The season of 1864 was most productive f_The apiary; or, bees, bee-hives, and bee culture [1866] Being a familiar account of the habits of bees, and the most improved methods of management, with full directions, adapted for the cottager, farmer, or scientific apiarian

pests of the apiary, and many hives have severely suffered by their

depredations. When once wasps in any number have gained an entrance

into a hive, the bees can seldom eject them, and the invaders generally

remain until they have freely regaled themselves from the luscious

store. They not only consume the honey, but cause a good deal of worry

to the legitimate inhabitants of the hive, as well as killing the

foremost defenders of it. Wasps being much superior in strength, it

requires at least three bees to master one of them.

Having suffered loss in our own apiary from the attacks of wasps, we

feel it desirable to give a detailed account of our troubles from that

cause. A Ligurian stock was besieged and worried by wasps to such

an extent, that the bees deserted it on the 5th of September, 1864.

Fortunately, the bees chose a time for their departure just as we

visited the apiary. An unusual turmoil was heard in the hive, such as

is experienced at the time of swarming, and on immediately examining

the entrance, we observed that the bees were quitting in tumultuous

haste. The usual methods that induce bees to settle were tried--amongst

others, that of throwing sand up into the air, so that it should

fall down amongst the bees on the wing; but they were dispersed in

disorder, and their flight extended over three adjacent gardens. We

only discovered the clustered bees by diligent search, as the sequel

will show. Permission being asked of our next-door neighbour, we

searched his garden to see if our bees had alighted there; but found

that they had passed over. Making a similar application to the owner

of the garden adjoining, we entered, having a straw hive in hand, but

no bees were there. After looking diligently all round, and climbing

the wall, thereby gaining a view of the third garden, we perceived

in it unmistakable signs of an unwonted commotion. The occupiers of

the house were intently looking at a particular part of the garden,

and there was a dust-pan and a key, with which the master had been

"tanging the bees," to induce them to settle. We quickly made for the

proper entrance to the garden, and soon discovered our little wanderers

clustered to a large flower-vase. Our neighbours, however, were

sadly disappointed of their prize, for the gardener had hastily been

dispatched into the town to purchase a hive for the welcome colonists.

In depriving our neighbours of a so unexpected and cheaply-acquired

treasure, we could sympathise with their regret, having been much

disheartened half an hour before at our own loss; but, of course, we

could do no other than claim our own bees. We gladly agreed to defray

the expense of the straw hive that had been purchased for the sake of

our truant swarm. After brushing the bees into the hive, and leaving

it propped up with a stick, in order that the stray ones might join,

we returned home for an hour or so, to give them time to settle. Judge

of our vexation when, on returning to fetch the hive home, we found

that the refractory creatures had again taken flight, and that all the

work was to do over again. The wasps were not to blame for this second

flight of the Ligurians; we judged that the swarm had been disturbed

by visits from a colony of bees that we discovered were living the

life of outlaws under the roof of an adjoining house. Although much

disheartened and perplexed, we at once renewed our search, and, upon

inquiry, found that the missing bees had taken a southerly course

across the turnpike road, and it was therefore necessary to ask

permission to search the gardens of the houses opposite. From one of

these we observed, on looking through the hedge, that the inhabitants

of the' next house were on the _qui vive_. On inquiring whether they

had seen a colony of bees, the wary old dame replied that she "had no

bees but her own," and added that "they were very much excited." Having

asked permission to go through the hedge to look at her bees, we soon

discovered our Ligurians on the top of the old lady's bee-house. There

was no difficulty in identifying our own bees; their yellow rings were

as good as a private mark. Quickly hiving the swarm, we took them home,

and replaced them in the hive they had quitted. It was almost destitute

of honey; but by liberal feeding, and lessening the entrance so that

only one bee at a time could find ingress or egress, we succeeded in

inducing them to rest in their old home. Thus nearly half a day's

exertion was needed to save a fine colony, which would otherwise have

been utterly lost by the power of the relentless wasps.

Much watchfulness is needed to prevent the loss of swarms, and the

foregoing incident may serve to suggest the necessity of having

hives so located as to be constantly within view, either from the

dining-room, or of those whose duties oblige them to be near the

apiary. If we had not happened to be at hand at the moment this colony

started, it would have been irretrievably lost to us. Many swarms and

colonies are lost, simply because the departure takes place without

anyone witnessing it. Let us hope that runaway bees may always fall

into the hands of those who are as capable of taking care of them as

our neighbours appeared to be on the occasion we have described.

Other formidable enemies of bees are moths. These insects are creatures

of the night, as the wasps are of the day, and they make their way

into the hives under cover of darkness, in spite of the bee-sentinels.

They deposit their eggs in any crevices in or near the hive that they

can find. There the warmth of the hive, or of the sheltered situation,

causes the eggs speedily, to hatch, and then the maggots soon work

their way to the comb and larvæ food, which they greedily devour,

thereby often bringing about the gradual but certain destruction of

the whole community of bees. The best method of, keeping moths outside

the hives is to lessen the entrance, as before alluded to. Also, in

the early spring, the hives should be lifted from their floor-boards,

which must then be made thoroughly clean; and all crevices and corners

about the hive and stand should be scraped, so as to get rid of all

eggs of moths and other insects before the warm weather hatches them

or enables them to do mischief. The bee-moth is not so troublesome

in England as it is in America and some parts of Germany; but still

its encroachments should be carefully guarded against in this country,

for if not, it may easily increase to a very serious extent. In the

season of 1865, wasps were as few as they were numerous the preceding

year; their paucity was attributable either to frosts in May or to

heavy rains in June, which destroyed them in their nests. In general,

wasps are great depredators of wall-fruit, but, in the autumn before

mentioned, the bees occupied the wasps' foraging-ground. Perhaps

never in the memory of bee-keepers did bees feast upon fruit in the

same manner. Various reasons have been assigned for this unusual

occurrence; some thought that as there were so few wasps the bees were

unmolested, and enjoyed the saccharine matter in the fruit without let

or hindrance--for bees are about as partial to the company of wasps

as mice are to that of rats. Other bee-keepers remarked the sudden

and early termination of the honey-gathering, and conjectured that

the bees, being anxious to make up their winter store, endeavoured to

bring home nectar from the fruit because the weather was unusually

fine. There was one feature which is worth remarking: as far as our

observation extended, the bees did not, like the wasps, break the skin

of sound fruit, but were satisfied with lapping the juice of the ripe

fruit that had the skin already broken.

An unusual amount of robbing and fighting occurred in the autumn of

1865; the weather remaining fine and warm, and the honey having all but

ceased in the flowers, the bees began to assail each other's hives,

as usual, the strong attacking the weak. In most years, this spirit

of depredation exists, and the bee-keeper should be on his guard not

to tempt the avarice of bees' by exposing honey, either in the comb

or liquid, and also to be very tardy of opening bar and frame hives

at this time of year. If needful to do so (soon after sunrise is the

safest, because there will be few bees about), take the hive to a quiet

corner of the garden, many yards away from the other hives, and do what

is requisite speedily, so as not to expose the honey to the scent of

a host of robbers, who will most unceremoniously pillage, and cause a

terrible commotion. This caution will also be necessary to be kept in

view when removing supers. In fact, many liberties that may be taken

with bees when they are busy in the gathering season will most wofully

disturb an apiary in August or September; and this plundering spirit

may exist even in October.[27]

[Footnote 27: In the spring of the year, great care is also needful as

regards feeding and in opening hives.]

DRAINING HONEY FROM THE COMBS.

Those of our readers who prefer eating "run honey" to honey in the

comb may be glad of some instruction as to the best way of separating

the two. For this purpose, it is better to let the honey run without

squeezing, in order to preserve both its transparency and flavour.

Take a sharp knife, and slice the combs on both sides, keeping the

knife parallel with the partition wall, so that every cell may be laid

open. Place these broken combs in a sieve, or on a piece of muslin

stretched across and tied round the opening of a pan or large-mouthed

jar. Allow the honey to flow out of the combs spontaneously, and

reserve the squeezing process for a separate jar, so that the honey of

the first drained jar may be perfectly pure, both in appearance and

flavour. That which has pressure put on it will be waxy in flavour and

thick. Some persons recommend that the opened combs be placed in the

sun, as the heat will cause the honey to run more freely. The great

disadvantage of this is, the temptation the honey offers to bees,

who will be eager to gain a share. Honey, whilst in the combs, keeps

remarkably well when left in the supers; if cut out, the combs should

be folded in writing-paper, and sealed up, so as to effectually prevent

the free entrance of air: they should then be placed in a warm, dry

closet.

Honey, like most vegetable products, should be fresh every year. It

may easily be kept from one season to another; but when kept beyond

that time, unless very carefully stored in a warm temperature, it will

crystallize in the comb, and it is liable to ferment when in jars

separated from the comb.

DISEASES OF BEES.

Dysentery is a disease produced either by long confinement, by

dampness, or by feeding in the winter. The first thing bees do when

disturbed is to fill themselves with food, so that in winter weather,

when they cannot get out to void their fæces, hives should not be

meddled with, otherwise the complaint may be brought on. It is also

engendered in many instances by the state of the weather in winter

months, and is indicated by the yellow colour of the excrement, and

by its being voided upon the floors and at the entrance of the hives,

which bees in a healthy state generally keep clean. All, that can

be done for them when affected is to well clean or to change the

floor-board, and so produce cleanliness. Having made some remarks on

this disease at page 214, in connection with bees sent to Australia, we

will pass on to the more formidable, but happily less common, malady of

"foul brood."

