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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b72d943 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #67538 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/67538) diff --git a/old/67538-0.txt b/old/67538-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 846e6bf..0000000 --- a/old/67538-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2355 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Bee Keeper's Guide, containing -Concise Practical Directions for the Management of Bees upon the -Depriving System, by J. H. Payne - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: The Bee Keeper's Guide, containing Concise Practical Directions - for the Management of Bees upon the Depriving System - Fourth Edition - -Author: J. H. Payne - -Release Date: March 1, 2022 [eBook #67538] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Tom Cosmas produced from materials freely available at The - Internet Archive and placed in the Public Domain. - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BEE KEEPER'S GUIDE, -CONTAINING CONCISE PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF BEES UPON -THE DEPRIVING SYSTEM *** - - - - - - -Transcriber Note - -Text emphasis denoted as _Italics_ and =Small-caps=. - - - - THE - - BEE KEEPER'S GUIDE, - - CONTAINING - - CONCISE PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS - - FOR - - THE MANAGEMENT OF BEES, - - UPON THE - - DEPRIVING SYSTEM. - - ------ - - BY J. H. PAYNE, - - =Author of "the Cottager's Guide."= - - ------ - - FOURTH EDITION. - - ------ - - LONDON: - - =T. C. NEWBY, 65, MORTIMER St., CAVENDISH Sq.= - ------ - 1842. - -[Illustration: Figures 1-7. - - Fig. Description - 1 Improved Cottage Hive - 2 Improved Cottage Hive with small hive affixed - 3 Hive showing the opening on top - 4 Small Hive with glass opening - 5 Adapter for small Hive or Box - 6 Knife for cutting out the comb - 7 Box to be used instead of small Hive -] - -[Illustration: Figures 8-10] - - - - -PREFACE - -TO THE FIRST EDITION. - - -Having written the "Cottager's Guide for the Management of his -Bees, upon the Depriving System," which has been printed under the -direction of the Suffolk and Norfolk Apiarian Society, for gratuitous -distribution amongst the Cottagers, I am induced, at the particular -request of several Apiarian friends, to enlarge the above little work, -and to give in addition a description of Nutt's newly invented Hive, -and other practical remarks in Bee-knowledge, resulting from nearly -forty years close observation. - -Should this little work be the means of inducing any person to -promote the culture of Bees amongst the Cottagers in his immediate -neighbourhood, upon the Depriving System, I shall be amply repaid for -the trouble it may have occasioned me; and the hope that such will -be the result, must be my apology for adding to the number of books -(perhaps already too numerous) upon this subject. - -Reaumur in a letter to M. de la Bourdonaye, in 1757, says, "The -preservation and also the increase of Bees is an object of such -interest to Britanny, that the peasantry cannot be too much encouraged -to turn their attention to it." Surely this is equally applicable -to our own country at the present time, when the condition of the -labouring poor calls so loudly for relief. - -I have little hesitation in saying, that Cottagers who are able to keep -from four to six Hives of Bees, may make from four to eight pounds, -yearly profit, after paying all expenses upon them. I paid last year -to one Cottager seven pounds, fifteen shillings, and to another five -pounds and one shilling for Bees and Honey. - -The following anecdote has so much the appearance of truth in it, and -is so well suited to my present purpose, that I cannot refrain from -giving it. - -A good old French Bishop in paying his annual visit to his Clergy, -was very much afflicted by the representations they made of their -extreme poverty, which, indeed, the appearance of their houses and -families corroborated. Whilst he was deploring the state of things -which had reduced them to this sad 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 still more woful -plight than the others; contrary however to his expectations, he found -appearances very much improved, every thing 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 man that I have met with a -cheerful face and a plentiful board. Have you any income independent of -your Curé?" - -"Yes, Sir," said the Clergyman, "I have; my family would starve on the -pittance I receive from the poor people that I instruct, come with -me into the garden and I will show you the _Stock_ that yields me an -excellent interest." - -On going to the garden he showed the Bishop a large range of Bee-hives. - -"There is the Bank," he continued, "from which I draw my annual -dividend.