Chapter IX: Preface (3)

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.

Mr. Woodbury has his hives arranged on rails, somewhat after the plan before described.

In describing as above the various hives and frames, some hints have been given as to the methods of handling them. This, however, will not suffice for an induction to the mysteries of practical bee-keeping; and we must refer the reader to a subsequent section, wherein the details as to manipulation will be fully explained, and the results of the experience of several distinguished apiarians will be embodied.

TAYLOR'S IMPROVED COTTAGE HIVE. No. 14.

No. 14 hive is similar in principle to No. 8. It is also similar in size, with the exception of being quite straight at the sides. A zinc rim affords protection from the weather. Under the upper straw hive a bell glass is worked. A mahogany adapting board, with a 4 inch hole in the centre corresponding with that of the hive, supplies an even surface for the glass to rest on, and facilitates its removal when full. For particulars for stocking and management see directions for No. 8 and No. 5 hives.

EIGHT-BAR STRAW HIVE. No. 18.

This is an ingenious contrivance of Mr. Taylor's. Hoops are worked in the straw, both at top and bottom of the stock hive, and in the upper hoop are openings cut to receive eight comb bars; each bar is 1¼ of an inch wide, with a space of h an inch between. Since the introduction of square straw bar and frame hives, these have not been much in request. Considerable inconvenience is found with this hive, because the bars being of unequal lengths they cannot be interchanged one with the other.

The description given of No. 3 hive, and mode of stocking and furnishing it with guide comb, apply to this hive. The large straw hive raised up in the engraving is an outside case; the roof is a large zinc cover. If placed in a bee-house, the outside case and zinc roof are not required.

NEIGHBOUR'S UNICOMB OBSERVATORY HIVE. No. 20.

This hive is well adapted for those persons who are desirous of having the opportunity of closely examining the workmanship of these industrious and interesting insects. It is particularly intended for a window recess or an indoor apiary; and will also be found an interesting addition to the green house. An aperture should be cut in the sash corresponding with the entrance to the hive, through which the bees may find egress and ingress, without being able to gain access to the apartment, as on the plan in the case of the Ladies' Observatory Hive.

The Unicomb Hive is constructed of so narrow a width between this plates of glass that it admits of one comb only to be built, and at the same time leaves space between the comb and the glass on either side for the bees to pass and repass. It is thus made so that every bee may be exposed to view. The queen forming the most prominent feature of attention, she is readily distinguished by the greater length of her body, as well as by the attention paid to her by the other bees.

The mode of stocking this hive is as follows:--procure a strong swarm if practicable, and let it be first hived into a common straw hive in the usual way. Take care to make the necessary preparations previous to the operation of stocking; for this purpose first unscrew the top and take out the bar intended for the foundation of the comb. A sort of wooden trough, contrived to act as a funnel, is provided with this hive. It is in separate pieces, so as to be packed conveniently, and requires screwing together. The funnel must now be attached to the hive, and care be taken that it is quite firmly fixed--the metal plates are attached for this purpose. Having made these preparations at dusk, dash the bees out on to a cloth or sheet spread on the ground, place four pieces of wood so as to raise the hive a little from the cloth; then invert the hive so as to have the funnel downwards, placing it over the bees, and letting it rest on the four pieces of wood just named. In a short time (say half an hour or an hour) the bees will ascend into the hive; they will go up more quickly if occasionally stirred with the feather of a goose quill.

When the bees have ascended into the hive, take off the funnel, replace the bar, screw on the top board, take it to the place intended for it permanently to occupy, and which has been prepared for it. It will be as well to screen the hive from view for a few days until the bees become settled in their new domicile. Although this hive is constructed of double glass to keep up a more uniform degree of warmth, still from the cold nature of glass and the close contact into which the bees are brought with it, it is advisable to place flannel between the outer shutters and the glass of the hive on both sides; this is found essential in winter, and very much adds to the comfort of the bees if placed so every cold night during most of the year. In the day time in summer months with the hive being of double glass the whole may be fully exposed to view. If the temperature of the apartment in which the hive stands be kept at 60 degrees, this extra attention will not be so needful. Bees cease to appear disturbed when the exposure to light is continuous. As soon as the bees are settled, comb building will immediately commence, and in about two weeks' time there will be one comb spreading over the whole hive. The queen may be viewed depositing her eggs, and all the usual operations of the rearing of brood, storing of honey, and the building of combs, will be open to full inspection, with perfect ease to the spectator. As an object of lively and permanent interest for the breakfast parlour or conservatory, the "Unicomb Observatory Hive" may be regarded as infinitely superior to an Aquarium or Fernery.