This disease does not attack the bees themselves, but affects the

larvæ, by causing them to putrefy in the cells, thus destroying all

hope of the rising generation. Bees are exceedingly fond of their

young, and are greatly dispirited when their hives are in this plight.

In common with most pestilential disorders, no satisfactory cause is

assigned for its first appearance. Some apiarians contend, that "foul

brood" is another name for chilled, brood; others, that the queen, by a

freak of nature, deposits some of her eggs the wrong way upwards, and

that these putrefy in the cells and contaminate the others. Whatever

may be the origin, one thing is very certain, "it is catching;" there

is, however, in the circumstance of the adult bees and of those about

emerging from the cells not being injuriously affected thereby, a great

help to its eradication, as will presently be shown.

There are two kinds of foul brood--one is moist and fœtid, the other is

dry and not contagious, the brood merely drying up in the cells, and,

from its partial character, is probably within the power of the bees

themselves to overcome. In the former, instead of drying up, the brood

remains dark and slimy in the cells, and emits a most unpleasant odour,

perceptible at some distance from the hive.

In the year 1848, Pastor Dzierzon lost a large number of stocks from

this disease; he, however, was enabled to banish it from his apiary,

and communicated to a German bee-journal very wholesome advice, which

Mr. Langstroth quotes, and from which we make an extract:--"When the

malady makes its appearance in only two or three of the colonies, and

is discovered early (which may readily be done in hives having movable

combs), it can be arrested and cured without damage or diminution of

profit. _To prevent the disease from spreading in a colony, there is

no more reliable and efficient process_ THAN TO STOP THE PRODUCTION

OF BROOD; for where no brood exists, none can perish or putrefy. The

disease is thus deprived both of its aliment and its subjects. The

healthy brood will mature and emerge in due time, and the putrid matter

remaining in a few cells will dry up and be removed by the workers. All

this will certainly result _from a well-timed removal of the queen_

from such colonies. If such removal becomes necessary in the spring or

early part of the summer, a supernumerary queen is thereby obtained,

by means of which an artificial colony may be started, which will

certainly be healthy if the bees and brood used be taken from healthy

colonies. Should the removal be made in the latter part of summer, the

useless production of brood will at once be stopped and an unnecessary

consumption of honey prevented. Thus, in either case, we are gainers by

the operation."

In cases where the disease assumes a more malignant character--in

other words, "has got ahead," through "not being nipped in the

bud,"--it will be well to take notice of another quotation from Mr.

Langstroth's book:--"In the spring or summer, when the weather is fine

and pasturage abounds, the following cure is recommended by a German

apiarian:--'Drive out the bees into any clean, hive, and shut them up

in a dark place without food for twenty-four hours; prepare for them

a clean hive, properly fitted up with comb from healthy colonies;

transfer the bees into it, and confine them two days longer, feeding

them with pure honey.'"

Mr. Woodbury's apiary was severely attacked by this disease in the

spring and summer of 1863. The writer happened to be on a visit to

him at this juncture, and witnessed him withdrawing infected combs

from hives that were literally masses of corruption, the brood-cells

of which, on being opened with a pointed instrument, revealed the

dark brown slimy matter before alluded to, and from which arose a

most unpleasant smell. Mr. Woodbury communicated to the _Journal of

Horticulture_, of July 21, 1863, an exact and graphic account of his

misfortunes, headed "A Dwindling Apiary." Finding that the removal of

the putrid matter must be simultaneously effected and the bees driven

out and placed in hives that had undergone a complete purification,

Mr. Woodbury set about endeavouring to accomplish his object, and

was so far successful, that he was able to furnish an article to the

before-named journal of August 4th, under the more cheerful title

of "Convalescent," in which he says: "First, let me indorse the

opinions both of Dzierzon and Rothe, that, except under very especial

circumstances, it is unadvisable to attempt the cure of a foul-breeding

stock: better, far better, to consign its inhabitants to the brimstone

pit; the hive itself, if a straw one, to the flames; the comb to the

melting pot; and appropriate the honey to any purpose, except that of

feeding bees."

Mr. Woodbury further says: "Before starting, it was requisite to insure

the transfer of the bees to unpolluted hives; and here I found that

Dzierzon declares that every hive that has contained a foul-breeding

colony should be exposed to the sun and air for two years before

being re-stocked. In my own case, this was simply impossible, and I

therefore adopted the practice of another German writer on the subject,

viz., to scrape out the hive very carefully, wash it all over with a

saturated solution of chloride of lime, keeping it closely shut up

for twenty-four hours, and then, after thoroughly washing it with

clean water, exposing it to the sun and air until the smell of the

disinfectant had passed off. This method has the advantage of enabling

one to use a wooden hive again after a lapse of a couple of days, and

is, I believe, thoroughly effectual."

Mr. Woodbury then captured the queen, secured her in a "cage," and

placed her in a clean empty hive; all her bees were brushed from

their combs into it as rapidly as possible, in order to prevent their

carrying much of the infected honey with them, whilst the combs

themselves were set draining out of the bees' reach, and consigned as

quickly as possible to the melting pot. After the lapse of three or

four days, the queen (still imprisoned) and bees were again transferred

to another clean hive, furnished with a few pure combs, and in this

they were suffered to remain, their queen being released in a day or

two, as soon as they appeared contentedly settled. Mr. Woodbury gives

another important hint that operations of this kind with tainted combs

should be performed out of reach of robber-bees from adjacent hives,

lest they should carry the infection to their respective houses. By

the before-mentioned process, Mr. Woodbury succeeded in completely

extirpating foul brood from his apiary in 1863, and has had no return

of it since. English apiarian writers have made so little allusion to

this disorder, that some of our older bee-keepers contend that modern

hives and foreign bees have something to do with bringing it about. To

show that the disease made its appearance in former days, there is a

chapter on this subject in Bonner's "Bee-Keeper's Companion," published

at Berwick, in 1798, entitled, "An uncommon Disaster which sometimes,

though rarely, happens to Bees," which Mr. Woodbury quotes at length

in the _Journal of Horticulture_. Bonner, after recounting therein

his observations of the dwindling state of his apiary for which he

could not account, says: "He saw plainly that the young were all going

backward in the cells, and that he looked down between the combs, but

was unable to proceed for the stench that the rotten maggots produced."

Mr. Langstroth writes that "Aristotle speaks of a disease which was

accompanied with a disgusting smell, so that there is reason to believe

that foul brood was known two thousand years ago."

When we take into consideration how sorely our farmers are perplexed

by the cattle plague, known as the rinderpest, concerning which

so many conflicting opinions exist (and the same may be said of

the recommendations for its cure), can we wonder that our little

favourites should occasionally be liable to disorders of this sort,

which puzzle even experienced bee-keepers? In the hope of allaying

unnecessary alarm, we would just add that "foul brood" is not a very

general complaint, and, so far as our observation extends, has been

most fatal in large experimental apiaries, where extensive propagation

has necessarily had to be pushed forward. With the experience and

advice already gained, this disorder may now be said to be deprived of

its terrors.

GENERAL REMARKS.

Every bee-keeper should be a book-keeper; that is, so far as to have a

permanent record of the events of the apiary and the fortunes of his

bees. A book similar to a tradesman's journal would be very suitable

for the purpose. In it he should note down the date of the first

swarm of the season especially, and those of the other swarms also;

and in autumn, the quantity of honey taken from each hive should be

entered, with remarks on the probable size of the various stocks. These

particulars will not only be interesting for the bee-keeper to turn to

in winter, but will be of practical service in enabling him to know the

exact age and probable strength of each stock. The bee-book may also be

contrived to show the total amount of honey that the bees have produced

for their owner, and the net money profit of the apiary. A simple and

clear account like this--provided, by the bye, that it does show a

satisfactory balance--will be very useful for inducing cottagers and

farm-labourers to start bee-keeping. Nothing like ocular demonstration

for this class. The "humane" apiarian will reason with them in vain,

until he shows them a monster "skep" of honey, and mentions the price

that it will fetch in the market When convinced that the depriving

system will pay, the cottager will gladly adopt it.

A writer in the _Quarterly Review_ gives the following good

advice:--"Don't bore the cottager with long lectures; don't heap upon

him many little books; but give him a hive of the best construction,

show him the management, and then _buy his honey;_ _buy_ all he brings,

even though you should have to give the surplus to some gardenless

widow. But only buy such as comes from an improved hive--and you cannot

easily be deceived in this,--one which preserves the bees and betters

the honey. Then, when you pay him, you may read to him, if you will,

the wise rules of old Butler, _exempli gratiâ_:--

"'If thou wilt have the favour of thy bees that they sting thee

not, thou must not be unchaste or uncleanly; thou must not come

among them with a stinking breath, caused either though eating of

leeks, onions, or garlic, or by any other means, the noisomeness

whereof is corrected by a cup of beer; thou must not be given to

surfeiting or drunkenness; thou must not come puffing or blowing

unto them, neither hastily stir among them, nor violently defend

thyself when they seem to threaten thee; but, softly moving by, thy

hand before thy face, gently put them by; and, lastly, thou must

be no stranger to them. In a word (or rather in five words), be

chaste, sweet, sober, quiet, familiar; so they will love thee and

know thee from all others.'"

