The apiary; or, bees, bee-hives, and bee culture [1878]: being a familiar account of the habits of bees, and the most improved methods of managementNeighbor, Alfred
Science
The apiary; or, bees, bee-hives, and bee culture [1878]: being a familiar account of the habits of bees, and the most improved methods of management
The outside shutters on each side are composed of Venetian blinds,
admitting daylight, but obscuring the rays of the sun. There are two
iron wheels, the one fixed to the bottom of the hive, the other to
a stout board running along its entire length; on these two wheels
the whole structure turns. In the centre of the floor-board there is
an opening, with a passage-way running underneath, so that the bees'
entrance is in no way affected by the position of the hive, which
revolves to suit the convenience of visitors inspecting it. Should the
queen, with her attendants, not be visible on one side, the other side
of the comb can be brought into full view, and examined with the same
facility as a picture, or as articles are inspected in a shop window.
Thus the sovereign mother, the drones with their aimless movements,
and the crowd of ever-busy workers, either building their combs or
storing honey, may be always seen, as presenting a veritable _tableau
vivant_.
Another improvement that we have made upon Mr. Woodbury's pattern is
that of adapting to admit the frames and this has necessitated an
increase in size. The outside dimensions are nearly three feet square
and seven inches deep from back to front. Provision is made at top for
feeding, and for working two small flat-top glasses for deprivation,
which are protected by the weather-board. An alighting-board is placed
at the centre, close under the entrance. The hive can, however, be
placed indoors, when it must be adjusted to the window-sash like the
indoor unicomb in the next section.
In the summer of 1863 we had ample proof of the success of this
hive during its exhibition at the annual show of the Bath and West
of England Agricultural Society at Exeter. We selected six combs,
and packed them in one of the square box Woodbury frame hives, and,
on arrival at Exeter, placed them in the unicomb. That being fixed
against the boarded side of a shed, we found the covered way a great
convenience, and it answered remarkably well; the bees did not seem
to be inconvenienced by having to travel through so long a passage. A
glass covering admitted a full view of the little labourers as they
crowded in, and the sight of them very much enhanced the interest of
visitors examining the hive.
Since the time before mentioned we have exhibited bees at the meetings
of the Bath and West of England Agricultural Society at Bristol, and of
the Royal Agricultural Society at Newcastle in 1864. On both occasions
further proof was given that this hive admirably answers the purpose
intended, and it afforded pleasure to many thousands of visitors. We
also exhibited one of these hives in our collection at the Philadelphia
Exhibition of 1876, and in their certificate of award the jurors direct
special attention to the unicomb hive with Venetian blinds as allowing
the admission of light to the bees whilst the sun's direct rays are
excluded.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account