At the Exposition Universelle of 1855 in Paris, we exhibited a hive of this description in full working order. The bees left London on the 5th of July of that year, and were placed in the Exposition on the following morning. An entrance was made for them through the side of the building, as before explained. Our bees had no national antipathies, and they immediately sallied forth to their "fresh fields and pastures new" in the Champs Elysées, the gardens of the Tuileries, the Luxembourg, &c., whence they soon returned laden with luscious store from French flowers.

The Jurors of the Exposition awarded us a Prize Medal for bee-hives.

WOODBURY UNICOMB HIVE.

The "Woodbury Unicomb Hive" has many advantages over hives of this kind as previously constructed. The engraving shows the interior compartment divided into six; these are six Woodbury frames. The inner sash opens to admit of hanging up the frames on the notches prepared for them. The width of the hive between the glasses of the sashes is just sufficient to admit of one thickness of comb with space on either side for the bees to pass and repass, the same as in Neighbour's Unicomb. There is, however, a great advantage in the use of this hive; with it, any one possessing a Woodbury box or straw bar and frame hive can readily commence a Unicomb, and as readily put the combs and bees back into the square hive again. The outside shutters on either side are composed of Venetian blinds admitting daylight, but obscuring the rays of the sun. We had the entrance made at one end, as represented in our drawing; this alteration was made after the pattern of the hive from which Mr. Woodbury allowed us to copy. His own was intended to stand wholly out of doors, and had two central entrances, one on either side at the bottom, the hive itself turning on a pivot.

When the hive was being examined on one side, the entrance was closed by a piece of wood inserted in it, and when the other side was brought round to be inspected, the piece of wood withdrawn and placed in the opposite entrance. This was a most ingenious contrivance; but it did not answer our purpose for indoors. When Mr. Woodbury sent us his hive, we were preparing for the International Exhibition of 1862, and in placing it against the sides of the building, we followed our old plan for ingress by having the entrance at the end. Since that time we have made a considerable improvement by adapting Mr. Woodbury's cleverly contrived turn-table to suit our own hive. Like Mr. Woodbury's hive, ours has two iron wheels, the one fixed to the bottom of the hive, the other fixed to a stout board running the full length of the hive; on these two wheels the whole hive turns. In the centre there is an opening into the hive, with a passage-way running underneath, so that the bees' entrance is in no way affected by the position of the hive, which revolves to suit the convenience of visitors inspecting it. Should the queen with her attendants not be visible on one side, the other side of the comb can be brought into full view, and examined with the same facility as a picture, or as articles are inspected in a shop window. Thus, in the Unicomb Observatory Hive, the sovereign mother, her train of servitors, the drones with their aimless movements, and the crowd of ever busy workers--either building their combs or storing honey--may be always seen as presenting a veritable "Tableau vivant."

Another improvement that we have made upon Mr. Woodbury's pattern is that of accommodating the frames; his was constructed before frame hives were in use, consequently it is only suitable for combs on bars. Our adaptation has necessitated an increase in size. The dimensions are nearly 3 feet square and 7 inches deep from back to front. Provision is made at top for feeding and for working two small flat top glasses for deprivation, which are protected by the weather board.

An alighting board is placed at the centre, close under the entrance, when the hive is located out of doors. When the hive is placed indoors, a passage-way about 18 inches long, covered with glass, is fixed to the entrance, the other end communicating with an opening in the wall or sash; through this the bees find access, an alighting board being fixed outside the building. It is requisite that the passage-way be about this length, in order to allow of the hive turning round clear of the side of the building.