Allusion having been made to the profit that may be gained by the

judicious management of bees, we will illustrate that point by relating

an anecdote of a certain French _curé_.[28] It is one which may be

suggestive to some of the rural clergy in this country, who might

almost as easily keep an apiary as they do a garden or an orchard.

[Footnote 28: This story, in a disguised form, or, as the writer would

say, an improved form, was quoted in the _Cornhill Magazine_ some time

ago. In transforming the bee-keeping _curé_ into an English clergyman,

the effect was cleverly enhanced, especially as to the dismay of the

decorous English prelate in hearing that his poor brother in the Church

had turned "manufacturer;" but then the _vraisemblance_ of the story,

as we have it, was destroyed.]

A good French bishop, in paying his annual visit to his clergy, was

very much afflicted by the representations they made to him of their

extreme poverty, which, indeed, the appearance of their houses and

families corroborated. Deploring the sad state of things which had

reduced them to such a condition, he arrived at the house of a curate,

who, living amongst a poorer set of parishioners than any he had yet

visited, would, he feared, be in a still more woful plight than the

rest. Contrary, however, to his expectations, he found the appearance

of this remote parsonage to be superior to those he had already

visited. Everything about the house wore the aspect of comfort and

plenty. The good bishop was amazed. "How is this, my friend?" said he;

"you are the first pastor I have met with having a cheerful face and a

plentiful board! Have you any income independent of your cure?" "Yes,

sire," said the pastor, "I have: my family would starve on the pittance

I receive from the poor people that I instruct. If you will walk into

the garden, I will show you the stock that yields me such excellent

interest." On going into the garden, he showed the bishop a long range

of bee-hives. "There," said he, "is the bank from which I draw an

annual dividend, and it is one that never stops payment." His harvest

of honey enabled him almost to dispense with the use of sugar, leaving

him a considerable quantify for disposal in the market; of the coarser

portions he made a tolerable substitute for wine, and the sale of the

wax nearly paid his shoemaker's bill. Ever afterwards, when any of the

clergy complained to the bishop of poverty, he would say to them, "Keep

bees! keep bees!" In this succinct advice--extending it to laity as

well as clergy in rural districts--we heartily join, believing that in

this country a ten-fold greater number of hives might be successfully

kept than are now established.

In a very practical sense, the oft-repeated lines of Gray are strictly

true:--

"Full many a flower is born to blush unseen.

And _waste_ its sweetness on the desert air."

An apiary in the garden of every village clergyman would afford the

means of economising this unclaimed bounty of Providence.

An amusing, instance of the fondness of bears for honey is related by a

Muscovite ambassador to Rome, in the "Feminine Monarchie; written out

of Experience by Charles Butler. Printed in the Year 1609,"--a quaint,

but sensible work:--

"A neighbour of mine (saith he), in searching in the woods for

honey, slipped down into a great hollow tree, and there sunk into

a lake of honey up to the breast; where--when he had stuck fast

two days, calling and crying out in vain for help, because nobody

in the meanwhile, came nigh that solitary place--at length, when

he was out of all hope of life, he was strangely delivered by

the means of a great bear, which, coming thither about the same

business that he did, and smelling the honey, stirred with his

striving, clambered up to the top of the tree, and then began to

lower himself down backwards into it. The man bethinking himself,

and knowing that the worst was but death--which in that place he

was sure of--beclipt the bear fast with both his hands about the

loins, and withal made an outcry as loud as he could. The bear

being thus suddenly affrighted, what with the handling and what

with the noise, made-up again with all speed possible. The man

held, and the bear pulled, until, with main force, he had drawn him

out of the mire; and then being let go, away he trots, more afeared

than hurt, leaving the smeared swain in joyful fear."

Bees may be very inexpensively and profitably kept in the cottager's

hive (see page 80), which will be found a very productive one. It is

true that it has not the appliances of windows and bell-glasses; for

the cottager is not supposed so much to care for his hives as a source

of amusement; his object in bee-keeping is simply the profit it may

bring. For those of our readers who wish to have united the facility,

of observing the bees with that of the plentiful production of honey,

we would especially recommend the improved cottage hive, described

at page 69. If inclined to go to a little further expense, the hives

described at pages 51, 62, 77, and 84, all afford constant opportunity

for inspection of the bees, and allow of their working freely in the

most natural manner. The Stewarton hive (page 109) is also a favourite

with those who give the preference to honey, stored in boxes, although

the opportunities for observation are not so great as with some others.

There are few hobbies which cost so little outlay as the keeping of

bees! Once the "plant" of hives is purchased, there is little, if

any, additional expense, and always a probability of a fair return.

If honey be obtainable, the bees will find it; they work for nothing,

and provide themselves, with sustenance, requiring only a very

little labour from their keepers, and that labour of a pleasing and

instructive, kind.

To the advanced and skilful apiarian we would especially commend the

use of the bar and frame hives. With these, as we have attempted to

show, the bee-keeper has a full command over his hives and bees. Many

mistakes, it is true, have been made by uninitiated bee-keepers in

using the more elaborate hives. Being struck with the remarkable

facilities afforded by these superior hives for the extraction of

any one comb, and, perhaps, fascinated with their easy sway over so

highly-organized a community, these new-fangled bee-keepers have

acquired a habit of perpetually and incautiously meddling with the

bees. The inevitable results in such cases are, distress to the bees,

impoverishment of the stocks, and loss and vexation to the over-zealous

apiarian. All these things may be avoided, if it is remembered that

there are first steps in bee-keeping, as well as in chemistry, croquet,

or cricket. In bee-keeping, as in floriculture, it is a great point to

know when to "let well alone." There is no florist, however anxious

for a prize, who would be continually pulling up his plants to see

how their roots were growing. Doubtless, the full control which the

bars and frames afford over the inmost recesses of the hives is a

great temptation to the bee-keeper; but if he yields too readily to

it, he will imperil his chance of profit and deprive himself of that

continuous source of interest which a judicious apiarian always enjoys.

Many persons who are well-informed on most subjects are extraordinarily

ignorant of the natural history of bees and the economy of the

bee-hive. Perhaps we might venture to suggest that more pains should

be taken at schools, or by parents, to inform young persons on this,

in connexion with kindred subjects. As an amusing illustration of the

ignorance referred to, we transcribe an order we received a short time

since from a seminary in the north of England. The young gentleman thus

writes:--"Master ---- presents his compliments to Messrs. Neighbour,

and begs they will send him a swarm of bees; he encloses _six postage

stamps_, and hopes they will send him a _good_ swarm." This embryo

naturalist was evidently of a mercantile turn, and had a mind to buy

in the cheapest market, for in a postscript he adds:--"Please let

it be fourpence, if you can!" We need scarcely say that, in reply,

we endeavoured to enlighten our juvenile correspondent as to what

constituted a swarm of bees, and returned the stamps, with our thanks.

Much superstition has existed, and, in some quarters, still exists,

among the poor respecting bees. If a death occurs in the family of the

bee-owner, these superstitious folk consider it needful to make the

bees aware of the bereavement by "waking" them; that is, by giving a

few raps at the entrance, and audibly announcing the circumstance.

If this be not done, "no luck," say they, will come of the bees the

following season. Last summer, even near the metropolis, we heard a

cottager bemoaning to his neighbour "his bad luck with his bees," when

the other replied, "Ah! no wonder; you never 'waked' your bees when

your wife died; what can you expect if you omit such needful duty?"

In many parts of France, as well as here, it is a custom on such

occasions to put the bees into mourning, by placing black crape or

some such material round the hives. Bees also receive intelligence when

a marriage or a christening takes place: in these cases, the hives are

draped with red cloth. In fact, it is considered an essential element

of "good luck" to inform the bees of any remarkable circumstance that

occurs in the family of the bee-keeper. How would these good people

manage with the newly-imported foreign bees, for they can hardly be

expected to have learned our "lingo"? This difficulty is, however, not

"likely" to be experienced, for it is to be hoped that intelligent

bee-keepers do not believe in such nonsense. Fancy a man in this

nineteenth century haranguing his bees after the above-mentioned

fashion! Mr. Langstroth says that "some superstitious folk in America

assert that the bees sometimes take the loss of their master so much to

heart as to alight upon the coffin whenever it is exposed." A clergyman

told him that he attended a funeral where, as soon as the coffin was

brought from the house, the bees gathered on it so much as to excite

alarm. Some years after this occurrence, being engaged in varnishing

a table, the bees alighted upon it in such numbers as to convince the

clergyman that love of the varnish on the outside, rather than any

respect for the deceased within, was the occasion of their conduct at

the funeral. Mr. Langstroth adds: "How many superstitions, believed

even by intelligent persons, might be as easily explained, if it were

possible to ascertain as fully all the facts connected with them?"

Another infatuation is, that you should on no account part with your

bees for silver money--only for _gold_. This is so far sensible, that

it ensures a respectable price. Certain credulous bee-keepers cannot,

on any account; be induced to part with their bees for money; they

will _barter_, but not _sell_,--to sell bees is, in their view, to lay

themselves open to evil fortune. If these apprehensions are correct,

our punishment will be a severe one, for we have been great offenders

in that way, and seem likely to go on sinning.

It is scarcely necessary to add that, with the increase of education,

such superstitions and fancies are becoming less and less, and will

soon, it is hoped, be ranked amongst the follies of bygone days.

