forcing artificial swarms with hives of the usual kind. But an idea
has often been suggested of having boxes so made as to be divisible
vertically into equal halves; and, in this way, to create the basis
of two distinct families without swarming. Such hives are alluded to
by various authors, and, amongst them, by Dr. Dunbar and Dr. Bevan;
but we have hitherto had no guide as to any intelligible details of
construction; and on these depends the possibility of proceeding
with advantage. My own views on the subject induced me to think
that my eight-bar hive, already described, possessed, with a little
modification, the required facilities; and, indeed, I know of no other
that could be so adapted. Moreover, as the original dimensions are
preserved, the other boxes and all adjuncts remain as detailed at p.
54, so that the hive can be used without reference to the provision
made for subdividing it; this being altogether a super-added advantage.
The chief novelty is in the stock-box, which, with its cover, is
cut from front to back into two equal parts, but so as not to alter
the regular interspacing of the bars, four of which will of course
appertain to each compartment. In addition to the usual side-windows,
there should be a small one at the back of both the half-boxes. The
hive-board must also be divided, so as to be lifted up each half
independently of the other. Cross bars are appended on the underneath
side of the boards, the ends meeting in the centre. A groove is here
notched out from the upper side of the extremities of the cross bars,
to receive a moveable tongue, as it may be called, of half-inch wood
and an inch wide, inserted from behind, and passing through to the
front. The tongue connects the half-boards together on one level, and
forms a joint below. The entrance for the bees is in the centre,--half
being cut out of each board; though, probably, some persons might
prefer to have, instead, a smaller one at the two outer extremities.
In order to stiffen and serve as a stay or tie at the divided ends, I
have found the utility of a piece of very strong tinned wire, crossing
each half-box, horizontally. All that is needed is to cut the wire
into the requisite lengths, turn the ends at a right angle, and drive
them flush into the wood; where, as they fall within the space between
the two central bars, they are not at all in the way. A reference
to the illustration will be found sufficiently explanatory, the two
half-boxes being shown a little separated. When placed together, to
form one hive, they are held in position by means of the centre-board,
covering the whole top, and secured at the four corners by means of
iron pins going down through the centre-board and the projecting edge
of the crown-board of the boxes. On the occasion of hiving a swarm,
for the purpose of stocking the dividing-hive, a cord or strap must be
passed round the whole, and guide-combs should be used; for successful
subsequent separation of the two halves depends altogether upon the
regular working of the combs in straight lines upon the bars.
It will naturally occur, that to carry out the design of a _Dividing
Hive_ every part must have its duplicate, so that four halves, boards,
&c., are necessary; each made so precisely alike as to fit and be
attached to any other half-box. We must suppose the time of year to be
arrived (usually in May) when the combs are well filled with brood,
both of worker and drone bees. In the middle, or, as some would
prefer, the evening, of a fine day, the two halves of the hive can
be separated. To effect this with as little disturbance as possible,
two _dividers_ may be used. These are made of strong, well-flattened
sheet zinc or tin, the full size of the box, in length; and deep enough
to include the hive-board, besides an inch at the top edge to spare.
This latter part should be turned back, as a rim or flanch, at a right
angle, as seen in the illustration. Commence by withdrawing the wooden
tongue underneath the hive-board, and removing the centre-board; then,
with a thin knife-blade, the half-boxes can be loosened at their point
of junction; not allowing the knife to enter beyond the thickness
of the wood. This done, gently insert one of the dividing plates
horizontally from behind, its whole length; there being no obstruction,
unless the combs are worked across the bars. The other divider is to be
pushed in in a similar way, the flanches resting respectively right and
left on the upper edge of each half-box. The latter may then be moved
apart on their boards in safety. An empty half-box is to be adjusted
to each of the full halves, when the dividers may be withdrawn. We
have thus two families, which must be moved some distance apart. The
Queen will, of course, be in one of them; and, probably, Queen larvæ
in the other, or in both halves. A little tapping will serve to show
the position of the Queen, as the bees will soon become quiet where
she is, whilst in the queenless box confusion will continue to prevail.