In the summer of 1863 we had ample proof of the success of this hive during its exhibition at the annual show of the Bath and West of England Agricultural Society at Exeter. We selected six combs, and packed them in one of the square box "Woodbury bar and frame" hives, and on arrival at Exeter, Mr. Woodbury assisted us in taking out the frames and placing them in the Unicomb. That being fixed against the boarded side of a shed, we found the covered way a great convenience, and it answered remarkably well; the bees did not seem to be inconvenienced by having to travel through so long a passage. A glass covering admitted a full view of the little labourers as they crowded in, and the sight of them very much enhanced the interest of visitors examining the hive.[4]

[Footnote 4: It may require explanation how it was that we took bees to Exeter, which sounds something like "carrying coals to Newcastle." The reason was this--the garden of our friend, Mr. Woodbury, at Mount Radford, from which we could have been supplied, was so near to the show yard that he was apprehensive a large number of the bees would return to their old hives. Our bees from a distance would, according to their nature, return to their own hive, for bees although they may be moved miles away, take care to mark their new position, and are careful to return to it. Mr. Woodbury lent us a small stock of his Ligurian bees, and between it and our own hive the crowd of visitors divided their attention.]

Since the time before mentioned, we have exhibited bees at the meetings of the Bath and West of England Agricultural Society at Bristol, and of the Royal Agricultural Society at Newcastle in 1864. On both occasions further proof was given that this hive admirably answers the purpose intended, and it afforded pleasure and interest to many thousands of visitors.

Mode of Stocking.--The Unicomb hive may be stocked in two ways, which have been previously referred to. The bee-keeper may either select the comb upon which the queen is found and put it into the hive, and so form an artificial swarm; or he may take six brood-combs from a hive, and so stock the "Unicomb" at once, which we did for the show at Exeter.

The former plan is, perhaps, the most advisable, because new comb has to be built within the five frames; for, be it remembered, in this case five empty frames must be put in. It is a better plan still if artificial combs are placed in each frame so as to afford an interesting opportunity of watching the formation of the cells therein. The combs are sure to be dark in colour when taken from a stock hive; and new combs being whiter have a better appearance in the hive. The comb upon which the queen was introduced may be taken away after the artificial swarm has made combs within some of the other five frames; when the queen is on one of the new combs, opportunity may easily be taken for opening the hive and removing the old dark comb. The bees can easily be shaken or brushed off the comb, and will return to the hive. The comb with the unhatched brood may be deposited in any square hive that needs strengthening. We mention this to show how to obtain a hive with entirely fine white comb.

If the possessor of a square Woodbury frame-hive wishes to start a strong Unicomb hive, and does not object to appropriate the stock, he must take out of the Woodbury hive any six combs on the frames, and put the Unicomb in its place so as to receive all the returning bees that happen to be abroad; the remaining four combs, supposing there are ten, may be inserted in any other frame hives in the garden in which are vacancies for them.

We have had this hive in operation, in the manner last described, during the summer of 1863, and found it to answer remarkably well. On a lawn, placed on a suitable ornamental stand, it formed a pleasing object, besides affording great interest and instruction.

In Unicomb hives stocked with a natural swarm (as is generally the plan), there is considerable difficulty in keeping the bees alive through the winter. In a hive where the combs are removeable, no loss of bees need be occasioned. We do not recommend the hive we are now describing as a winter residence for bees. For four months in the year, when bees are most active and when their operations are most interesting, this hive may be brought into use, either of the two plans before described being adopted. An artificial swarm should be put in during May or June, and taken out, in the method before mentioned, and then placed in the square box during the month of September; sometimes it may do for a stock to be put in a month or so earlier, but should never be retained later in this hive. In October we often have cold nights; the bees and brood being in such close contact with the glass, and not able to cluster as is their natural wont, suffer from exposure to the variations of temperature. In some degree to moderate this. Me have used treble glass with a space between each square; greater warmth is thus attained, and the view is not intercepted. Opportunity should be taken for cleaning the Unicomb hive when empty, so as to be ready for re-stocking as a new hive in the following summer. The "Unicomb Observatory" hive is one which might have been suggested by the lines of Evans:--

By this blest art our ravished eyes behold
The singing masons build their roofs of gold.
And mingling multitudes perplex the view,
Yet all in order apt their tasks pursue;
Still happier they whose favoured ken hath seen
Pace slow and silent round, the state's fair queen.

HUBER'S HIVE. No. 19.

To Francis Huber--not improperly styled the "Prince of Apiarians,"--we are indebted for more extensive and accurate observations on the habits of the Bee than has been contributed by all other observers since the time of Aristotle.

