The apiary; or, bees, bee-hives, and bee culture [1866]: 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 [1866]: 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
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, thirteen inches inside, six inches deep,
with eight bars (without frames). The above engraving represents the
super used with the bar and frame hive.
[Illustration]
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.
COVERS.
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 the 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.
[Illustration]
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. We have obviated 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, 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 twelve inches apart; to these two
rails, about two inches square, are nailed, and upon these the hives
firmly rest. Care should be taken not to have the hives nearer together
than eighteen 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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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