round straw hive, having a flat top with a hole in the centre. The size of this lower hive is 7 or 8 inches deep, 14 inches across the bottom, finished with a wooden hoop, which adds very much to the firmness and durability of the hive. The floorboard is 1¼ inch thick, with a way sunk therein for the entrance. A small round mat of straw closes the hole on the top; this mat may be fixed by wooden pegs. We have now described what is termed the stock hive, which is, in fact, an old fashioned straw hive adapted, modernised, and improved to the more humane, viz., the depriving system. The weight of the stock hive with its floorboard is about 7 lbs.

The super or cap hive is about 7 inches deep, 8 inches in diameter, and when filled contains about 10 lbs. of honey and comb. A glass window which is placed at the side is useful for inspecting the progress made in filling it.

A common straw hive, sufficiently deep to cover, drops over the super, keeping the window dark and fitting close on to the stock hive. This cover hive may be made fast by driving in two skewers, one on either side, to keep the whole firm. Unless placed in a bee-house or under a shed, the outside should be painted; or a piece of oil-cloth or waterproof covering of any kind shaped so as to shoot off the rain, will save the trouble of paint, and answer the purpose. If no protection of this sort is used, the rain is likely to rot the straw. As a covering cottagers often use straight stiff thatching straw sewed together; this contrivance is termed a hackle, and has a pretty appearance, particularly if a number of hives are in a row. Care has to be exercised that mice do not make the covering hive a resting place. Mortar is often used for fastening round the hive at the bottom; this is a bad plan, as it forms a harbour for insects; the wooden hoop fits so close as to leave little necessity for anything of the kind.

The principle of the depriving system is so much the same with all our hives, that a good deal of repetition is necessary in describing in detail the management of each separate variety. The object aimed at with the Cottager's Hive, as indeed with all our hives, is to provide a compartment for the bees to live in with their queen, she being the mother of all. It is intended, by inducing the queen to remain in her original apartment, that all breeding should be there performed, as well as the storing of bee-bread and honey for the winter sustenance of the bees. The cap hive or upper chamber, known as the "super," is for the storing of honey which the bee-keeper looks upon as a surplus, and which, at the close of the honey gathering, or as soon as filled, he intends to deprive the bees of, and appropriate to his own use,—of course taking care to leave sufficient in the lower or stock hive for winter sustenance.

The mode of stocking a hive of this kind is so familiarly known that any who at all understand the hiving of bees into a common straw hive, can make no mistake or find any difficulty in performing it. Lest these pages should fall into the hands of persons who are not so acquainted, we will refer them to the directions already given.

The hive may be smeared inside with a little honey if at hand; but this is unimportant, as a clean hive answers well. Some older bee-keepers prefer to give a little dressing to encourage the bees to like their new home.

After the swarm has been in the hive two weeks, the straw super hive may be put on, first removing the straw mat to give the bees access to it. If the hive be a stock, that is a swarm of the last or previous years, the super may be put on as soon as the weather is fine and warm in May. But much depends on the weather and the strength of the hive as regards the time occupied by the bees in filling the super; in favourable weather a fortnight suffices.

If, on looking in at the little window, the bee-master sees that the cells are scaled over, the cap of honey may be removed in the mode already described. The cells near the window are the last to be filled, so when they are sealed, it is safe to conclude that the combs in the unseen parts are also finished.

Sometimes the queen ascends and deposits her eggs; if, on turning up the super, brood be visible, replace the cap for a few days, until the young bees quit their cells. When thus emptied, honey will be deposited in lieu of the brood.

Suitable pedestals for these hives to stand upon may be obtained. It is important that these be firmly fixed, and the hive also made fast to the stand, to prevent its being blown over by high winds.

BAR AND FRAME HIVES.

Mr. Woodbury's Bar and Frame Hive, as originally made, consists of a wooden box 14½ inches square inside, 9 inches deep. This is a hive of large size, but the actual habitable space inside is lessened by the room occupied by the frames, of which there are ten; these rest on a rabbet a little below the surface, leaving a space of ⅜ of an inch between the upper side of the bars and the crown board. This allows a free passage on the top for the bees, entirely obviating the necessity of making excavations in the crown board, as has hitherto been recommended. Each frame is ⅞ of an inch wide, and rests in notches, with a space of ½ an inch between each. The frames extend to within ⅜ of an inch of the floorboard, so as to hang without touching any part, leaving about the same distance from the sides. It will be seen that there is a free passage for the bees on every side, and they are thus kept from coming in contact with the sides of the hive. Our engraving shows the hive open, and exposes to view the top of the ten bars and frames as they range from back to front. A window is also shown; this is placed in the engraving over the entrance, but the proper position would be just opposite. The drawing is made so as to show back and front at once. The floorboard is 1¼ inch thick, having two "keys" on the underside to prevent warping.