During the early period of Huber's investigations, he prosecuted them by means of single comb hives which allow of each side of the comb being examined. He found, however, that these had one important defect. The bees could not in these hives cluster together, which is their natural method of withstanding the effects of a reduced temperature. Huber hit upon the ingenious expedient of combining a number of single comb frames so as to form one complete hive, which could be opened in order to expose any particular comb, without disturbing the rest. From the manner of the opening and closing of this hive, it has generally been called the "Leaf or Book Hive." The division separating each comb is joined both back and front with "butt hinges," fastened with a moveable pin, on withdrawing which, at either side, each comb and the bees on it may be inspected as easily as if in a single comb hive. Huber's Leaf Hive is thus in appearance as if several of those "History of England" back-gammon chess boards were set up on end together. The floorboard on which the hive stands is larger than the hive when closed, so as to allow of its being opened freely at any particular "volume." An entrance way for the bees is hollowed out of the floorboard as in other hives. There is a glass window in each end of the hive, which is provided with a shutter.

There is, however, one serious objection to Huber's hive, which, though not noticed by him or his careful assistant, has prevented its general use. That is, the difficulty there is in closing it without crushing some of the bees, a catastrophe which, by exasperating their comrades, is certain to interfere with any experiments. There is no such risk in the Bar and Frame Hive, whilst in it every facility possessed by Huber's is retained; so that we strongly recommend scientific apiarians, in preference to Huber's, that they should use some kind of Bar and Frame Hive. We have here introduced a description of Huber's Leaf Hive (and should be glad to exhibit one) for the sake of its historic interest in connection with apiarian science. The invention was invaluable for Huber himself, and it suggested to other apiarians the adoption of the present plan of vertical bars and frames.

The character of Huber, and the circumstances under which he pursued his observations, are so remarkable, that we need scarcely apologize for stating a few particulars respecting him here. He was born at Geneva in July, 1750, his family being in honourable station and noted for talent. Just as he attained to manhood he lost his sight, and remained blind to the end of his days. This apparently insuperable obstacle in the way of scientific observation, was overcome by the remarkable fidelity with which Burnens, his assistant, watched the bees, and reported their movements to Huber, Madame Huber also who, although betrothed to him before his calamity, had remained constant in her affection, assisted in the investigations with great assiduity during their long and happy wedded life. We quote the following from "Memoirs of Huber," by Professor de Candolle:--

"We have seen the blind shine as poets, and distinguish themselves as philosophers, musicians, and calculators; but it was reserved for Huber to give a lustre to his class in the sciences of observation, and on objects so minute that the most clear-sighted observer can scarcely perceive them. The reading of the works of Reaumur and Bonnet, and the conversation of the latter, directed his curiosity to the history of bees. His habitual residence in the country inspired him with the desire, first of verifying some facts, then of filling some blanks in their history; but this kind of observation required not only the use of such an instrument as the optician must furnish, but an intelligent assistant, who alone could adjust it to its use. He had then a servant named Francis Burnens, remarkable for his sagacity and for the devotion he bore for his master. Huber practiced him in the art of observation, directed him to his researches by questions adroitly combined, and aided by the recollections of his youth, and by the testimonies of his wife and friends, he rectified the assertions of his assistant, and became enabled to form in his own mind a true and perfect image of the manifest facts. 'I am much more certain,' said he, smiling, to a scientific friend, 'of what I state than you are, for you publish what your own eyes only have seen, while I take the mean among many witnesses.' This is, doubtless, very plausible reasoning, but very few persons will by it be rendered distrustful of their own eyesight."

The results of Huber's observations were published in 1792, in the form of letters to Ch. Bonnet, under the title of "Nouvelles Observation sur les Abeilles." This work made a strong impression upon many naturalists, not only because of the novelty of the facts stated, and the excellent inductive reasoning employed, but also on account of the rigorous accuracy of the observations recorded, when it was considered with what an extraordinary difficulty the author had to struggle.

Huber retained the clear faculties of his observant mind until his death, which took place on the 22nd of December, 1831. Most of the facts relating to the impregnation of the queen, the formation of cells, and the whole economy of the bee-community as discovered and described by Huber, have received full confirmation from the investigations of succeeding naturalists.

III. EXTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS AND APPARATUS.

BEE-HOUSE TO CONTAIN TWO HIVES. No. 39.

There is no contrivance for protecting hives from the weather so complete as a bee-house one, which also admits of an easy inspection of the hives ranged therein. This arrangement is especially convenient for lady bee-keepers.