The culture of bees would be greatly promoted if a knowledge of it

were considered necessary as one of the regular qualifications of a

gardener. So little time is needed to gain the skill requisite for

the tendance of an apiary, that it seems only reasonable to expect

it of a well-taught gardener, and he should feel a pleasure in the

circumstance of its forming a part of his duties. In Germany, where a

country gentleman's table is kept constantly supplied with fresh honey,

the gardeners are expected to understand the management of hives; and

in Bavaria, modern bee-culture is taught in the colleges to all the

horticultural students. Travellers in Switzerland will call to mind

the almost invariable practice of placing new honey on the breakfast

tables at hotels in that country.

Some writers on bee-culture attach much importance to the particular

position in which an apiary stands, and the aspect towards which

it faces. A southern, or rather a south-eastern aspect, is the one

which we have already recommended. Our reason for this preference is,

that we deem it very important for the bees to have the first of the

morning sun. Bees are early risers, and should have every inducement

given them for the maintenance of so excellent a practice. A few years

since, many strong opinions were expressed in favour of a northern

aspect for hives. The chief reason given for those opinions, though

very plausible, appears to us to be a very partial and inadequate one.

It was said that, when the hives face the south, the bees may, like

the incautious swallow in the fable, be tempted to fly abroad in the

transient winter sunshine, and then perish in the freezing atmosphere

when a passing cloud intervenes. But it is a very easy matter, if

considered needful, to screen the entrance by fixing up matting so

as to intercept the rays of the sun. At our own apiary we make no

alteration in winter, under the belief that the bees will take care

of themselves and that they seldom venture out when the weather is

unsuitable.

With hives exposed in the open garden, it is a good practice to wind

hay-bands round them in frosty weather, as such a protection enables

the bees to resist the cold.

When a thaw occurs, everything, both in and out of doors, has a great

deal of dampness about it. The combs of a hive are not exempt from

this, so that it is advisable to have slight upward ventilation in

winter. Holes the size of a pin's head allow of the escape of a good

deal of bad air, which is generated by the exhalations of the bees, as

well as by the dampness before referred to. These holes, being small,

do not create sufficient draught through the hives to be pernicious;

if closed up by propolis, they are readily reopened with a pin. With

wooden hives in winter, a bell-glass is often found to be useful; it

should be placed over the hole in the crown-board, with a zinc trough

to receive the condensed moisture.

In summer, bees do much towards ventilating their own stock-hives. The

observant apiarian will not fail to remark how, on a warm day, several

of the little creatures will stand at the entrance, with their abdomens

sightly raised and their twinkling wings in rapid motion, producing a

current of air inwards; while another set are engaged in like manner,

driving the bad air out, so that a supply of pure oxygen is conveyed to

the crowded inmates. In this fanning operation their wings vibrate with

such rapidity, that their shape is as indistinct as are the spokes of a

wheel when revolving in rapid centrifugal motion.

This important office entails great physical exertion on the part of

the bees, and they relieve each other in detachments.

Fine colonies are sometimes destroyed by the entrance-way becoming

stopped by some impediment or other, and care is requisite to keep a

watch, that so fatal a catastrophe does not happen, because the bees

(_unless where very ample ventilation is given_), excited by their

imprisonment, make matters worse, by raising the temperature of their

hive to such a pitch, that the combs melt from their foundations, and

the bees themselves are suffocated, presenting, alas! a most woful

spectacle to witness.

We give this hint because, having ourselves suffered from a similar

cause when workmen have been employed in the vicinity of hives, these

gentlemen, thoughtless of the welfare of the bees, but most careful

of their own convenience, placed a piece of wood across, or otherwise

stopped, the entrances, to prevent the bees coming out. In _summer

weather_ a very short time of confinement in a close hive suffices to

complete the work of desolation; but should the bee-keeper's attention

be drawn to such a state of things, he must immediately raise the hive

from its floor-board, and let the poor bees have all the air possible,

leaving them thus exposed for the purpose of affording them a chance

of revival. When bees are likely to incommode those whose duties

temporarily oblige them to be near the entrances, it is better to move

the hives a few paces (for less loss will be experienced), or else let

the workmen cover their faces with net. The foregoing remarks more

particularly apply to the summer season. In winter or in the spring,

when the weather is cool and the bees are not so numerous, hives may be

shut up even for a day or so without much _ventilation_, and but little

harm will arise therefrom.

When we send away stocks or swarms, we are always careful to pack them

so as to allow of a full current of air, in order that they may travel

even in the hottest weather.

Some bee-keepers find an adapting-board convenient for placing

underneath straw supers, as it facilitates their removal. These

boards are made of mahogany half an inch thick, with a hole in the

centre corresponding with that in the stock-hive. We do not consider

it necessary to fix cross sticks in the straw stock-hives, as is

frequently done; but if the apiarian prefers to have his hives so

furnished, there is no serious objection to it. These observations

refer to our cottager's hive (page 80).

There is another little matter of detail that should be named here;

that is, the necessity of the bee-keeper always having a common hive in

readiness near the bees, so as to be able to secure any swarm which may

unexpectedly start.

* * * * *

Here our pleasant task must close. We trust that all information has

been given that is needful to enable the practical bee-keeper to begin

business and the scientific apiarian to extend his observations. By way

of illustrating the two characters combined, we will quote another

simple idyll, by the German bee-keeper, Herr Braun, whose winter

musings we have already presented to the reader:--

ON THE FIRST FLIGHT OF BEES IN SPRING.

[_From the German of_ Adalbert Braun.]

By "A Devonshire Bee-keeper."

Hark! what is so gaily humming

In the little garden there?

Hark! what is so briskly whizzing

Through the still and silent air?

Friend, it is our bees--the darlings--

Now enliven'd by the spring;

Yes, the winter is departed,

And once more they're on the wing.

Happy he, who winter's perils

All his stocks brings safely through;

Thank Him, of all good the Giver--

Faithful Watchman He, and true.

Of my own are none departed,

All as yet unhurt remain;

Though no longer rich in honey,

Yet is spring returned again!

Come, and let us view them nearer--

Enter by the garden gate;--

So--stand still and watch their doings--

Light your pipe, and patient wait.

See how busily they traverse

To their pasturage and back,

That they may by toil unwearied

Save the commonwealth from wrack.

Look, O look, what loads of pollen

Bring they in with heedful care.

Nurslings, fear not; for your cravings

Here's sufficient and to spare.

How they dart and how they hurtle

Through the genial balmy air!

To the mountains--to the meadows--

'Tis the scent attracts them there.

There they dexterously rifle

Nectar from each flow'r in bloom.

Toil they for our honey-harvest,

For us fill the honey-room.

Yes, our bees, our darling darlings,

We salute you all to-day;

For your life is our enjoyment--

Winter's sleep has pass'd away.

Grant prosperity, O Heaven!

To the new-born honey-year--

Give thy favour--give thy blessing--

To these objects of our care.

Now let each attentive guardian

In devoted service strive

For the proud, the matron-monarch--

Sov'reign of the honey-hive.

So that we may learn by watching

Who that in the noon-tide glance,

Or in midnight's darkest moments,

Summons her to Hymen's dance.[29]

Ev'ry bee-hive calls for patience,

Whilst great Haller's lessons teach

Without patience Nature's secrets

None successfully can reach.

T. W. Woodbury, _Mount Radford, Exeter_.

[Footnote 29: This point cannot now be considered doubtful, but it must

be remembered that Herr Braun's verses were written twenty years ago.]

In conclusion, we would remind all bee-keepers who earnestly desire

success, and who hope to draw pecuniary profit from their pursuit,

of the golden rule in bee-keeping:--"Keep your stocks strong." In

exercising the assiduous attention and persevering effort which that

maxim enjoins, they will not only be regarded as, _bee-keepers_,

but, as Mr. Langstroth says, will acquire a right to the title of

_bee-masters_.

[Illustration]

APPENDIX.

TESTIMONIALS OF THE PRESS.

* * * * *

GREAT EXHIBITION, 1851.

The "Working Apiary" in the Great Exhibition of 1851 will long live in

the remembrance of the many thousand visitors who witnessed with much

interest the matchless industry of its busy occupants.

We extract the following from many notices that appeared in the public

journals relative thereto.

In noticing the hives exhibited in the Crystal Palace, I would say,

first and foremost, in my opinion, stands Mr. Taylor's Eight-bar Hive

and Messrs. Neighbour, and Son's Improved Cottage Hive, both exhibited

by Messrs. Neighbour.--_J. H. Payne, see "Cottage Gardener," Nos. 169,

170._

_From the "Illustrated London News."_

Messrs. Neighbour's Apiary consists of a large glass case, with parts

of the sides covered with perforated zinc for the sake of ventilation.