The latter should then be put on the original stand, to receive the
foraging bees as they return home; whilst the presence of the old
Queen will secure a sufficiency in the other hive, which may be placed
at a little distance. In about twenty-four hours, preparation will
have commenced for founding one or more royal cells, if required, in
the queenless half-hive; and thus a new colony will arise, without
swarming.[AD]
[AD] The dividing hive, and some other inventions described in the
'Bee-keeper's Manual,' may be seen at Messrs. Neighbour and Sons, 127,
High Holborn, and 149, Regent Street, London.
BEE-PROTECTOR.
It ought to be remarked that, in general, all important operations on
bees should be conducted in the middle of the day, that being the time
when it is least annoying to them, and the safest to the operator, as a
large portion are then engaged abroad. Indeed, the bees are always more
suspicious and irascible by night. On their homeward way they are not
disposed to attack, any more than they are when at work in the fields.
The defence of _home_ is their actuating principle; and the danger
arises from the bees furiously darting out on any supposed enemy, from
within the hive. Make as little bustle and disturbance as possible,
and have at hand an assistant and whatever is likely to be wanted, for
a very trifling matter will often mar an operation irretrievably. Let
all things be done coolly and quietly, and without hurried motions of
any kind, which cause suspicion and irritation. Avoid breathing on the
bees; and, above all, be careful to kill none, for the smell of the
wounded body exasperates them exceedingly: in short, the aim should be
to do what is needed without the bees being conscious of it. Another
precaution may be mentioned, which is, in operating, not to employ any
one known to be obnoxious to bees; for without going the length of
saying with some that certain individuals are recognised by them, it is
well known that, from their nice discrimination of scent, the persons
of others are objects of constant and very marked dislike.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
Security from attack, however, is essential to self-possession, and I
know of no covering so effectual as an envelope I devised of a kind of
light net, or gauze, sometimes called _leno_. It should be so made at
the top as to go over a hat or cap; with sleeves, tied at the wrists,
and strings at the bottom to draw and fasten round the waist. The
sleeves may be made of some stronger material. (See preceding page.)
The entire upper part of the person is in this way enveloped, as seen
in our engraving annexed. The projection of the hat keeps the dress
clear of the face, and it is sufficiently transparent. A thick pair of
gloves, which some think are best made of buck-skin, is all that is
further necessary to complete protection.
REMEDY FOR THE STING OF A BEE.
If attacked by a bee, the best plan is not to offer resistance, but to
walk away and thrust your head into a neighbouring shrub or bush, when
the enemy will in all probability retire. However, an accidental sting
may now and then be received, for which various remedies have been
prescribed. In the first place, the sting should at once be removed,
but without rubbing the part. My own experience leads me to recommend,
in preference to anything else, the immediate application of _liquor
potassæ_ to the spot, as a powerful alkali, to neutralize the poison of
the sting, which is an acid. It should be used in small quantity, on
a point of some kind, as a needle, introduced into the wound. In the
absence of this, _pure liquid ammonia_ is said on good authority to
succeed, if properly applied. Keep it in a close-stopped, small-necked
bottle, which should be turned bottom upwards, and held very tight over
the part. Some persons have found relief from an immediate application
of cold water. Indeed, any remedy to be efficacious must be speedily
resorted to; and particularly in the warm months, for then the poison
is much more active than in winter.
CONCLUSION.
In the foregoing pages I have given an outline of my own experience in
the general management of bees, freely availing myself of such further
information, derived from the most trustworthy sources, as seemed most
likely to interest and instruct the reader. My aim, however, has been
restricted primarily to matters of a _practical_ bearing, passing
over the obsolete speculations of by-gone periods, and relying on the
superior intelligence of a later day. Those who wish to enter more
fully into the natural history and physiology of the bee may consult
a variety of works, at the head of which it is usual to place that of
Huber; followed by the later comprehensive and highly satisfactory one,
'The Honey Bee,' of the late Dr. Bevan; both publications to which we
have often had occasion to refer. That portion of the subject relating
to the structure and arrangement of their combs and cells is treated
of at considerable length by Lord Brougham, in his 'Dissertations on
Subjects of Science connected with Natural Theology.' Perhaps the
accurate observations and elaborate mathematical demonstrations of the
noble author have left little more to be desired in the particular
department to which he has devoted the energies of his powerful mind.