STRAW BAR AND FRAME HIVE. No. 45.

Since the introduction of the wood hive by Mr. Woodbury, that gentleman has recommended, in the Journal of Horticulture, that the stock hive be made of straw, of exactly the same dimensions; this material being warmer in winter, slightly ventilating, and allowing of absorption. Bees during cold weather cluster together to generate the requisite degree of heat, the temperature of the interior of the hive being thus so much higher than the external atmosphere, a good deal of moisture condenses at the top and on the sides of the hive; the straw, as before stated, prevents this dampness hanging about the hive, and tends to keep the inmates more healthy. Dampness in a hive is a fruitful source of mischief, causing empty combs to grow mouldy, and is injurious in many ways.

The square straw hives, and a machine for making them, exhibited in the Austrian department of the International Exhibition of 1862, suggested the idea of employing that material for English bar and frame hives. We have had made a machine somewhat similar to the one exhibited and suited to the size of our hives, by which our hive maker is able to manufacture neat square straw hives. These have a wood frame at top an inch deep, with the requisite notches to allow the ten comb frames to hang. A similar frame forms the base, the straw being worked between. The floorboard is 1¼ inch thick, "keyed" with stout keys as before mentioned. An inch projection is left on all sides beyond the exterior of the hive, from which it is slightly chamfered down. An entrance 4 inches wide is cut out of the substance of the board, beginning at the edge, and continuing on the same level until inside the hive, where it slopes upwards. This entrance is about ⅜ of an inch high where the hive crosses it.

These straw hives have been generally made without windows; as Mr. Woodbury and other scientific apiarians so prefer them. They consider that glass windows are unsuited for winter, because then moisture condenses on the glass. There is no doubt that the having a peep hole or two in a hive adds very agreeably to its value for amateur bee-keepers, and to meet the wishes of such, we have had straw hives constructed with windows. It is not every one who would like to lift out the frames as often as is necessary for an inspection of the state of the colony, nor, perhaps, is it advisable to be often thus meddling. The windows have also a very neat appearance. We have hives with one, and some with two and three windows; of course, a little extra expense is incurred where these are made; but that is not objected to by those who approve of the additional convenience. The crown board (if correct to call a straw top by that name) has, like the hive, a frame of wood all round, and a square piece of wood in the centre, with a two inch hole; this hole is for the purpose of administering food in a mode to be explained hereafter. A circular block of wood, 4 inches in diameter, closes the opening.

GLASS BAR AND FRAME HIVES.

Some bee-keepers like to be able to make a full and daily inspection of the hive; we have therefore prepared a few hives, constructed of wooden frames enclosed on all sides and on the top with window glass. The dimensions are precisely the same as those before mentioned, and allow of the same number of bars and frames (ten). The crown has a round hole cut in the glass to admit of feeding. The four sides are constructed of double glass, to preserve the bees from variations of temperature. We cannot, however, recommend this hive for a winter residence for the bees; we should prefer lifting the combs out with the bees, and placing them in a straw hive of similar construction, to pass through the ordeal of the winter season. A stock of bees might be kept through the year in a hive of this kind, but would require well wrapping round to keep out the cold. There should be a small glass over the hole at top so as to allow the moisture to arise and condense, instead of doing so in the hive. The operation of exchanging the hive is so easy, that we should be content to place a stock in one, say, from April to September, and shift it in the autumn. Such a hive is a very pleasing object of interest, as in it the whole commonwealth of bees is exposed to view; and the hive need not be obscured from daylight, provided it be protected from sun and rain. All the external wood-work is of oak colour varnished, so that the appearance of the "Glass Bar and Frame Hive" is extremely neat and much approved of.

Frame.—As before mentioned, each stock hive has ten of these frames, each 13 inches long by 7¼ inches high, with a ⅝ inch projection at either upper end, which rests in the notch, either back or front. The width both of the bar and frame is ⅞ of an inch; this is less by ¼ of an inch than the bar recommended by the older apiarians. Mr. Woodbury,—whose authority on the modern plans for keeping bees is of great weight,—finds the ⅞ of an inch bar an improvement, because with them the combs are closer together, and require fewer bees to cover the brood. Then, too, in the same space that eight old fashioned bars occupied the narrower frames admit of an additional bar, so that, by using these, increased accommodation is afforded for breeding and the storing of honey.

Section of bar.

Improved Comb Bar.—Mr. Woodbury says that this little contrivance has proved very effectual in securing straight combs when guide combs are not obtainable. The lower angles are rounded off, whilst a central rib is added of about ⅛ of an inch in breadth and depth. This central rib extends to within ½ an inch of each end, where it is removed in order to admit of the bar fitting into the usual notch. All that is necessary to insure the regular formation of combs is, to coat the underneath surface of the central rib with melted wax. Mr. Woodbury further says, "my practice is to use plain bars whenever guide-combs are attainable, as these can be attached with much greater facility to a plain than to a ribbed bar; but whenever I put in a bar without comb, I always use one of the improved ones. By this method, crooked and irregular combs are altogether unknown in my apiary."