This apiary contains three hives: first, Neighbour's Ventilating

Box-Hive, containing from 15,600 to 20,000 bees, which were hived on

the 30th of April of the present year, the day before that of the

opening of the Great Exhibition; Neighbour's Observatory Glass-Hive,

containing about the same number as the box-hive; and a two-storied

square box-hive, with sloping roof. From this latter, however, the

bees decamped within a week after they had been hived, owing to some

disturbance, or perhaps to the dislike taken by the bees to their new

habitation. The Ventilating Box-Hive is in shape square, having windows

and shutters. The entrance is at the back, enabling the bees to go

to Kensington Gardens, or other resorts, when they please. Above the

wooden box is placed a bell-glass, into which the bees ascend to work

through a circular opening in the top of the square box. In the top

of the bell-glass is an aperture, through which is inserted a tubular

trunk of perforated zinc to take off the moisture from within. The

Observatory Hive is of glass, with a superior crystal compartment, an

opening being formed between the two; the bees are at present forming

a comb in this upper glass, which affords a very interesting sight,

as, generally speaking, the bees are in such a cluster when at work,

that one can scarcely view their mathematically-formed cells. A straw

cover is suspended over the upper compartment by a rope over a pulley,

which cover is raised up by the attendant at pleasure. The larger or

bottom compartment rests on a wooden floor, which has a circular groove

sinking therein to receive the bell-glass. A landing place projecting,

as usual, with sunken way, to enable the bees to pass in and out of

their habitation, completes this contrivance.

In addition to Mr. Neighbour's Crystal Apiary, he also exhibits a

Cottager's Straw Hive, Taylor's Amateur Bee-Hive, a Glass Hive, Nutt's

Patent Collateral Hive, the Ladies' Observatory Hive, Neighbour's

Improved Cottage Hive, and Payne's Cottage Hive.

The Cottager's Hive is simply that of the form we find in use in most

parts of the country, where the industrious cottagers or their wives,

by a little attention to their interesting little labourers, are

enabled to add something to their usually scanty earnings. This kind of

hive is usually made of straw, resting on a circular wooden board, with

part of the board or floor projecting in front as a landing-place for

the bees, which enter under the edge of the straw by means of a sinking

in the floor.

Taylor's Amateur's Bee-Hive consists of three small square boxes, one

above another, with a roof over the top story, the ventilation being

effected by perforations under the eaves; each side of every story

has a window and shutter. The landing-place is in front of the bottom

story, and the entrance to the hive is a long slit about three-quarters

of an inch high.

The Glass Hive, or Ladies' Observatory Hive, is similar to that in

which the bees are at work in Mr. Neighbour's Apiary already mentioned,

but on account of the number of bees at work therein, and the extent

of comb already effected, the interior perches cannot be seen. These

wooden perches are arranged in parallel lines, leaving a space next the

glass all round, the whole being framed together with a bar at right

angles, and resting on an upright support in the middle.

The Improved Cottage Hive of the same exhibitor consists of a straw

circular lower compartment, having windows and outside shutters. A

thermometer is placed just inside one of the windows. The floor is of

wood, with a landing-place and sunken way, as already mentioned in

some of the other hives. In the top, which is also of wood, are three

circular perforations, each of about two inches in diameter, above

which are placed as many bell-glasses. There is a small hole in the

top of each of the glasses, through which a perforated tubular trunk

is inserted for the sake of taking off the moisture from the interior

of the hive. Within the glass is a feeding-trough of zinc, circular in

shape, with a floating perforated floor, on which the bees alight, and

in the winter season regale themselves with the honey which is found

in the various perforations, as it floats up to the level of the honey

contained in the small filling-trough, through which the honey, or

beer and sugar, is poured. The glasses are covered with a straw cap,

removable at pleasure.

Messrs. Neighbour's contributions are completed with tin perforated

fumigators, by the use of which the bees are stupefied for a while,

when required to be moved from one hive to another, and specimens of

honey and honeycomb of the season 1850.

_From the "Express."_

Bees and Bee-Hives.--In the North-East Gallery, directly under the

Transept, are arranged, by Messrs. Neighbour, of Holborn, several

descriptions of bee-hives, which it will be interesting to many of our

readers to examine, as this branch of rural economy is claiming much

general and deserved attention throughout the country. The novelty of

these hives consists in the facilities that are afforded in taking

therefrom, at any time of the gathering season, the purest honey,

without destroying or even injuring the bees, thus humanely superseding

the barbarous and hateful system of murdering these interesting insects

to obtain the produce of their industry.

Immediately adjoining the group of untenanted bee-hives may be observed

living hives with the bees most industriously at work. These useful

little creatures have been highly honoured by the Executive Committee,

for of all the animal workers that contribute to the interest of the

Exhibition, they alone are allowed therein to display their matchless

ingenuity and skill. By a simple contrivance, the bees are allowed

egress and ingress without in the least degree molesting the visitors,

thus enabling the admirers of the works of nature to view the whole

process of forming the cells and depositing the honey therein.

Within these few days, Messrs. Neighbour have added to the Apiary a

bee-hive constructed entirely of glass, protected by a cover neatly

made of straw, but so contrived that on application to the attendant

it can be removed instantly, thus illustrating more particularly the

curious workmanship of these amusing insects.

Her Majesty the Queen and the Prince Consort, with the Royal Children,

were some time engaged in watching with deep interest the busy scene

before them, and putting many questions relating to the habits and

economy of the honey-bee.

* * * * *

INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, 1862.

_From the "Illustrated London News," August 16, 1862._

One of the most interesting and instructive objects in the Exhibition

is a transparent hive, in which the bees may be seen at full work.

Among the collection of bee-hives exhibited by Messrs. Neighbour and

Son, is one of glass, stocked with a colony of Italian Alp bees. Here

the queen-bee may be seen surrounded by her subjects, which pay the

most deferential attention to their sovereign. Through an aperture

cut in the wall, the busy throng of bees are continually passing and

repassing. They go out at their pleasure into the open court, fly over

the annexe into the grounds of the Horticultural Society and other

adjacent gardens, and return laden with sweets.

_From the "Journal of Horticulture," October 21, 1862._

G. Neighbour, and Sons, 149, Regent Street, and 117, Holborn, No.

2157, have a very handsome and complete stall, on ascending the steps

of which we found a flourishing stock of Ligurians, apparently not at

all ashamed of the public position which they occupied, and working

vigorously in the full light of day. The queen, one of the largest

and finest-coloured we have met with, was perambulating the combs

and receiving the homage of her subjects, stopping frequently to

deposit an egg in every empty cell. The hive itself was a "Woodbury

Unicomb," handsomely got up in mahogany, invented, as its name

implies, by our valued correspondent, "A Devonshire Bee-keeper," the

construction of which will be readily understood by an inspection of

the engraving at page 102. Its distinctive features are the adaptation

of the movable-bar system to unicomb-hives, by which any colony in

an apiary of "Woodbury hives" can be placed in the unicomb-hive in a

few minutes, and the use of "outside venetians," or "sun-blinds," as

they are called, instead of the usual impervious shutters. By this

contrivance light is never excluded, so that when the hive is open

for inspection, all its inmates continue their avocations with their

accustomed regularity, and a quiet and orderly scene is presented to

the spectator instead of the hubbub and confusion which ensues in

ordinary unicomb-hives. On the left-hand side of the unicomb hangs

a beautifully-executed drawing of a Ligurian queen-bee magnified,

together with the queen-worker and drone of _Apis Ligustica_, of the

natural size. Immediately under the drawing is placed a square glass

super, containing nearly forty pounds of the finest honeycomb. On the

right of the unicomb-hive is another super of the same description,

containing nearly thirty pounds of the purest honey. These supers

are, undoubtedly, by far the finest in the Exhibition, and are the

first worked in England by Ligurian bees, being from the apiary of

"A Devonshire Bee-keeper." In addition to these, the most striking

objects, are shown Neighbour's Improved Single Box and Cottage

Hives, Taylor's Bar-Hives, Woodbury Frame and Bar-hives, the new

Bottle-feeder, and bee apparatus of every description. It will be

apparent from the foregoing, that Messrs. Neighbour's stall is well

worth inspection, although the various novelties it contains appear to

have met with but scant appreciation by the Jury, who merely awarded

to them that "honourable mention" so lavishly accorded to far less

deserving objects.

_From the "Illustrated News of the World" September 6, 1862._

One of the most interesting and instructive objects is the honey-bee

at full work in transparent hives. In the International Exhibition,

Class 9, Eastern Annexe, Messrs. Neighbour and Son of Holborn and

Regent Street, exhibit, amongst a collection of the most approved bee

hives and apparatus, a glass hive, stocked with a colony of Italian

Alp bees. The hive is so constructed as to admit of easily seeing the

queen surrounded by the working bees. Contrary to the long-established

notion that the bees work only in the dark, this hive is completely

open to broad daylight. The bees do not manifest the least dislike to

the exposure, and they are not discomfited when light is occasionally

admitted for inspecting them. It is obvious that a knowledge of this

new feature must tend to a more general acquaintance with the habits

and hidden mysteries of the bee than has hitherto been the case. The

queen may be seen depositing the eggs in the cells; in this manner she

goes on multiplying the species, the working-bees surrounding her, and

paying the most deferential attention, with their heads always towards

her. Not the least interesting part is to watch the entrance; facility

is afforded for doing so, the sunken way communicating with the hive

being covered with a flat piece of glass. The busy throng pass and

repass through the aperture cut in the wall, so that the bees go out

at their pleasure into the open court, fly over the Annexe into the

Horticultural and other adjacent gardens, and return laden with crystal

sweets gathered from the flowers. The novelty of being able to inspect

living bees, and those of a new variety, as easily as goods in a shop

window, will well repay the trouble of finding Messrs. Neighbour's

stand. These gentlemen will no doubt cheerfully give any information

that may be required.

