lower or stock hive is fifteen inches in diameter and nine and a half in depth outside; its weight, when empty, is seven pounds and a half. The cover, or top hive, is twelve inches deep and fifteen inches in diameter; the ornamental zinc top being four inches deep. The whole is about twenty-four inches high. The weight of a hive packed, including glasses, is about eighteen pounds. [Footnote 20: This is the hive referred to by the "Bee-Master" of the Times (Dr. Gumming) when he says: "The second kind of hive I alluded to is made of straw, and may be purchased at Neighbours', in Holborn.... It is so well made that it will last very long. I have had one in constant use during ten years, and it is still as good as when it was bought."] These hives have a tasteful appearance in the garden, but they require some further protection from the weather in the form of a cover or of a bee-house--contrivances that have yet to be described. In extreme cold weather a little additional protection, by having matting folded round them, will be advisable. One of the advantages of this and the preceding hives over the ordinary cottage hive is that they afford ready opportunity for the humane management of bees. The bell glasses also give the owner the power of taking honeycomb of pure quality, free from the extraneous matter known as "bee-bread," instead of combs that are darkened by having brood hatched in them. By this system we have combs newly made and used only for depositing the honey first put into them: hence the name "virgin honey." These glasses have a very pretty appearance, and, when nicely filled, are very convenient for home use or for making presents. The lower hive is the receptacle for the bees; when a swarm is placed in this hive they immediately proceed to fill it with combs for the storage of honey for their own use, and for cells to breed in. This hive remains undisturbed.