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).