With his summary of the progress of apiarian knowledge, we may not
inappropriately close the 'Bee-keeper's Manual.'
"The attention," says Lord Brougham,[AE] "which has been paid at
various times to the structure and habits of the bee is one of the
most remarkable circumstances in the history of science. The ancients
studied it with unusual minuteness, although being, generally speaking,
indifferent observers of fact, they made but little progress in
discovering the singular economy of this insect. Of the observations
of Aristomachus, who spent sixty years, it is said, in studying the
subject, we know nothing; nor of those which were made by Philissus,
who passed his life in the woods, for the purpose of examining this
insect's habits; but Pliny informs us that both of them wrote works
upon it. Aristotle's three chapters on bees and wasps[AF] contain
little more than the ordinary observations, mixed up with an unusual
portion of vulgar and even gross errors. How much he attended to
the subject is, however, manifest from the extent of the first of
these chapters, which is of great length. Some mathematical writers,
particularly Pappus, studied the form of the cells, and established
one or two of the fundamental propositions respecting the economy
of labour and wax resulting from the plan of the structure. The
application of modern naturalists to the inquiry is to be dated from
the beginning of the eighteenth century, when Maraldi examined it with
his accustomed care; and Reaumur afterwards, as we have seen, carried
his investigations much farther. The interest of the subject seemed to
increase with the progress made in their inquiries; and about the year
1765 a society was formed at Little Bautzen in Upper Lusatia, whose
sole object was the study of bees. It was formed under the patronage of
the Elector of Saxony. The celebrated Schirach was one of its original
members; and soon after its establishment he made his famous discovery
of the power which the bees have to supply the loss of their Queen, by
forming a large cell out of three common ones, and feeding the grub of
a worker upon royal jelly; a discovery so startling to naturalists,
that Bonnet, in 1769, earnestly urged the society not to lower its
credit by countenancing such a wild error, which he regarded as
repugnant to all we know of the habits of insects; admitting, however,
that he should not be so incredulous of any observations tending
to prove the propagation of the race of the Queen-bee, without any
co-operation of a male,[AG] a notion since shown by Huber to be wholly
chimerical. In 1771 a second institution, with the same limited object,
was founded at Lauter, under the Elector Palantine's patronage, and of
this Riem, scarcely less known in this branch of science than Schirach,
was a member.
[AE] Vol. i, pp. 333-36.
[AF] Hist. An., lib. ix, cap. 40, 41, 42.
[AG] Oeuvres, x, 100, 104.
"The greatest progress, however, was afterwards made by Huber, whose
discoveries, especially of the Queen-bee's mode of impregnation, the
slaughter of the drones or males, and the mode of working, have justly
gained him a very high place among naturalists. Nor are his discoveries
of the secretion of wax from saccharine matter, the nature of propolis,
and the preparation of wax, for building, to be reckoned less
important. To these truths the way had been led by John Hunter, whose
vigorous and original genius never was directed to the cultivation of
any subject without reaping a harvest of discovery."
* * * * *
In conclusion, whatever may be the degree of ignorance or doubt in
which on certain points respecting the Honey-bee we are still involved
(and these are probably not often practically important), there are few
but may receive instruction and example from these wonderful little
creatures, in the duties of persevering industry, prudence, economy,
and peaceful subordination; whilst all may be taught, by their perfect
organization and faultless adaptation of means to an end, a lesson of
humility; and, finally, by the contemplation of their beautiful works,
"to look from Nature up to Nature's God."
[Illustration]
INDEX
Adapter, 31.
After-swarms, 186, 188, 190, 195.
Ancient bee observers, 213.
Apiarian authors, 212.
societies, 214.
Apiary, management in summer, 106.
autumn, 124.
winter, 157.
spring, 166.