_From the "Gardener's Weekly Magazine," September 1, 1862, Conducted by

Shirley Hibberd, Esq., F.R.H.S._

Neighbour and Son, 149, Regent Street, London (2157).--This is the

most important of the exhibitions in this department. The "bees at

work" are in hives open to the inspection of visitors, the bees passing

out through tubes to the open air, and not being visible within the

building, except through the glass of the hives; The collection of

hives of all kinds is complete and interesting, and we subjoin a figure

of the stand (see page 102) to show how bees as well as hives may be

exhibited conveniently. Amongst the various contrivances exhibited

by Messrs. Neighbour, Nutt's Collateral Hive has an important place,

and though very fancifully got up, and therefore very attractive to

amateur bee-keepers, we must make the same objection to it as we have

above to other forms of the same from different makers. The Single-box

Hive, the Taylor's Shallow Eight-bar Hive, are the best bee-boxes in

this collection, and every way admirable. Here are no fancy ventilators

which the bees will close up, nor provoking side boxes which they

will hesitate to enter, and from which it will be hard to dislodge

them in order to get them to winter in the "pavilion." Whoever begins

bee-keeping with either of these will have a fair chance of success.

The most popular of the hives is that called the "Improved Cottage."

Its popularity, no doubt, is due to the compromise between wood

and straw which it accomplishes. People cannot get rid of the idea

that a bee-hive _must_ be made of straw, though it is a material so

ill-adapted for union of swarms, supering, and other operations of

advanced bee-culture. The "Cottager's Hive" is well adapted for "those

apiarians who are desirous of setting up their poorer neighbours in the

way of keeping bees on the improved system." It consists of stock-hive,

small super-hive, and straw cover, and is on the principle of Payne's,

which, has been most successful among country-people who have got so

far as to prefer keeping to killing their bees. The "Woodbury Bar and

Frame Hive" is a novel construction, combining all the best features

of the best bar boxes, and adding some new ones of great value and

importance. We recommend every bee-keeper to become possessed of

this admirable contrivance, with which Mr. Woodbury has accomplished

wonderful things in the multiplication of the new race of Ligurian

bees. In general form and proportions it resembles Taylor's and

Tegetmeier's boxes, but in the arrangement of the bars it is unique.

The stock-box is furnished with ten movable bars and frames, after the

German plan. Each bar has a projection running along the under side;

this ridge is chosen by the bees for the foundation of combs, rendering

guide-combs unnecessary. The supers have glass sides and eight bars, so

that the operator need never be in doubt when to add another box above,

or take away the harvest.

The "Unicomb," or one-comb observatory hive, is intended solely for

purposes of observation, and though furnished with doors to keep

up a uniform degree of heat, Messrs. Neighbour have found in their

experience at the Regent's Park Gardens and elsewhere, that the bees

manifest no dislike to a continual exposure to light. As this elegant

contrivance can be placed in the window of a drawing-room, it is

adapted to the amusement and instruction of the family circle, as well

as to the more serious objects of the entomologist and scientific

apiarian. All that is necessary is to connect the outlet with the open

air by means of a length of tubing or wooden tunnel, and the bees pass

in and out without obtaining access to the room, and all the mysteries

of the hive are open to daily observation. There are numerous other

hives, bee-feeders, bee-armour, &c., &c., which we have not space to

notice, but which we advise our apiarian friends to inspect, as the

collection of Messrs. Neighbour illustrates fully every department of

this interesting subject.

* * * * *

BATH AND WEST OF ENGLAND AGRICULTURAL SHOW AT EXETER, IN JUNE, 1863.

_From the "Journal of Horticulture" June 23, 1863._

A novel feature in the Exhibition of the Bath and West of England

Agricultural Society, which took place at Exeter list week, was the

stall of Messrs. Neighbour and Sons, in which were exhibited bees at

work in glass hives, and apiarian appliances of every description.

There were two Ligurian stocks of bees at full work, one in a

full-sized Woodbury Unicomb Hive, having been brought from London For

the occasion, and the other a smaller hive of the same description,

being from the neighbouring apiary of our valued correspondent, "A

Devonshire Bee-keeper." Amongst the hives exhibited, the Woodbury

Frame Hive in straw appeared both novel and good, whilst amongst the

apparatus, artificial combs, and the stereotyped plates for making

them, seemed to us the most worthy of attention.

There was a remarkably curious specimen of artificial combs, or

partition wall, partially fabricated into complete comb by the bees,

which struck us as being well worth examination, showing, as it did,

the various stages by which this transformation is effected, and being

calculated to throw light on the problem as to the mode in which bees

construct their combs. It is almost unnecessary to state that this

unique and instructive stall was crowded throughout the week, and we

hope its financial results were such as will lead Messrs. Neighbour to

continue their attendance at the Society's meetings.

_From the "Western Times" Exeter, June 12, 1863._

For the Little Busy Bee.--Next to the poultry tents, and set back

against the yard fencing, is the exhibition of Messrs. George

Neighbour and Sons, 127, High Holborn, and 149, Regent Street, London,

inventors and manufacturers of improved bee-hives for taking honey

without the destruction of the bees. The savage knows where to find

the nest of the wild bee, and how to get at his honey; but all the

improvement upon the covetousness of the savage made by the long after

ages of the world to modern times, was to find the means of luring the

pattern of industry to a convenient atelier, where he might be more

easily first murdered and then robbed. Their habits early attracted the

attention of some of the best observers of ancient as well as modern

times. Cicero and Pliny tell of the philosopher Hyliscus quitting human

society, and retiring to the desert to contemplate their peaceful

industry. The ancient poet, in his _Sic vos vobis_, plaintively sings

over bee and beast living, or rather dying, not for themselves, but

the lord of creation, yet was it left to modern times--very modern

times--to join the sentiment of humanity to the rapacity of the

barbarian. Mr. Neighbour has a very complete collection of specimens

of the ingenious and successful contrivances in the construction of

hives for the double object of preserving the honey and the life of

the bee, and also subsidiarily of promoting its comfort during its

busy and useful life. We are not allowed to forget here that we have

residing in our city one of the first apiarians in the kingdom--Mr.

Thomas Woodbury, of Mount Radford. If the bee-philosophy be his hobby,

we must recollect that all great discoveries and improvements owe their

existence to men who had the power and the will to concentrate their

faculties upon a single object. One proof of his genius in this his

favourite department of action, is seen among this collection of Mr.

Neighbour's, in the "Woodbury Unicomb Hive." It might be, when closed

up, for aught that appears, a neat case of books; but on opening two

doors of the Venetian blind pattern, back and front, we see between the

glass walls the insect city exposed to view, with all the population in

action. There it may be seen

"How skilfully she builds her cell;

How neat she spreads her wax;

And labours hard to store it well

With the sweet food she makes."

Some of the hives are constructed chiefly for the purpose of promoting

a philosophic observation of the bee's habits and methods of procedure

in his wonderful work. "Neighbour's Unicomb Observatory Hive" is

a great novelty, being constructed with glass slides, the hidden

mysteries of the hive being exposed to the full light of day. "Huber's

Book or Leaf Hive" is constructed to facilitate the object of the

scientific apiarian. But the class of hives which will most interest

those desirous of promoting bee-keeping among the many will be those

for the cottage. There can be no doubt that many a poor cottager in the

country, if he could be made to see the advantage it would be to him,

and were taught the most economical and successful way of managing this

species of "live stock," would add thereby something considerable to

his small earnings in the course of a summer. Members of Cottage Garden

Societies have turned their attention to it very generally; but to

get the thing well afloat, requires in every district the devotion of

some earnest enthusiast who will take up the apostolic rule of action

"This one thing I do." There is the No. 5 "Improved Cottage Hive," in

which three bell glasses are employed, enabling you to take a glass

of the purest honey from the hive in the most vigorous period of the

season. Then there are other hives of simpler construction and less

expensive, but all illustrative of the sentiment of humanity which

seeks to preserve from wanton destruction those useful and interesting

auxiliaries to our luxury and comfort. This comparatively unimportant

stand, in point of size, cannot but attract the attention of a large

number of visitors, especially of the ladies and the clergy, who are

desirous of promoting the cultivation of the bee among the poor. To

heighten the interest for the curious, in one of Mr. Woodbury's hives

the bees are all alive and at it, and for those who are disposed to

go further into the subject, information is available touching this

fashionable, profitable, and domesticated member of the apiarian

family, the Ligurian or Italian Alp bee. Our old dark-coated delver

is threatened with supercession, just as the black rat was driven off

by the Norwegian invader, now in possession,--as the old races of

cattle are being metamorphosed in the sleek, shapely, beef-bearing,

small-boned animals of the present time.

_From the "Devon Weekly Times" June 12, 1863,_

Bees.--Messrs. Neighbour & Sons, of London, are exhibitors of two

Woodbury Unicomb Hives, showing the royal and common bees in full work.

These hives are very ingeniously constructed, and were invented by Mr.

T. Woodbury, of Mount Radford. Among other apiarian attractions, we

may mention the improved Cottage and Cottager's Hives, which are well

worthy the notice of those for whom they are designed, and the Ladies'

Observatory Hive. The Messrs. Neighbour also exhibit Ligurian bees.