--It never stops payment." - -Ever after that memorable visit, when any of his Clergy complained to -the Bishop of poverty, he would say to them, "_Keep Bees! Keep Bees!_" - -In the words of an Apiarian friend, I solicit information from every -one who may have it in his power to transmit it to me, and on the other -hand, I profess my perfect readiness to impart whatever knowledge I -may possess in the management of an Apiary, to any person who will -favour me with the application; my aim is general utility, and the -establishment of a national advantage. - - - - -PREFACE - -TO THE SECOND EDITION. - - -Since the first appearance of this little Treatise I am most happy in -being able to state that Apiarian Science has in this neighbourhood and -in the adjoining Counties, made very considerable advances, that the -ridiculous notions, and foolish prejudices entertained respecting Bees, -are fast wearing away--that the _Cottagers_ are generally managing -them upon the depriving system, making them a real source of profit -and of comfort, and that a number of influential persons are making -themselves acquainted with the practical management of Bees, upon the -simplest and most profitable methods, for the sole purpose of setting -an example, and for qualifying themselves to give instructions in the -management of them to their poor neighbours. Nor is this spirit of well -directed benevolence confined to these Counties only, for at Oxford a -Society is just formed to promote an improved and more extensive system -of Bee management among the Cottagers by the diffusion of information -on the subject, and the _loan_ of hives _not the gift_, their cost to -be repaid from the produce, and also to promote a more extensive and -scientific knowledge concerning the Natural History and cultivation -of Bees among the higher classes; the society I find is flourishing, -a piece of ground has been taken and laid out as an experimental -Bee-garden, there is already a very considerable number of stocks of -Bees placed in it in common straw, and experimental hives. Subscribers -pay half a guinea a year, and non-Subscribers a shilling each visit -This is an example worthy of imitation. - -I am just favoured with a letter from a Gentleman who has recently -visited the above establishment giving me a certain and simple method -of Autumnal union of weak stocks, which he there witnessed, but it -comes too late to be embodied in this treatise the whole of that -part being already in the press, still as I consider the union of -weak stocks important, and Gelieu's method which I have given too -troublesome for most persons, I will venture to give it in this place. -"The process" he says, "is merely _fumigating the Bees_ for which they -have invented a tube much more simple than Nutt's which they insert -into the mouth of the hive; under the hive is previously pushed either -an empty one reversed, or a shallow box with a wide rim, this receives -the stupified Bees; cut out the combs and remove all the remaining -Bern from them that none be lost. Now take a little sugared ale and -sprinkle it over them just as they are recovering, place upon them the -hive to which they are to be united, this hive requires no sprinkling -nor any fumigation, the Bees in the latter are soon attracted by we ale -and go down into the hollow containing the fumigated ones licking them -over, the whole are mixed and go up without the least disturbance, it -is unnecessary to take any trouble about the Queen," he adds "I was -assured that not a Bee would be lost" and he further says "upon my -return home I tested it with entire success on some of my neighbour's -Bees, it was the work of but a few minutes, and not the smallest -danger. I left the hive placed upon the other all night, and the next -morning every Bee had left the bottom one, more perfect quiet I never -saw. I think there were nearly two quarts of Bees fumigated." - -Puff-ball is generally recommended being the safest, mild tobacco -answers very well, great caution, however, is required in its use, -or the Bees may be killed. Common fumigating bellows, or even a -tobacco-pipe may be used for this operation: After this discovery it -will be absurd not to unite weak stocks, or to destroy a single Bee on -taking up an old hive. - -I have always considered the keeping of Bees and the advantages arising -from them to be the undoubted privilege of the Cottagers and theirs -alone, other persons may keep a few for amusement, or to endeavour to -learn something of their natural history, but all should in my opinion -be made subservient to the Cottagers' benefit. - -The present season has been a most unpropitious one, especially in this -neighbourhood, perhaps the most so that I remember, but I am disposed -to think that this is not a favourable district for the collection of -honey. I have frequently compared the produce of my own apiary with -that of others at a distance, and this year especially, with that of a -friend upon the Essex bank of the Stour, which I assisted in forming -and have frequently visited, the quantity of honey obtained from this -is small, but it is five times as much as that of any one in this -neighbourhood consisting of the same number of stocks. - -I cannot close this preface without acknowledging the very flattering -manner in which my little treatise has been mentioned in various -publications, and my thanks to the many correspondents it has obtained -for me. The addition which I have been enabled to make to it, will I -trust be acceptable and useful. - -I still solicit information from any who will give it me, and am ready -to impart it to all those who will ask it. - - _Bury Saint Edmund's, - Oct, 11th, 1838._ - - - - - CONTENTS. - - - CHAPTER I. - - Page - - Situation of an Apiary and directions for placing the Hives - - 1 - - CHAPTER II. - - Directions for Purchasing Bees - - 10 - - CHAPTER III. - - Materials of Which Hives should be made, and the Improved Cottage - Hive described - - 15 - - CHAPTER IV. - - Method of placing the small Hive, Box, or Glass, upon the - Improved Cottage Hive, by which means fine Honey may be - obtained without destroying the Bees - - 21 - - CHAPTER V. - - Proper time for taking away the Box, and how to expel the Bees - from it - - 30 - - CHAPTER VI. - - Method to be pursued in case a Swarm should leave the Hive, after - having commenced working in the Box - - 36 - - CHAPTER VII. - - Method of uniting Second and Third Swarms - - 41 - - CHAPTER VIII. - - Manner of uniting Swarms and Old Stocks in Autumn - - 45 - - CHAPTER IX. - - Manner of Feeding weak Stocks, and the Time most appropriate for - this operation - - 53 - - CHAPTER X. - - Food proper for weak Hives - - 57 - - CHAPTER XI. - - Enemies of Bees, and means of overcoming them - - 60 - - CHAPTER XII. - - Directions for Hiving Swarms - - 67 - - CHAPTER XIII. - - Description of the Knife for cutting out the Combs - - 74 - - CHAPTER XIV. - - Remedies, proposed as Cures, for the Stings of Bees - - 76 - - CHAPTER. XV. - - Means of preventing the Bees from being Stolen especially in the - Country - - 80 - - CHAPTER XVI. - - Method of dislodging Bees from Trees or Buildings, and putting - them into hives - - 83 - - CHAPTER XVII. - - Description of Nutt's newly invented Hive for obtaining the Honey - without destroying the Bees - - 87 - - CHAPTER XVIII. - - The Apiarian's monthly manual, or dints for the management of - Bees for every month in the year upon the depriving System - - 94 - - - - - THE APIARIAN'S GUIDE. - - - - - CHAPTER I. - -_Situation of an Apiary, and directions for placing the Hives._ - -I have no hesitation in saying, that a South aspect is decidedly -preferable to any other situation for an Apiary. I have tried various -aspects, but the Bees in the South I have always found to be the -healthiest, and to collect the largest quantity of honey. It is very -important that the hives be sheltered from the wind by trees or houses, -and that they are not placed in the vicinity of ponds or large rivers, -for high winds will dash them into the water, where numbers will perish. - -It was the opinion of the ancients, that Bees in windy weather carried -weights to prevent them from being driven about by it. Virgil says, - - "That with light pebbles, like a balanced boat, - Poised through the air on even pinions float." - - =Sotherby's Georgics.= - -This is now ascertained to be erroneous, and is ascribed by Swammerdam -and Reaumur, to preceding observers having mistaken the Mason Bee, -for a Hive Bee; the former builds its nest against a wall, with a -composition of gravel and its own saliva, and when freighted with -the former article, may easily have led a careless observer into the -erroneous opinion alluded to. The Abbe della Rocca appears to have -fallen into, and perpetuated, the same error. - -Though large ponds are very injurious, a small stream is beneficial -to them, which if they are not supplied with, water must be given -them, for it is absolutely necessary, and enters, as much as honey -and farina, into the composition with which they nourish the brood. -The plan that I have for many years adopted, is to fill an unglazed -earthen pan, eighteen inches by eight, four inches deep, and square at -the sides, with water, upon the surface of which floats a very thin -deal board perforated with holes: in Spring and Summer, the Bees may be -seen coming in great numbers to drink, or rather to carry water into -their hives to mix with the farina they collect so abundantly at this -season of the year for food for their young. In my opinion, Dr. Bevan -says very justly, that "the Apiary should be near the residence of the -proprietor, as well for the purpose of rendering the Bees tractable, -and well acquainted with the family, as for affording a good view of -their general proceedings." - -I am a decided enemy to Bee houses of all kinds for they