With regard to the materials of which hives are made, I believe it to
be a matter of indifference whether straw or wood be used, but the
facility and economy in the construction of straw hives must always
be a recommendation, especially to the cottager. Having, therefore,
decided upon the materials for cottagers' hives, their form must now be
considered. For straw hives I would recommend the following size:--7
inches deep and 14 in diameter; straight at the sides and flat at the
top; in shape like a half-bushel measure. A hole should be made in the
top 4 inches in diameter, and a piece of straw-work, like that of
which the hive is made, large enough to cover it, must be fastened over
the hole; not to fit in, but to cover _over_ it.
[Illustration: Fig. 2.]
It is better to have a groove made in the floor-board for an entrance
than to cut a piece out of the hive. The entrance should be 3 inches
wide by three-eighths of an inch high, to which affix a piece of copper
or zinc, about 6 inches long by 3 inches wide, having a groove to admit
two sliding plates, one perforated, and the other having a hole large
enough to allow but one Bee to come out at a time.
Great advantages arise from this little apparatus; the perforated
slider is used to confine the Bees to their hive when snow lies upon
the ground, which entices them out, and they perish; it is useful,
also, when feeding becomes necessary, to exclude all intruders. The
other slider is used both in spring and autumn, preventing either
robbers or wasps from entering; for three or four Bees, with the help
of this slider, can guard the entrance more effectually than ten times
that number without it.
[Illustration: Fig. 3.]
Supply of Hives.--To those persons who are disposed to adopt the very
simple method of managing their Bees that I have for so many years
successfully followed, I would say, Procure a supply of _Payne's
Improved Cottage Hives_; also of small hives, 8 inches in diameter and
7 inches deep, flat at the top with a bit of glass in one side covered
by a shutter. This hive is in shape the same as the large one, and
with a hole in the top covered with a piece of straw-work in the same
manner.
[Illustration: Fig. 4.]
[Illustration: Fig. 5.]
Boxes and Bell-Glasses.--Should boxes be preferred, those which I use
are made of inch-thick deal, 9 inches square, and 8 inches deep--inside
measure; with a piece of glass 6 inches by 7-1/2, let in on one side,
and covered by a shutter to exclude the light. Bell-glasses may also
be used with equal success if the light be effectually excluded. I
usually put on a bell-glass first, and when partially filled, raise it
up and place between it and the parent hive the small hive or box above
described. I say _partially_ filled, because, if allowed to remain till
filled, the Bees would very probably swarm, which the additional room
and ventilation given them, by placing either the box or small hive
between the glass and parent hive, will prevent.
[Illustration: Fig. 6.]
Adapting-Board.--A good supply of adapting-boards must also be in
readiness. They should be made of mahogany, for it will allow of being
worked very thin, without the risk of warping when used. They are
a quarter of an inch in thickness (_this is important_), 12 inches
square, with a circular hole in the middle 4 inches in diameter.