Whilst on the subject of feeding, it may be well to suggest to the bee-keeper, that, after the honey harvest, he should ascertain the state of the stock-hive, because we have sometimes found that hives which were very strong during summer, and which have yielded a good supply of honey, have been left rather poorly off for the winter. No doubt, under the impression that those nicely-filled supers which the bees intended for themselves would be amply sufficient for their sustenance, they have, for the most part, devoted the space below to the queen for breeding, little imagining that the precious store would be taken away, and consequently have left themselves too small provision for autumn and winter. The apiarian having, therefore, so richly reaped the fruit of his bees' labours, it is but right that he should guard against the labourers themselves suffering any want therefrom. The state of the interior of the hive may be ascertained by applying a weighing machine, and the requisite supply administered by feeding. Both weighing machine and feeder are described further on. The simplicity and easy management of this hive have deservedly rendered it an especial favourite, combining, as it does, real utility with many conveniences to satisfy the curious. Not a few bee-keepers desire to unite the two qualifications, and no hives combine these advantages in a greater degree than Neighbour's improved cottage hive. IMPROVED COTTAGE HIVE WITHOUT WINDOWS. This hive is of precisely the same size, construction, and management as the last mentioned, with the exception that it has no windows or thermometer in the lower or stock hive. The apiarian, with this hive, will have to trust more to his own judgment as regards the likelihood of swarming, and must watch the appearance the bees present at the entrance. When it is time to put on supers, in order to prevent swarming, premonition will be given by the unusual numbers crowding about the entrance, as well as by the heat of the weather, making it evident that more room is required for the increasing population. Not being able to form an idea of the state of the hive in spring and autumn by looking into the stock-hive, it will be advisable to adopt the means of weighing. A stock at Michaelmas should weigh 20 lbs., exclusive of the hive, or be made up to that weight by feeding. THE LADIES' OBSERVATORY OR CRYSTAL BEE-HIVE. [Illustration] The following engraving illustrates the construction of the Ladies' Observatory Hive. The stock-hive is cylindrical, with a flat top and a hole in the centre; the dimensions twelve and a half inches inside, eight and a half inches deep; the outer cover being raised, and made of stout glass, so as not easily to break. A support, composed of even wooden bars fixed on a pedestal from the floor-board, is very useful for the bees to cling to and attach their combs, instead of resting wholly against the glass.