_From "Woolmer's Exeter Gazette" June 12, 1863._

Improved Bee-Hives.--At a stand near the poultry tents are exhibited

Neighbour's Improved Bee-hives for the taking of honey without the

destruction of bees. The hives are stocked with the famous Ligurian

bee. The Unicomb Observatory Hive is constructed with glass sides, so

that the whole of the movements of the Apiarian colony are visible,

including the proceedings of the queen and her court. This and some

of the other descriptions of hives manufactured by Messrs. Neighbour

are invented by T. W. Woodbury, Esq. They are furnished with movable

bars, after the German fashion. Each bar has a projection along the

underside; this ridge being waxed, induces the bees to build parallel

combs, thus obviating the necessity for a guide-comb. This description

of hive is best suited for the Ligurian or Italian Alp bee. Stocks

of this species, now so much in repute, may be obtained of Messrs.

Neighbour, 149, Regent Street, London.

* * * * *

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SHOW, NEWCASTLE, 1864.

_From the "Northern Daily Express" July 22 (published at Newcastle)._

A Model Factory.--Stand 194.--G. Neighbour and Sons, Regent Street,

and High Holborn, London. We have heard of model farms and model

lodging-houses for the working classes, but it was reserved for the

Royal Agricultural Society's Meeting in 1864 to introduce to our notice

a model factory, where we may see representatives of the working

classes busily engaged in their daily avocations. The stand which we

have quoted above may afford fruitful study to such philanthropists as

the Earl of Shaftesbury, who make it their benevolent aim to elevate

the masses, and the lesson here given from actual life will not be lost

upon working men themselves. There are several striking features worthy

of notice in the "model factory." We can clearly perceive that it has

been established on a principle which is essential to the success

of any great concern--namely, the principle of a good understanding

amongst the operatives themselves, and between them and the head of

the establishment. What strikes us in this model factory is the unity

of action which reigns throughout. There is no jostling of rival

interests, and no misunderstandings or cross purposes. The operatives

in this establishment are so numerous that we question if any one has

as yet been able to count their number, and yet all seem to be working

in perfect harmony, their joint labour continually leading to one

beautiful and sublime result. Another feature specially noticeable

in the establishment in question is the principle of subordination.

Singular to say, that while the operatives are males[30], the foreman

of this model factory is a female; but that circumstance need not

shock the sensibilities of our fair friends any more than it ought

to offend the prejudices of the sterner sex, inasmuch as the mighty

empire of Great Britain is ruled by the gentle hand of a female; and

moreover, in the one case as in the other, the presiding genius,

amid all her official cares and duties, takes care to preserve the

modesty of her sex. She never in the slightest degree obtrudes herself

needlessly on public observation, and probably on that very account

the respect shown to her by her subjects is the more profound and

devoted. There is, however, one particular in which we would take

leave to demur to the idea of this factory being in every respect

regarded as a "model." We have not been able to discover that there is

any particular period of the day in which the operatives are allowed

to take refreshments. We, in England, have been accustomed to regard

the dinner-hour somewhat in the light of a sacred institution. And if

the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society mean to set this up as

a model institution, we are of opinion that some explanation on this

point is desirable. Indeed, we have not been able to discover that

the operatives in this establishment take any refreshment whatever.

If they do, it must be "on the sly," vulgarly speaking. There is one

peculiarity, however, which must tend to popularize this institution,

and which has sensed to make it one of the most attractive objects on

the show ground. It is the fashion in all the great factories which

abound on the banks of the Tyne and throughout the country generally

to act on the principle of exclusiveness to a very great extent, and

perhaps wisely so. As you approach the door you see an intimation In

legible characters, "No admission except on business." This may be

very proper, but it is rather tantalising. In the model factory which

we are now describing all the operations are open to inspection. Every

action is patent to the eye of the spectator. This has been effected

by a skilful contrivance, and it is this contrivance, in fact, which

has entitled the inventor to obtain a place in the show ground for his

model factory, which he describes by the somewhat ambiguous term "a

new implement." But our readers may wish to learn what is the staple

manufacture of this wonderful workshop. We reply--"honey." The factory

we speak of is nothing more nor less than a bee-hive; or, to quote from

the catalogue, "An Unicomb Observatory Bee-hive," with living Italian

Alpine bees at full work; it was invented by T. W. Woodbury, of Exeter,

and is improved and manufactured by the exhibitors. As implied by its

name, this hive has one comb, so that both sides are fully exposed to

the light of day, thus allowing of an easy inspection of the queen-bee,

surrounded by her retinue.

[Footnote 30: The reporter was in error as to the sex of the workers.]

* * * * *

BEES AND BEE-HIVES AT THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY'S MEETING AT

PLYMOUTH.

_From the "Journal of Horticulture" August 22, 1865._

Living bees at work are always attractive, not only to bee-keepers,

but to the general public. Messrs. Neighbour and Sons' exhibition

formed no exception to this general rule, for their stand was at all

times densely crowded. The chief object of interest was the Woodbury

Unicomb Observatory Hive, in which was a stock of Ligurian bees, with

a very fine queen surrounded by her yellow Italian subjects. Messrs.

Neighbour also exhibited a square Woodbury glass hive stocked with

English bees, in which the position of the bars and frames, with bees

and combs, could be very distinctly seen. Both these colonies were

brought from Mr. A. Neighbour's apiary, near London. The bees obtained

egress and ingress by means of a covered way nearly three feet long,

which appeared but little to inconvenience them, whilst, being covered

with glass, it added not a little to the interest with which they

were observed. In the wall of the shed were small apertures, with

alighting-boards fixed on the outside, and although the public passed

in crowds before these unprotected entrances, no one was stung, nor

were the bees themselves interfered with or molested--a warning notice

appended to the outside being universally attended to, and a respectful

distance maintained.

Amongst Messrs. Neighbour's collection were the Woodbury Straw

Bar-and-Frame, Neighbour's Improved Cottage, the Ladies' Observatory,

Cottager's, and many low-priced straw hives on the improved system.

The impressed wax sheets, with specimens of combs partially worked

therefrom, were interesting and curious. The bottle-feeder,

bee-dresses, india-rubber gloves, and other apiarian appliances also

received, and were worthy of, much attention.

By way of illustrating the fruits of the honey-harvest of the present

year, Messrs. Neighbour had a square super of fine white honeycomb from

the apiary of our esteemed correspondent, Mr. Woodbury, and an octagon

glass super from our valued contributor, Mr. S. Bevan Fox, both of

which admirable specimens were most highly commended.

[Illustration]

INDEX.

Acclimatising bees 213, 249

Adapting-board 96, 162, 183

Age of bees 10, 11

Anatomy of bees (Plates I and a), description of 31

Anecdotes of, 240, 242, 245, 246

Anger of bees 149, 163, 190

Antennæ (Plate I) 38

---- act as a barometer 39

Apiary, best time to set up an 21

---- exterior and interior of an 138, 139

Artificial swarming 169, 182

---- time for 171

Artificial comb 157

Aspect 64, 248

Australia, sending bees to 213

Baby-bee, cradle of 16

---- emerging from the cell 17

Bar, improved 90

Bar and frame-hives 84

---- manipulation of 15

---- advantages of 168, 174, 178

---- changing after winter 178

---- recommended 243

Bee-dress or protector 27, 115, 148, 170

---- necessity for 149, 165

Bee-decoy, to attract swarms 25

Bees live in society 3

---- lesson to man 11

---- young 17

---- cluster outside hives 23

---- peaceful whilst swarming 27

---- should not be fed in winter 141

---- tempted to rob 140

---- reduced size of 168

---- at the International Exhibition of 1862 213

---- breath, human, obnoxious to 149, 190

---- artificial scent ditto 190

Bee-keeping in London 215

---- Zoological and Horticultural Gardens 221

Bee-keeping, profit arising from 239

Bee-hives (modern):--

Huber's book or leaf hive 118

Neighbour's cottager's:--

Description of 80

Neighbour's improved cottage:--

Description of 68

Care necessary to keep a good store of food 75

Neighbour's improved cottage without window:--

Description of 76

Neighbour's unicomb observatory:--

Description and application of 98

Exhibited in Paris, 1855 101

Prize medal 101

Neighbour's single-box:--

Description of and directions for 63

Keep glass warm 65

Nutt's collateral:--

Description of 51

Taking surplus honey 58

Stewarton hive:--

Description of 109

Directions for management 112

Nadir box, value of 117

Extra boxes required 118

Taylor's improved cottage:--

Description of 96

Taylor's amateur's eight-bar wood:--

Description of 65

Stand for ditto 67

Taylor's eight-bar straw 96

Woodbury bar and frame:--

Description of 84

Straw ditto 85

Glass ditto 88

Special advantages of straw 86

Origin of 86

Manipulation with 157

Super 93

Putting on 162

Woodbury Unicomb:--

Construction of 102

Modes of tenanting 106, 107

How transferred to box-hive 108

Bee-houses, advantage of 123

---- engravings of houses to contain twelve hives 126, 127

---- object of colouring alighting-boards 126

---- loss of queens 127

Bee-house to contain nine hives, engraving 128

Bell-glasses 133

Bottle-feeder 140

---- directions for using 142

Breathing of bees 43

Brood, royal 9, 175, 179

---- wire cover for (engraving of) 175

Cells, contracted size of 168

Cells, royal, _see_ Brood.