Apiary, plan of, 94, 95.
position and aspect, 97.
repairs of, 170.
size of, 103.
to commence, 106, 152, 166.
Apis Ligustica, 1.
Mellifica, 1.
Artificial food, 172.
swarming, 199, 204, 206.
Aspect, 97.
Authors on Bees, 212.
Autumnal management, 124.
feeding, 132.
unions, 140.
Bar hive, 54,
advantages of, 55, 69, 195.
dividing, 204.
double, 66.
glass or observatory, 72.
single, 66.
straw, 73.
wooden box, 54.
Bar system, 54.
Bars, size of, 57, 58.
Bee, Queen, or mother, 3, 4, 170, 181, 184, 186, 190, 214.
common or working, 3, 11.
drone or male, 3, 15, 16, 180.
authors, 212.
boxes, size of, 52.
duration of life, 14, 151.
eggs, 6, 10, 12, 16.
flowers, 102.
food, 137, 172.
ligurian, 1.
pasturage, and number of hives, 101, 156.
protector, 208.
sex of, 12, 17.
sheds and houses, 94.
sting, 4, 12, 210.
Bees, confinement of, 148, 158.
destruction of, 28, 149.
driving of, 152, 201.
enemies of, 116, 175.
fighting, 131.
flight of, 103.
fortification of, 117.
fuming of, 140.
humming of, 177.
increase of, 10.
longevity of, 14, 150.
number of, 11.
removal of, 100, 107, 167, 198.
to hive, 196.
to unite, 140, 192.
various occupations of, 13.
weather-wise, 178.
working, 11.
Bell-glasses, 120.
Blocks, 43, 44, 96, 160.
Box hive, 51.
Brood, 12, 126, 151, 168.
Cells, common, 13, 111.
drone, 15, 112.
royal, 4, 180, 182, 187, 195, 200, 201, 208.
Cement, 38.
Circular wooden hives, 75.
Cleaning or changing hive-boards, 165, 167.
Cocoons, 12.
Collateral system, 24, 78.
hive, White's, 81.
Nutt's, 82.
Colony of bees, 106, 152.
Comb-knives, 130.
pruning, 147, 167, 189.
Combs, 5, 29, 109, 147.
and wax, 109.
and cells, construction of, 109.
Common, or working bees, 3, 11.
straw hives, 27.
Condensing trough, 161.
Confinement of bees, 148, 158.
Covers to hives, 37.
Crown-boards, 35.
Damp, 157.
Deprivation, 23, 125, 148.
Depriving hives, 30, 51.
system, 21, 23.
Destroying of bees, 28, 149.
Directions on swarming, 196.
Disease, 159.
Dividers, 36.
Dividing bar-hive, 204.
Doubling-board, 78.
Driving, 152, 201.
Drone, or male bee, 3, 15, 180, 181, 183.
cells, 16, 112.
Drones, destroying of, 18, 19.
expulsion of, 18.
number of, 20.
office of, 17.
Duplet, 24.
Dysentery, 159.
Eggs, 8, 9, 10, 16, 151.
Eke, 25, 122.
Enemies of bees, 116, 175.
Evaporation, 161.
Farina, or pollen, 113, 168.
substitute for, 169.
Feeding in autumn, 132, 137.
in spring, 170.
swarms, 108, 199.
Feeding troughs, 133.
Flight of bees, 103.
Floor- or hive-boards, 42.
to clean or change, 165, 167.
Food, artificial, 172.
Fortification, 117.
Frame-bar, 58.
Fumigation, 140, 146.
Fuming bees, 140, 148.
material, 143.
tube, 142.
Fungus, 143.
Gauge, 57, 74, 76.
General directions in operations on bees, 209.
on swarming, 196.
Glasses, 120.
to remove, 128.
Glass or light-hive, 72.
Guide-combs, 69, 120, 206.
Hive, bar, 54.
dividing, 204.
double, 66.
observatory, 72.
single, 66.
straw, 73.
wooden, 54.
boards, 42.
circular wooden, 75.
common straw, 27.
covers, 37.
nadir, 25, 87.
nether, 91.