The folding doors behind the bee-house have only to be opened, and the hives are at once exposed to full view. If the cover of the bee-hive be lifted as well as the shutters opened, the hives and the glasses may be deliberately inspected, without any danger of molestation from the bees. Thus the progress made by the busy multitude in building and filling their combs may be watched by the bee-keeper, from day to day with great and increasing interest.

Here our engraving shows the back view of the bee-house, the interior being furnished with two of our 'No. 5 cottage hives. Two suspended weights will be noticed; these are to balance the top hives which cover the glasses; the cord for each, runs on pulleys, so that the covers can be easily raised and as easily shut down again when the inspection is finished. We may here remark, that it is not well to keep the glasses long exposed to full light and view.

The front of the bee-house being closely boarded, a passage way is contrived for the bees by which they have egress and ingress, without being able to gain access to the house. The hives must be kept close to the front boarding of the house, so as to prevent the opening of any crevices which the bees might mistake for the entrance to their hives, and so find their way into the house. The front view of this bee-house shows the ordinary contrivance for entrance; the sliding zinc entrances may also be advantageously fixed as shown in the engraving of a "Bee-house to contain twelve hives." In many parts of the country, hives and honey are sometimes stolen from the garden; the bee-houses we furnish have a lock and key to prevent depredations of this kind.

Care must be taken to keep the bee-houses free from spiders and other insects. In some districts ants are numerous and troublesome. The plan we recommend for excluding them is to put some pitch round the four supports of the bee-house; or, better still, strips of loose flannel or other woollen material that is absorbent, which have previously been soaked in lamp-oil. We use sperm oil, being the slowest drying oil we know of. A piece of string will keep the flannel close to the wood, and then neither ant or any other insect will pass up; so that by this simple means the hives may, so to speak, be insulated and placed beyond their reach. As the oil dries up it can easily be renewed. We have found this an effectual remedy against these insidious enemies of bees.

BEE-HOUSE TO CONTAIN TWELVE HIVES. No. 40.

Where economy of room is a consideration, we fit up bee-houses with a double row of hives, one above the other. Our engravings show the back and front of a house of this kind, having an ornamental zinc gutter to prevent the wet from dripping on to the alighting board.

When a number of hives are thus together, we colour the alighting boards differently, so that bees may have a distinctive mark by which each may know its own home, and not wander into its neighbour's house. Bees readily enough receive a honey laden labourer into a hive; but if the wanderer be poor and empty, he will be promptly repulsed, and may have to forfeit his life for his mistake. Queens returning from their wedding trip, are liable to mistake their hive if all the entrances are so much alike that a noticeable difference is not easily apparent. A queen entering a hive already supplied with a fruitful sovereign would be certain to be killed. The loss to the hive to which the queen belonged is a most serious one. Hives are often made queenless from this cause, and thereby reduced to utter ruin; the bee-master perhaps attributing his loss to something altogether different.

BEE-HOUSE TO CONTAIN NINE HIVES. No. 41.

This engraving represents a bee-house adapted for having a number of hives in a limited space. Three rows of hives, one above the other.

We do not recommend a bee-house of this construction; it is difficult to erect one to afford space for super hives, without it being so inconveniently high as to be liable to be blown over by strong winds.

Hives thus located in a bee-house are not exposed to so much change of temperature and the stocks generally pass the winter well. Here we may introduce the meditations of a German apiarian, as he describes the advantages of a bee-house for the bees, and his own pleasure in watching over his pets in the winter, as they dwell so comfortably and safely. It is true that Heer Braun associates still choicer delights with the simple pleasures of bee-keeping, but as Mr. Woodbury has not excluded the higher theme from his translation, we need not hesitate to quote the whole:--

EVENING THOUGHTS IN JANUARY.

(_Translated from the German of_ Adalbert Braun.)

By "A Devonshire Bee-keeper."

Within my little garden
Stands also a bee-house,
And bees therein protected
From sly tomtit or mouse.

How quietly they're sitting!
And little trouble give,
Beyond the needful watching,
How undisturb'd they live;

That all, indeed, are living
In strong unbroken health,
And, in the brood-nest hanging,
Consume their hoarded wealth--

That in the dwindling store-room
Sufficient stores remain,
Until the rape-plant donneth
Its blossom dress again.

Thus daily do I visit
My garden and my bees,
Neglecting thereby often
My dinner and my ease.

Thank God! they all were humming
Within their hives to-day;
Nor could I find a symptom
Of hunger or decay.

