During the last few years there have been great changes introduced in
the form and arrangements of Bee hives, which have met with the highest
approval of our best practical apiarians. Of these we shall just notice
those which have come in for the greatest share of favour, and which
are obtainable at a price which is within the means of persons of
ordinary income.
The Stewarton Hive may be said to have revolutionised the whole system
of storifying bar hives. It has been in use for many years in Ayrshire,
and their introduction to the south is due to the late Mr. Eaglesham,
of Stewarton--an enthusiastic and very successful apiarian
These hives consist of boxes of an octagonal shape, three of which
are set one upon the other and constitute a hive. The inside measure
is 13-3/4 inches across from side to side, or from back to front.
The height of the box, measured inside, is 5-3/4 inches. The bottom
is perfectly open. The top is quite flat, and consists of seven
fixed bars, each 1-1/2 inch wide, placed parallel to each other in
the direction from back to front. The spaces between the bars are
three-eighths of an inch wide, and are capable of being closed by
strips of wood, which slide in grooves made in the sides of the bars,
and which can readily be drawn out behind when required. Across the
middle of each box, at half its height, is a cross bar serving to
support the comb. Windows with sliding shutters are placed in the back
and front of each box, and an entrance is cut out of the front, 3
inches in width by half an inch in height, with a slide to close it to
any required extent. In addition to the set of three boxes, a shallow
honey-box 3-3/4 inches in depth, and without an entrance in the front,
but otherwise made in precisely the same manner, is used as a super.
These boxes being used on the storifying system, they are furnished
with buttons and hooks for the purpose of securing them together.
The general outline of the management is as follows:--A swarm is hived
into two boxes communicating with each other. When these are nearly
filled with comb a honey-box is placed above, neatly furnished with
guide-combs on the bars. When the Bees are fairly at work in the
honey-box, the third body box may be added below to give increased room
and prevent swarming. In the winter this third box is removed, and the
comb it contains left in, as it possesses a value well known to every
skilled Bee-keeper. Feeding when required is liberally pursued, enough
being given at once in the autumn to last till spring. The feeding-box,
8 inches square by 1-1/2 inch deep, is divided by strips of wood into
divisions half an inch wide. This is placed on the top of the hive,
covered over with a box, and the slides withdrawn to permit the Bees to
ascend to the food.