The apiary; or, bees, bee-hives, and bee culture [1865]: Being a familiar account of the habits of bees, and the most improved methods of management, with full directions, adapted for the cottager, farmer, or scientific apiarianNeighbor, Alfred
Science
The apiary; or, bees, bee-hives, and bee culture [1865]: Being a familiar account of the habits of bees, and the most improved methods of management, with full directions, adapted for the cottager, farmer, or scientific apiarian
If, on looking in at the little window, the bee-master sees that the
cells are scaled over, the cap of honey may be removed in the mode
already described. The cells near the window are the last to be filled,
so when they are sealed, it is safe to conclude that the combs in the
unseen parts are also finished.
Sometimes the queen ascends and deposits her eggs; if, on turning up
the super, brood be visible, replace the cap for a few days, until the
young bees quit their cells. When thus emptied, honey will be deposited
in lieu of the brood.
Suitable pedestals for these hives to stand upon may be obtained. It is
important that these be firmly fixed, and the hive also made fast to
the stand, to prevent its being blown over by high winds.
BAR AND FRAME HIVES.
[Illustration]
Mr. Woodbury's Bar and Frame Hive, as originally made, consists of a
wooden box 14½ inches square inside, 9 inches deep. This is a hive of
large size, but the actual habitable space inside is lessened by the
room occupied by the frames, of which there are ten; these rest on a
rabbet a little below the surface, leaving a space of ⅜ of an inch
between the upper side of the bars and the crown board. This allows a
free passage on the top for the bees, entirely obviating the necessity
of making excavations in the crown board, as has hitherto been
recommended. Each frame is ⅞ of an inch wide, and rests in notches,
with a space of ½ an inch between each. The frames extend to within ⅜
of an inch of the floorboard, so as to hang without touching any part,
leaving about the same distance from the sides. It will be seen that
there is a free passage for the bees on every side, and they are thus
kept from coming in contact with the sides of the hive. Our engraving
shows the hive open, and exposes to view the top of the ten bars and
frames as they range from back to front. A window is also shown; this
is placed in the engraving over the entrance, but the proper position
would be just opposite. The drawing is made so as to show back and
front at once. The floorboard is 1¼ inch thick, having two "keys" on
the underside to prevent warping.
STRAW BAR AND FRAME HIVE. No. 45.
[Illustration]
Since the introduction of the wood hive by Mr. Woodbury, that gentleman
has recommended, in the _Journal of Horticulture_, that the stock hive
be made of straw, of exactly the same dimensions; this material being
warmer in winter, slightly ventilating, and allowing of absorption.
Bees during cold weather cluster together to generate the requisite
degree of heat, the temperature of the interior of the hive being thus
so much higher than the external atmosphere, a good deal of moisture
condenses at the top and on the sides of the hive; the straw, as before
stated, prevents this dampness hanging about the hive, and tends to
keep the inmates more healthy. Dampness in a hive is a fruitful source
of mischief, causing empty combs to grow mouldy, and is injurious in
many ways.
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