And yet what ardent longing
I feel, O Spring, for thee!
My darlings' gleesome frolics
Are happiness to me!

How would this anxious longing
Consume my very breast,
But for a little being
So full of love and jest.

In heat or cold who prattles
Around me ev'ry day,
And stills the throes of longing
By commune blithe and gay.

Ye bee-keepers can value
A joy that is complete;
It is my wife--the darling--
Whose lips are honey-sweet.

With e'en the richest bee-stand
Were joy and pleasure gone,
If my heart's queen were wanting
And I left here alone.

Thus her I love and honour.
No difference have we,
But oft-times go together,
Our little pets to see.

Her kisses sweet removing
All sorrow from my breast,
And honied joys surrounding
Proclaim us highly blest.

T. W. Woodbury, _Mount Radford, Exeter_.

As originally erected in the Zoological Gardens, Regents Park.]

May be taken as suggestive for the construction or appropriation of rooms for larger Apiaries in summer houses or other outbuildings.]

ZINC COVER. No. 37.

This is a simple and inexpensive covering for a No. 5, or other cottage straw hive when exposed in the garden. It fits close on to the upper hive, coming sufficiently low to protect from the sun and rain, without obscuring the whole hive.

These covers are painted green, that colour being generally preferred.

ORNAMENTAL ZINC COVER. No. 38.

The annexed engraving of the Ornamental Zinc Cover renders but little description necessary. The illustration shows one of our No. 5 improved cottage hives on a stand. Three clumps of wood must be driven into the ground, and the three iron rods supporting the covering made fast to them with screws. There are screw holes in the feet of the iron rods for the purpose; when thus secured, but little fear need be entertained of its being blown over by high winds.

In the roof two pulleys are fixed, so that by attaching a cord, the upper hive covering the bell glass supers may be raised with facility for the purpose of observing the progress made by the bees.

The Ornamental Zinc Cover will form a pleasing object in the flower garden when placed in a suitable position on the grass plot. It is painted green; the iron rods are of such a length as to support the roof at a convenient height from the ground.

COVER OF ZINC. No. 29.

This zinc cover introduced by H. Taylor, Esq., for his cottage hive (No. 14) will also be found useful as a protection from wet for many other descriptions of round straw hives.

BELL GLASSES.

25. To contain 10 lbs., 10 inches high, 7 inches wide.

26. To contain 6 lbs., 7 inches high, 5½ inches wide.

27. To contain 3 lbs., 5 inches high, 4 inches wide.

These bell glasses are used in the hives before described. No. 25 is for Nutt's Hive (No. 1); No. 26 is for our Improved Cottage Hive (No. 5); No. 27 is a very small glass, one that is not often used, and which we do not recommend. Bees will generally fill a middle sized glass quite as soon as one so small as this.

BELL GLASSES. No. 24.

These glasses have been introduced by Mr. Taylor, and are recommended as preferable to deep narrow glasses.

The drawings will show that they are straight at the sides, flat at the top inside, with a knob outside to take hold by, through which is an ½ inch opening to admit a ventilating tube.

The larger is 6 inches deep, 12 inches wide; smaller 5 inches deep, 9½ inches wide.

The late Mr. J. H. Payne, of Bury, author of the "Bee-keeper's Guide," introduced another glass. It has a 3 inch hole in the centre, the purpose of which is to tempt bees to produce additional and larger stores of honey. It is to be used as follows:--when a bell glass is half or quite filled, raise it, and place the Payne's glass over the hole of the stock hive, with the filled glass on it over the 3 inch hole. The bees will bring their combs through, and thus Mr. Payne found that they would store more honey than if the bell glass were removed and another empty one put in its place. Of course the first glass must be smaller in diameter than the Payne's glass, so as to rest upon it.

BELL GLASS. No. 28.

This is a glass super to be placed on the hive in a similar way to the bell glasses already alluded to. It has the advantages of being straight at the sides, flat at top, and without a knob; so that when filled it may be brought on to the breakfast table, inverted, on a plate. The glass lid shown in the engraving forms a cover, and fits over outside, so as not to interfere with the combs within. These flat top glasses, like those with a knob, have a hole through which a zinc ventilating tube is inserted.

GUIDE COMB FOR GLASSES.