Changing old stocks to new hives not to be attempted

by inexperienced 182

---- old hives into humane ones 183

---- old stocks to frame-hives 184

Classes for whom bee-keeping has interest 1

Combs, value of 152

---- must not be jarred 149

---- how fixed in frames 160

---- ensuring regularity of 67, 90, 152, 161,

(_note_) 184

---- artificial, description of 151

---- how fixed in frames 160

Compound bar-frame 91

Cottagers, way to convince, of the humane system 139

Cover for square hives 67, 55

---- for round hives 81, 131, 132

Crown-board 34, 87

Dampness in hives in winter injurious 75, 86, 148

Depriving system, special advantages of 19, 82

Diseases of bees 231

Dividing hives, reason why they do not answer 173

Driving bees, directions for 179

Drone, description of 11

Drones, massacre of 14

Dysentery 215, 232

Eggs of bees (Plate 2, fig. 7) 16

---- how made into queens 15

---- position in the hive 16

---- time hatching 17

Engraved pressing roller 150

Entrance to hives 52, 74, 86

---- stopped, danger therefrom 250

Epitaph on brimstoned bees 20

Evans, poet of the bees (note on) 4

---- 'poetry of,' 7, 11, 12, 23, 24, 142

Evening thoughts in January 129

Feeding 54, 64, 75, 79, 140, 143

Feet of bees 42

Food necessary (_note_) 140

Foul brood 232

Frames 89

---- should hang true 91

---- how kept perpendicular 91

---- manipulation with 157

French bishop, anecdote of 240

Fructifying flowers, bees useful for 194

Fumigator box 145

---- tube 147

Gardeners ought to be bee-keepers 247

General remarks 238

Glasses, bell 133, 154

---- must be kept warm 65

Guide-comb for glasses 135

---- for bars 68, 97

---- _note_ 161

Hive should be ready for swarm 27, 71, 250

Hives, _see_ Bee-hives.

Hearing of bees, sense of 38

Honey-bag (Plate II, figs. 1 and 2) 44

---- way to drain from comb 230

---- cutters 145

---- dew 199

Human breath obnoxious 147

Huber (Francis), life of 121

Improved cottage-hive 68

---- comb-bar 90

Impressed wax sheets 151

Impregnation of queen 6, 13

Increase of bees 18

India-rubber gloves 27, 149, 159

Insects, cleansing hives from 125

Interchange of combs for strengthening weak

hives 92, 168

Italian Alp Bee (Plate I, figs. 1, 2, 3), not

all of them yellow 33

---- description of 200

---- German bee-keeper's opinion 203

---- great honey-collecting powers 203

---- Hermann's book on 205

---- introduction into England 203

---- importation of queens unsuccessful in

many instances 206

---- plan of uniting foreign queens to English

stocks (_note_) 207

_Journal of Horticulture_, 208, 217

Keeping bell-glasses warm 65

---- boxes 116

Legs of bees 40

Ligurian honey-bee, _see_ Italian Bee.

Loyalty of bees 5, 99, 104

Mortar not necessary for closing crevices 82

Moths, how to prevent 228

Neglect of bee-keeping 1

Neighbour's hives, _see_ Bee-hives.

New bottle-feeder 140

Number of eggs in the season 5

Nutt's hive, _see_ Bee-hives

Nutt, Thos. (the late) 60

Ornamental zinc cover 131

Pasturage for bees 197

---- honey yielding flowers 198

---- wild flowers best 199

Poison of sting 48

Pollen, food for infant-bees 193

---- how collected 193, 194

---- brush (Plate I, fig. 1, 2_b_.)

---- basket, 2_b*_, description of 41

Putting in super-hives and bell-glasses, 56, 64, 65, 72,

79, 81, 83, 110, 113

Propolis, or bees' cement 195

Queen (Plate I, fig. 1), description of 4

---- movements of, laying eggs 5

Queen, marriage day 7, 13, 177

---- attachment of bees to 7

---- disrespect until fertile 8

---- jealousy of her rivals 8, 175

---- dismay of bees at loss of 9

---- raised from worker 10

---- longevity of 10

---- old one goes with first swarm 22

---- leaves the hive only in fine weather 23

---- in super-hives 59, 83

---- loss of 9, 127, 174

Roller, engraved pressing 150

Robber-bees 140

Royal brood 9, 175

Spiracles 41

Spring, good time to commence bee-keeping 21

Sprinkling bees 146, 165

Stands for hives--

---- engravings 62, 69

---- for Nutt's 84

---- Woodbury 54, 94

---- Stewarton hive, _see_ Bee-hives.

Sting of worker-bee, (Plate II, fig. 4) 46, 189

---- queen 5, 8

Stocks, ventilated for travelling 251

---- why called so 162

---- best kept strong 19, 57, 117

Stomach (Plate II, figs, 1 and 2 _hh_) 44, 45

Supers, glass 133, 134, 135

---- straw 81

---- for Woodbury hives, engraving 93, 162

Superstitions 245

Swarming, usual time of year for 21

---- cause of 22

---- agitation before 23

---- usual time of day for 24

---- desirable to prevent 30, 56

---- consequence of a second flight of 26

---- how to hive 28, 71

---- means of preventing second flight 26

---- two sometimes depart from their respective

hives at same time, and mingle 27

---- care to prevent loss of 26

---- time for removing 28

---- care to be exercised with 53, 64, 71

---- first most valuable 29

---- second, cause of 29

---- how to restore 30

---- premonitory symptoms of 29

Taking honey 58, 73, 115, 163

Taylor's hives, _see_ Bee-hives 21

Thomson's "Seasons," extract from 21

Thorax (Plate II, fig. 1) 40

Unicomb hives 6, 17, 97, 102

Ventilation 51, 71, 73, 124, 249

Wasps, how to prevent the increase of 223

---- attack of 225

Water essential 200

Weighing hives, importance of 185

---- engraving of Salter's spring balance 186

Wildman 215

---- marvellous feats of 217

Woodbury hives, _see_ Bee-hives.

---- super, _see_ Supers.

Worker-bee, description of 15

---- number in a hive 15, 28

Zinc covers 131, 132

NEIGHBOUR'S

IMPROVED BEE-HIVES,

FOR

TAKING HONEY WITHOUT THE DESTRUCTION

OF THE BEES.

[Illustration]

DRAWINGS AND DETAILED LISTS FORWARDED ON RECEIPT

OF TWO POSTAGE STAMPS.

£ _s._ _d._

1. Nutt's Collateral Bee-Hive 5 5 0

Stand for ditto, 16_s._

2. Neighbour's Improved Single-box Hive 3 3 0

Stand for ditto, 10_s._ 6_d._

3. Taylor's Shallow-box or Eight-bar Hive,

complete with cover 3 10 0

Stand for ditto, 10_s._ 6_d._

5. Neighbour's Improved Cottage Hive 1 15 0

Stand for ditto, 10_s._ 6_d._

6. An Improved Cottage Hive, without windows 1 8 0

7. The Ladies' Observatory or Crystal Hive,

complete 2 5 0

8. The Cottager's Hive 0 10 6

9 & 10. Bee-Feeders each 5_s._ and 0 4 0

11 & 12. Fumigators each 2_s._ and 0 2 6

13. Honey Cutters per pair 0 5 0

14. Taylor's Improved Cottage Hive 1 1 0

With Stand, £1. 10_s._

15. Fountain Bee-Feeder 0 6 0

18. Taylor's Eight-bar Straw Hive, complete 2 12 0

Stock Hive, only 15_s._

19. Huber's Book or Leaf Hive 2 5 0

20. Neighbour's Unicomb Observatory Hive 3 3 0

45. Woodbury Straw Bar and Frame Hive

(Stock Hive) 1 5 0

46. Woodbury Unicomb Hive 6 10 0

Stand, 24_s._

47. Common Cottagers' Hive 0 5 6

48. Woodbury Bar and Frame Hive, complete,

with outside cover and super 3 10 0

Stand for ditto, 10_s._ 6_d._

50. Stewarton Hive 1 1 0

Floor-boards for ditto, 3_s._

24. Taylor's Glasses 7_s._ and 0 4 6

Payne's Ditto 0 3 0

25. Bell Glass 0 4 0

26. " 0 2 0

27. " 0 1 0

28. " without knob and flat top to put on

the table inverted, with lid 0 4 6

29. Zinc Cover each 10_s._ and 0 15 0

30. Shallow Glasses (new shape)

each 5_s._ 6_d._ and 0 3 6

31. Bee Dress and Protector 6_s._, by post 0 7 4

37. Zinc Cover 1 1 0

38. Ornamental ditto 2 5 0

39. Bee-House to contain Two Hives 4 4 0

40. " " Twelve Hives

£15. and 19 10 0

44. Bottle-Feeder 0 2 6

48. Engraved Pressing Roller 0 7 6

49. Impressed Wax Sheets or Artificial

Combs, per dozen 0 6 0

50. India-rubber Gloves per pair 0 5 6

* * * * *

Transcriber Note

The Appendix ends on page 271. However, the Index which begins two

pages afterward start at page 269. Therefore, the Index was renumbered

starting at 273. The item numbers for the Price List at the end of the

book are not in numerical order and there are some repeated numbers. No

attempt was made to correct this. On page 144, the word "bee-keeper"

in the first line of "ZINC FOUNTAIN BEE-FEEDER" was changed to

"bee-feeder".

The apiary; or, bees, bee-hives, and bee culture [1866] Being a familiar account of the habits of bees, and the most improved methods of management, with full directions, adapted for the cottager, farmer, or scientific apiarian · 第 9 / 9 章

The season of 1864 was most productive for the increase of these prime