Hive, Nutt's collateral, 82.
protector, 41.
range, 49.
shade, 39.
stands or pedestals, 46.
White's collateral, 81.
Hives, collateral, 81.
number of, 101.
shape of, 28.
size of, 29, 31.
super, 24, 119, 176.
wooden box, 51.
Hiving, 196.
Honey, 113, 128, 175, 178.
comb, 5, 109.
dew, 113.
harvest, 128, 149.
season, 178.
store of, 132, 138.
to strain, 129.
virgin, 124.
Hornets, 116.
Humming, 177.
Imago, 13.
Impregnation, 17, 19.
Increase of bees, 10.
Italian bee, 1.
Journal, 106.
Knives, 71, 130.
Larvæ, 12.
Light in hives, 53, 72.
or observatory hive, 72.
Ligurian bee, 1.
Longevity of bees, 14, 150.
Maiden swarms, 196.
Male bee, 3, 15, 180, 181, 183.
Management in summer, 106.
autumn, 124.
winter, 157.
spring, 166.
Moisture in hives, 161.
Moths, wasps, hornets, and other enemies, 116.
Moving of bees, 100, 106, 166, 203.
Nadir, 25, 62, 87, 119, 122.
drawer, 89.
Nadir-hive, 87.
Nadiring, 25, 87, 89, 119, 122.
Nether-hive, 91.
Number of hives, 101.
Nutt's collateral hive, 82.
Nymph, or Pupa, 12.
Observatory, or light hive, 72.
Odour of bees, 194.
Office of drones, 17.
Painting, 37, 54.
Pasturage, 101, 156.
Pattern gauge, 57, 74, 76.
Pedestals, or stands for hives, 46.
Piping, 186.
Pollen, or farina, 113, 168.
substitute for, 169.
Population, 107, 139, 150.
Position and aspect, 97, 158.
Prevention of after-swarms, 195.
Princesses, 6, 185, 186, 192.
Propolis, 112.
Protectors, 208.
Pruning combs, 147, 167, 189.
Queen, or mother bee, 3, 4, 170, 181, 183, 184, 190.
cells, 4, 5, 180, 182, 185, 187, 195, 201, 208.
Queens, combats of, 186, 190.
duration of life, 6.
fertility of, 10.
impregnation of, 17.
piping of, 186.
Queens, reared artificially, 7, 208, 214.
unfruitful, 170.
Range for Lives, 49.
Remedy for the sting of a bee, 210.
Removal of bees, 106, 167, 203.
Removal of a box or super-hive, 125.
Removing of swarms, 106, 198, 203.
Returning of swarms, 183, 186.
Robber bees, 127, 131.
Robbers, 134, 175.
Royal cells, or cradles, 4, 5, 176, 180, 186, 195, 200.
Screen in winter, 159.
Sex, 12.
Shade, 115, 178.
Single hiving, 21.
Snow, to clear, 158.
Song of the bees, 109.
Spring feeding, 170.
flowers, 102, 169.
management, 166.
Stands for hives, 46.
Sting, 4, 12, 210.
Stocks, 152, 166.
to strengthen, 194.
Store of honey, 128, 132, 137.
Storifying, 24.
Straw bar-hive, 73.
common hives, 27, 28.
depriving hives, 30.
Straw hives, painting of, 37.
Strength of a colony, 107, 192.
Stupefying bees, 140, 143.
Suffocation, 28, 149.
Summary of apiarian knowledge, 213.
Summer management, 106.
Super-hiving, 119.
Supers, 24, 31, 34, 119, 125, 176.
to remove, 125, 128.
Swarming, 21, 180, 182, 191, 196.
artificial, 199.
Swarms, 180, 186.
maiden, 196.
removing of, 106, 198, 203.
to feed, 108, 199.
to return, 183, 184, 189, 195.
to strengthen, 107, 198.
to unite, 192.
weight of, 183.
Tanging bees, on swarming, 196.
Temperature, 13, 83, 119, 122, 139, 151, 158, 168, 170, 177, 182.
Temperature and weather, 177.