In some of our previous allusions to the best mode of inducing bees to commence working in glasses, we have recommended attaching guide comb. We will now more particularly explain how this attraction can be best applied. We have already shown how bees may be induced to make use of guide combs fixed to bars, and the same principle is applicable to glasses. These may be filled with great regularity by adopting the following directions, which we believe have never before appeared in print:--

Procure a piece of clean new empty worker honey-comb which has not had honey in it (because honey will prevent adhesion to the glass); cut it up into pieces of about three quarters of an inch square. Gently warm the exterior of the glass; this we find is best done by holding the glass horizontally for a short time over the flame of a candle; then apply one of the pieces of empty comb inside at the part warmed, taking care in fixing it that the pitch or inclination of the cells is upwards--in fact, place the guide comb in the same relative position that it occupied in the hive or glass from which it was taken. There is some danger of making the glass too warm, which will cause the comb to melt, and the wax to run down the side, leaving an unsightly appearance on the glass; this should be carefully avoided, and a little experience will soon enable the operator to determine the degree of warmth sufficient to make the comb adhere without any of it being melted. It is hardly necessary to state that only the very whitest combs ought to be used. A short time should be allowed before changing the position of the glass, so that it may cool sufficiently to hold the comb in its place. Six or eight pieces may thus be fixed, so that when the glass is filled, it will present a star shape, all the combs radiating from the centre. The annexed engraving shows the appearance of a glass as worked by the bees, in which guide combs were fixed in the manner described above. The drawing was taken from a glass of our own filled after being thus furnished.

In the Old Museum at the Royal Gardens, Kew, may be seen a Taylor's glass presented by us, some of the combs in which are elongated on the outside to the breadth of six inches. We believe that not only does a glass present a much handsomer appearance when thus worked--and will, on that account, most fully reward the trouble of fixing guide comb--but that more honey is stored in the same space and in less time than if the glass be placed on the hive merely in a naked condition for the bees to follow their own devices.

This mode of fixing guide comb does not solely apply to this shaped glass, but is equally useful for all kinds of glasses. It is introduced in connection with No. 28, because that glass having a flat top and no knob, the regularity is more clearly apparent.

The working of bees in the bell glasses illustrates how tractable their disposition really is if only scope be allowed for the due exercise of their natural instinct. They have no secrets in their economy, and they do not shrink from our constant observation as they daily pursue their simple policy of continuous thrift and persevering accumulation. Yet it is only owing to the labours of successive inventors that we are now enabled to watch "the very pulse of the machine" of the bee-commonwealth:--

"Long from the eye of man and face of day,
Involved in darkness all their customs lay,
Until a sage well versed in Nature's lore,
A genius formed all science to explore;
Hives well contrived, in crystal frames disposed.
And there the busy citizens disclosed."--Murphy's _Vaniere_.

THE NEW BOTTLE FEEDER. No. 44.

It has long been acknowledged that the best mode of feeding bees is through an opening at the top of the stock hive. The "new bottle feeder" is a simple and good means of administering food when a stock requires help in that way. Any kind of hive that has an opening at the top may thus be fed; bees can take the food from it without leaving the hive. Another important feature is the cleanliness with which liberal feeding can be accomplished; and few operations require more care than does feeding. If liquid sweet is left hanging about the hive, it tempts robber bees, and when once the bees of an apiary have had a taste, there is no knowing where their depredations will stop; they resolutely attack and endeavour to rob other hives, fighting and killing one another to a considerable extent. Even if no hives be completely destroyed, weakness from loss of numbers will be the portion of most, if not all, the hives in the garden.

The morals of our favorites are here a good deal at fault, for the strongest hives, when their inordinate passion is thus stirred up by the carelessness or want of knowledge of the bee-keeper, attack and prey upon the weak. To be "forewarned is to be forearmed"--and "prevention is better than cure." We strongly recommend closely covering up the feeder; one of the middle size bell glasses put over it makes a close fitting cover, should the regular cover to the hive not be sufficiently tight: when bees are not kept in a bee-house--and are on that account more accessible--this extra care is more particularly needed. The right time for feeding is in the autumn or spring. A stock of bees at Michaelmas ought to weigh 20 lbs. exclusive of the hive, and if then it weigh less, the deficiency should be made up by artificial food. It is not wise to defer doing this until later in the season, because it is important that when the food is placed in the cells, the bees should seal it up, and a tolerably warm temperature is required to enable them to secrete the wax for the delicately formed lids of the cells. If the food remain unsealed, there is danger of its turning sour and thereby causing disease among the bees. It is not well to feed in mid-winter or when the weather is very cold. Bees at such times consume but little food, being in a state of torpor, from which it is better not to arouse them.