Most of our bars are made with the ridge; but should any of our customers prefer the flat ones, we keep a few to supply their requirements.

With the moveable "bar and frame hive" every comb is available for extraction, and may easily be taken out of the hive; each comb being fixed within its frame, there is less disturbance to the bees than if the combs were fixed to the sides, as is the case with ordinary hives. A strip of wood, about ½ an inch wide, rests on the floorboard; in this strip are ten notches, made to receive the lower part of the frames, so as to retain them in their places at equal distances from each other. A difficulty is found with a well stocked hive in dropping the frames into the exact notches, so that it is not necessary to have these rack works always in use; but when any movement of the hive is made, it is essential to have the frames firmly fixed by the aid of this contrivance. It is also advisable to have the frames perpendicularly supported until the combs are built, so in order that the frames should hang true, the hive ought to be on the level. A little inclination may be given to it from back to front, causing the hive slightly to fall towards the entrance, so as to allow the moisture inside the hive, caused by the exhalations of the bees, to run off.

"Compound Bar Frame."—In the Journal of Horticulture, Mr. Woodbury thus describes the compound bar frame. Being his own adaptation, we cannot do better than use his own words. "This is a contrivance of my own, which I have found very advantageous in enabling me to use frames in stock hives and bars in supers, without forfeiting the advantages arising from the unlimited interchangeability of every comb in every hive and super in the apiary. Its construction will be readily understood by an inspection of the annexed sketch, in which the comb bar is shown slightly raised from its frame. The bar itself is 13¼ inches long by ⅞ of an inch wide and ⅜ of an inch thick. When the comb bar is in its place, the whole forms a frame 13 inches long by 7¼ inches high (inside measure), with ⅝ of an inch projection at each end, which rests in its appropriate notch in either the back or front of the hive. When filled with comb, the bar becomes so firmly cemented to the frame as to admit of its being handled with facility." This contrivance is, no doubt, very excellent in the hands of Mr. Woodbury; but in the hands of the unpractised severe mishaps may arise. In warm weather the propolis and wax, with which the bees cement the bar to the frame, becomes soft, consequently in handling the frames, unless dexterity is used, the comb is likely to drop out. We, therefore, recommend that the bar and frame be made both in one: greater firmness and simplicity are thereby gained. Some of these compound bars and frames are kept in stock at our establishment, though they cannot be recommended for general use; but should any one prefer them, they can be supplied at the same price as the common frames.

In describing the stock hives of wood, straw, and glass, allusion has frequently been made to the depriving hives, technically called "supers." These are also made of glass in wood frames, 13 inches inside, 6 inches deep, with eight bars (without frames). The accompanying cut represents the super used with the bar and frame hive.

Honey-combs in supers are better when made thicker than those for breeding, consequently the bars are placed a little further apart than in the lower or stock hive; they are either the "Woodbury Ribbed," contrived to induce the straight building of combs, or flat bars with guide combs affixed.

Cover.—A loose outer case, forming a complete cover for the hive, is found very useful. The case is made in two parts for convenience, the roof is also separate, having an acorn at top which forms a neat finish. These outside cases are made of wood, and drop lightly over all; when thus protected and fixed on a pedestal, the hive may be placed in the open air in such position as fancy may dictate. The aspect should be south or south-east, and if against a wall, sufficient space must be allowed for a free passage behind, as it is from thence all operations must be conducted by the apiarian. The case and roof with the stand being the only parts exposed to weather, will be the only portions that require painting; they are sometimes stained and varnished, and we are inclined to prefer the latter for appearance. Should the apiarian have a complete bee-hive house, the cover and stands will not be needed.

When removing or replacing the covers, care should be taken to do so very gently, or the bees will be enraged and rush out, and may inflict stings upon those within their reach. The necessity for lifting off the cover for the purpose of looking in, either at the window of the stock hive or of the super, we have obviated by making a door both in the upper and lower parts of the outside case. These doors, or unglazed windows, are hinged at the bottom so as to open downwards, rendering inspection easy without disturbance to the bees.

A wooden range for supporting a number of hives makes a safe and economical stand; it may be formed by driving firmly into the ground two rows of posts, each row about 13 inches apart; to these two rails about 2 inches square are nailed, and upon these the hives firmly rest. Care should be taken not to have the hives nearer together than 18 inches; the intermediate space will be found very convenient on which to rest the cover, or for supporting an empty hive during the proper performance of any operation.