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 that prattles Around me ev'ry day, And still, 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 ofttimes go together Our little pets to see. Her kisses sweet removing All sorrow from my breast, And honied joys surrounding Proclaim us highly blest. _Mount Radford, Exeter._ T. W. Woodbury. ORNAMENTAL ZINC COVER. [Illustration] The annexed engraving of the Ornamental Zinc Cover renders but little description necessary. The illustration shows one of our 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. ZINC COVER. [Illustration] This is a simple and inexpensive covering for any cottage straw hive when exposed in the garden. It fits close on to the upper hive, coming sufficiently low to protect it from sun and rain, without obscuring the whole hive. These covers are painted green--a colour that is generally preferred. TAYLOR'S ZINC COVER. [Illustration] This zinc cover, introduced by H. Taylor, Esq., for his cottage hive, will also be found useful as a protection from wet, for many other descriptions of round straw hives. BELL GLASSES. [Illustration] To contain 10 lbs., 10 inches high, 7 inches wide. To contain 6 lbs., 7 inches high, 5½ inches wide. To contain 3 lbs., 5 inches high, 4 inches wide.