Thermometer, 83, 163, 182.
Titmouse, 117, 160.
Top-feeding, 133, 170.
Transferring bees, 140.
Triplets, 24, 32, 122.
Triplets and Nadirs, 122.
Trough, feeding, 133.
Tube for fuming, 142.
Uniting bees, 107, 140, 192.
Uniting swarms, 107, 189, 192.
Ventilation, 83, 119, 121, 161, 177.
Ventilators, 85.
Virgin honey, 124.
Wasps, &c., 116, 117, 175.
Water, 115, 169, 178.
Wax and combs, 109.
Wax moth, 116.
White's collateral hive, 81.
Winter management, 157.
position, 158.
screens, 159.
store, 132, 138.
Wooden bar-boxes, 54.
circular hives, 75.
hives, 51.
Worker cells, 13, 111.
Printed by J. E. Adlard, Bartholomew Close, London.
* * * * *
[Illustration: GRACE AGUILAR'S WORKS]
I.
_Fcap. 8vo, Illustrated, price 5s., with a Memoir of the Author,_
HOME INFLUENCE;
A TALE FOR MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS.
By GRACE AGUILAR.
"Grace Aguilar wrote and spoke as one inspired; she condensed and
spiritualized, and all her thoughts and feelings were steeped in the
essence of celestial love and truth. To those who really knew Grace
Aguilar, all eulogium falls short of her deserts, and she has left a
blank in her particular walk of literature, which we never expect to
see filled up."--_Pilgrimages to English Shrines, by Mrs. Hall._
"A clever and interesting tale, corresponding well to its name,
illustrating the silent, constant influence of a wise and affectionate
parent over characters the most diverse."--_Christian Lady's Magazine._
"This interesting volume unquestionably contains many valuable hints
on domestic education, much powerful writing, and a moral of vast
importance."--_Englishwoman's Magazine._
"It is very pleasant, after reading a book, to speak of it in terms
of high commendation. The tale before us is an admirable one, and
is executed with taste and ability. The language is beautiful and
appropriate; the analysis of character is skilful and varied. The
work ought to be in the hands of all who are interested in the proper
training of the youthful mind."--_Palladium._
"In reviewing this work, we hardly know what words in the English
language are strong enough to express the admiration we have felt in
its perusal."--_Bucks Chronicle._
"The object and end of the writings of Grace Aguilar were to improve
the heart, and to lead her readers to the consideration of higher
motives and objects than this world can ever afford."--_Bell's Weekly
Messenger._
"'Home Influence' will not be forgotten by any who have perused
it."--_Critic._
"A well-known and valuable tale."--_Gentleman's Magazine._
"A work which possesses an extraordinary amount of influence to
elevate the mind and educate the heart, by showing that rectitude and
virtue conduce no less to material prosperity, and worldly comfort and
happiness, than to the satisfaction of the conscience, the approval
of the good, and the hope and certainty of bliss hereafter."--_Herts
County Press._
II.
THE SEQUEL TO HOME INFLUENCE.
_Fcap. 8vo, with a Portrait of the Author and other Illustrations,
price 6s._,
THE
MOTHER'S RECOMPENSE;
A SEQUEL TO
"Home Influence, a Tale for Mothers and Daughters."
By GRACE AGUILAR.
"Grace Aguilar belonged to the school of which Maria Edgeworth was
the foundress. The design of the book is carried out forcibly and
constantly. 'The Home Influences' exercised in earlier years being
shown in active germination."--_Atlas._
"The writings of Grace Aguilar have a charm inseparable from
productions in which feeling is combined with intellect; they go
directly to the heart. 'Home Influence,' the deservedly popular story
to which this is a Sequel, admirably teaches the lesson implied in its
name. In the present tale we have the same freshness, earnestness,
and zeal--the same spirit of devotion, and love of virtue--the same
enthusiasm and sincere religion which characterised that earlier work.
We behold the mother now blessed in the love of good and affectionate
offspring, who, parents themselves, are, after her example, training
their children in the way of rectitude and piety."--_Morning
Chronicle._