A little food in the spring stimulates the queen to lay more abundantly, for bees are provident, and do not rear the young so rapidly when the supplies are short. In this particular the intelligence of bees is very striking; they have needed no Malthus to teach them that the means of subsistence must regulate the increase of a prosperous population:

"The prescient female rears the tender brood
In strict proportion to the hoarded food."--Evans.

Judgment has, however, to be exercised by the apiarian in giving food, for it is quite possible to do _mischief by over feeding_. The bees when over-fed will fill so many of the combs with honey that the queen in the early spring cannot find empty cells in which to deposit her eggs, and by this means the progress of the hive is much retarded, a result that should be guarded against.

The following directions will show how the bottle feeder is to be used:--Fill the bottle with liquid food, place the net fixed on with an India-rubber band over the mouth, place the block over the hole of the stock hive, invert the bottle, the neck resting within the hole in the block; the bees will put their proboscises through the perforations and imbibe the food, thus causing the bottle to act on the principle of a fountain. The bottle being glass, it is easy to see when the food is consumed. The piece of perforated zinc is for the purpose of preventing the bees from clinging to the net, or escaping from the hive when the bottle is taken away for the purpose of refilling. A very good syrup for bees may be made by boiling 6 lbs. of honey with 2 lbs. of water for a few minutes; or loaf sugar, in the proportion of 3 lbs. to 2 lbs. of water, answers very well when honey is not to be obtained.

ROUND BEE FEEDER. No. 10.

Round bee-feeders are made of zinc and earthenware; 8 inches across, 3 inches deep. The projection outside is a receptacle for pouring in the food; the bees gain access to the feeder through a round hole, which is placed either at the centre or nearer one side, whichever may best suit the openings on the top of the stock hive. The feeder occupies a similar position to that of the glasses or cap hives in the gathering season. A circular piece of glass, cut so as to fit into a groove, prevents the bees escaping and retains the warmth within the hive, whilst it affords opportunity for inspecting the bees whilst feeding.

The feeders were originally only made of zinc; but some bee-keepers advised the use of earthenware, and a few have been made to meet the wishes of those who give the preference to that material.

When the bees are fed from above in this manner, the feeder is kept at a warm temperature by the heat of the hive. In common hives cottagers feed the bees by pushing under the hive thin slips of wood scooped out, into which the food is poured. This plan of feeding can only be had recourse to at night, and the pieces of wood must be removed in the morning. By feeding at the top of the stock hive any interruption of the bees is avoided. For further instructions on this head see the directions given for using the bottle feeder.

A ZINC FOUNTAIN BEE FEEDER. No. 15.

We invented the fountain bee-feeder so that a larger supply of liquid food might be given to a hive than is practicable with the No. 10 round feeder.

The liquid honey is poured in at the opening, which unscrews; whilst being filled, the inside slide closing the opening through which the food passes into the feeding pan, should be shut down. When the reservoir is filled, the screw is made fast, and the slide being withdrawn, a wooden float pierced with small holes, through which the bees take the food, forms a false bottom, and rises and falls with the liquid. This feeder being on the syphon principle, like a poultry or bird water-fountain, is supplied from the reservoir until that is empty. A piece of glass is fixed in the side of the reservoir, in order that the bee-keeper may see when it is emptied. A flat piece of glass on the top prevents the bees from escaping, and through it they may be inspected whilst feeding. The bees find access to the feeder on to the perforated float through the central round hole, which is placed over a corresponding hole in the stock hive.

NUTT'S DRAWER FEEDER. No. 9.

This is the feeding drawer, alluded to in the explanation of the management of the No. 1 Nutt's Collateral Hive, for feeding at the bottom of the middle or stock box. The feeder is made of tin, and of a square form, so as to fit the drawer (see page 19).

HONEY CUTTERS. No. 13.

Honey Cutters are used for removing comb from boxes and glasses without damaging it. The flat bladed knife is for disconnecting the combs from the sides; the hook shaped one is for the same purpose, to be applied to the top or horizontal part of the box or glass.

FUMIGATOR. No. 11.