are the means -of causing the ruin of a great number of hives, by affording a home to -their worst enemies, viz. mice, moths, spiders, earwigs, and various -other insects, thousands die from imprisonment, and many hives are -destroyed by humidity. The method of placing several hives upon the -same bench is also very injurious, it very much facilitates pilfering, -and renders it impossible to operate upon one hive, without disturbing -the others. - -The hives should be placed upon separate boards, supported by single -pedestals four or five inches in diameter, firmly placed in the ground, -and standing about fifteen inches from the surface, (see fig. 1. plate -1.); upon the top of this post should be nailed firmly a board nine -inches square, upon which should be placed the board the hive stands -upon, but not nailed, the double boards will be found very convenient -for weighing or removing the hives, without disturbing the Bees. - -On no account use clay or mortar as is usually done to secure the hive -to the board, the Bees of themselves will do it more effectually;[1] -clay or mortar tends very much to decay the hives, and to harbour moths -and other insects; each hive should be covered with a large milkpan, -and be well painted every year, for hives managed upon the depriving -system, are expected to stand from fifteen to twenty years. - -[Footnote 1: This fact, though it has been denied by those who profess -to have had much experience in the management of Bees, is known to -every novice in Apiarian science, for he does not suffer much time to -pass, after having purchased a swarm of Bees, without endeavouring to -ascertain how much honey they have collected, and finds the difficulty -of separating the hive from the board upon which it was placed.] - -The hives should be placed about three feet apart from each other, and -in a right line, but should the number be too great to allow of this -arrangement, and render two rows necessary, they must not be less that -fifteen feet asunder, and those in the front row intersecting the line -formed by the hinder one. - -The boards on which the hives are placed, should be cleaned about four -times in the year, January, March, April and November, much time and -trouble will be saved the Bees thereby. - -Plants which rise in height equal to or exceeding the entrance of the -hives, should not be suffered to grow in their immediate vicinity, and -every facility should be removed by which the enemies of the Bees can -ascend into the hives. - -Still, however, a few shrubs or standard roses of four or five feet may -with advantage be placed eight or ten paces in front of the hives, for -the Bees to alight upon in their return home when heavily laden with -honey and pollen--it saves their falling to the ground from the weight -of their load, which they frequently do, and in unfavourable weather to -rise no more--it was seeing them rest in this manner that gave rise to -the following lines:-- - - Rest on that Rose's leaf awhile, thou little Busy Bee, - Thou hast winged thy way with thousands, the wand'ring, the free, - Unwearied with thy ceaseless toil in search for future store, - Thou'rt comeback to unlade thy sweets, then sally forth for more. - - Thou'st been among the flow'rs of gold, their kiss is on thee yet, - And o'er thy richly powdered wings how many hues are met, - That tell of revelling at the founts of nectar's luscious tide, - Of honey-dews that rest upon each petal's glossy side. - - Where hast thou been since the bright morn first saw thee on thy way - 'Mong scented brier and glittering heath that woo'd thy lingering stay? - Hast thou no voice to tell us of the far off verdant scenes, - Of the rich limes thou lov'st so well and of the fresh'ning steams. - - Away! away! once more thou'rt up and ev'r the leaf be still'd. - To its soft rest from the trembling that thy light form has thrill'd, - Thou'lt be again among thy loves, the fragrant, the bright, - All jealous of their hidden sweets, in murmuring delight. - - -I have always found the advantage of planting, in the vicinity of my -hives, a large quantity of the common kinds of crocus, single blue -hipatica, heleborus niger, and tussilago petasites, all of which flower -very early and are rich in honey and farina: salvia nemorosa, (of Dr. -Smith) which flowers very early in June and lasts all the summer, is -in an extraordinary manner sought after by the Bees, and when room is -not an object, twenty or thirty square yards of it may be grown with -advantage, origanum humile, origanum rubescens, (of Haworth) and -mignonette may also be grown; cultivation beyond this, exclusively for -Bees, I believe answers very little purpose. - -Doctor Bevan says: "To those who, residing in towns, may consider -it indispensable to the success of an Apiary, that it should be in -the immediate vicinity of good pasturage, and be thereby deterred -from benefiting and amusing themselves by keeping Bees; it may be -satisfactory to learn that the Apiary of the celebrated Bonner was -situated in a garret, in the centre of Glasgow, where it flourished -for several years, and furnished him with the means of making many -interesting and valuable observations which he gave to the world about -thirty years ago." - -My own experience also proves the truth of the above statement, -residing myself for four years in the centre of a large town, in a -house without a garden, I kept two stocks of Bees in my study, in -glass, and four or five others in the improved cottage hive upon the -roof of my house, and I am not aware that they have ever done better, -or afforded me a larger quantity of honey in any other situation. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -_Directions for purchasing Bees._ - - -The best time to establish an Apiary is from the middle of February -to the middle of March, the stocks will have passed in safety through -the winter, the combs are then empty of brood, light of honey, and the -removal safe and easy. Stocks should be selected by a competent judge, -as the weight alone cannot be relied on, a swarm of the preceding year -should be selected, and one that contains not less than twelve pounds -of honey; there are few commodities in which a person can be so easily -deceived as in a hive of Bees. I would therefore recommend the young -Apiarian to take the opinion of some experienced person before he makes -his purchase, a hive of the preceding year can only be known by a close -inspection of the combs, which but few persons have courage to engage -in; if the hive is not of the preceding year its weight is no criterion -of its value, for an old hive always contains a large quantity of the -pollen or dust of flowers which the Bees carry home on their legs, -especially in the Spring and Autumn, it is an essential ingredient in -the food with which they nourish their young, but good for nothing -else, indeed the Bees will die of hunger upon the combs that are filled -with it:--"Yet," says Gelieu, "they lay up useless hoards of it, -which they go on augmenting every year, and this is the only point on -which they can be accused of a want of that prudence and foresight so -admirable in every other respect." - -The Bees appear to be aware of the perishable nature of this -substance, for they never fill a cell entirely with it, but leave room -for a small quantity of honey in each cell containing pollen, before it -is sealed up, by this means the air is most effectually excluded, and -the pollen preserved for a considerable time; should, however, the Bees -be compelled to consume the honey from those cells containing pollen, -before they can make use of it for their young, it moulds and becomes -of no value, and causes them great labour to remove it. For when in -this state, they have no means of displacing it but by eating away the -cells in which it is contained, and conveying it out of their hives in -small pieces, about the size of peas, hard and mouldy. I have seen the -entrance of old hives in the month of April almost filled up with the -pellets of mouldy farina. The process is tedious, takes up much time, -and the ravages made by it upon the combs appear irreparable; still -in a short space of time, if the weather be favourable, the combs are -repaired, as if no injury had befallen them, and filled with honey -or brood. It is a very heavy substance, so that if weight be the only -criterion, farina will be purchased instead of honey, therefore in the -purchase of old stocks it will be necessary they should weigh eight -pounds more than swarms of the preceding year; in the purchase of -swarms less experience is necessary, and by attending to the following -rules the young Apiarian will not be imposed upon. - -1st. That the swarm be purchased before the 14th of June, the longer -before that time the better. - -2ndly. That it does not weigh less than three pounds and a half. I have -known some swarms to weigh six pounds, but this is of rare occurrence. - -It is very important to observe, that when a swarm of Bees is purchased -it must be removed to the place in which it is to remain, upon the -evening of the day it swarmed, for should the removal be delayed even -till the next day, the combs will in all probability be broken and the -stock destroyed. - -I should recommend the purchaser to send his own hive to the person -of whom he intends to buy a swarm, and to desire him not to put any -sticks across the interior of the hive, as is the usual custom, for -they cause much trouble to the Bees in forming their combs, and render -their extraction almost impossible. The prosperity of the hive will -much (perhaps entirely) depend upon its being finally placed upon the -evening of the day it swarmed. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -_Materials of which Hives should be made, and the improved Cottage Hive -described._ - - -Much has been said with respect to the materials of which Hives should -be made, and experience has long determined, that straw and wood are -the best. Mr. Huish, to whom I am indebted for some useful information -in Apiarian science, says, "Of all the materials which have been -selected for the formation of a Hive, I conceive no one to be more -eligible than straw." Gelieu, to whom experience as an Apiarian I -am disposed to pay the greatest respect, and whose work containing -Practical Directions for the Management and Preservation of Hives,[2] -I would recommend to every keeper of Bees, says, (when speaking of -wood and straw as materials proper for Hives) "experience has shown -me, that it is a matter of indifference which are employed; except as -to price, according as either material may be more or less abundant -in different parts of the country." I have for nine years possessed a -Nutt's hive, which is made of wood, (and which I shall have occasion -hereafter to mention,) without being able to discover any difference in -the health and activity of the Bees; but the facility and economy in -the construction of straw hives, must always be a recommendation, as it -is in every article connected with rural economy. - -[Footnote 2: The 'Bee Preserver,' by Jonas De Gelieu, recently -translated from the French.] - -It has always been my practice to paint my Hives, both wood and straw, -at least once in the year, and I would strongly recommend all persons -to do the same. April I think is the best time, and if done after six -o'clock in the evening, not the least inconvenience will arise either -to the painter or to the Bees. - -Having decided upon the materials of which Hives should be made, their -form is next to be considered; for a straw hive, I would recommend the -following size, nine inches deep and twelve in diameter, straight at -the sides and flat at the top, in shape like a half bushel measure, a -hole should be made in the top of four inches, and a piece of straw -large enough to cover it must be fastened on with skewers, (see fig. 3, -plate 1.) not to fit in but to cover _over_, the diameter of the piece -of straw being at least two inches more than that of the opening at -the top of the hive, it will be much easier taken off, and the combs -of swarms of a few weeks standing will not be injured by its removal, -which in favourable seasons should always have a glass or small hive -put upon them, the early ones especially; an entrance of two inches by -one, must be cut in the bottom of the hive, to which I affix a piece -of copper of about six inches by three, having a grove, to admit two -sliding copper plates, one perforated and the other having a hole large -enough to allow but one Bee to come out at a time, (see fig. 10, plate -2.)[3] - -[Footnote 3: Instead of two sliding plates, I would recommend one only -as given by Mr. Taylor, in his "Bee-Keeper's Manual," lately-published, -for as they cannot both be used at the same time, the one out of use is -frequently misplaced. Zinc answers the purpose equally with copper, -and is but half its price.] - -[Illustration] - -I have found great advantage arising from this little apparatus. The -finely perforated slider is used to confine the Bees to their hive -when snow lies upon the ground, the reflection of which, when the sun -shines upon it, never fails to induce them to leave their hives, and -falling upon it they perish, for a Bee becomes torpid at a temperature -of 32°. The slider with one hole only, is useful both in Spring and -Autumn, preventing either robbers or wasps from entering the hives, -for three or four Bees will, with the help of this slider, guard the -entrance more effectually that ten times the number without it. - -Although I have recommended Bees to be confined in their hives so long -as snow remains upon the ground, it would, however, be very prejudicial -to them if carried on beyond that time, for I never saw Bees healthy -and strong after being shut up through the winter. - -Gelieu says, "Bees have no real disease, dysentery, about which so -much noise has been made, and for which so many remedies have been -prescribed, never attacks the Bees of a well-stocked hive, that is -left open at all seasons, but those only that are too long and too -closely confined. They are always in good health as long as they are at -liberty, when they are warm enough and have plenty of food. All their -pretended diseases are the result of cold, hunger, or the infection -produced by a too close and long confinement during winter." - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -_Method of placing the small Hive,[4] Box, or Glass upon the Improved -Cottage Hive, by which means fine Honey may be obtained, without -destroying the Bees._ - -[Footnote 4: To avoid repetition, we shall in future use the term, -"Box," to express any receptacle employed to obtain honey on the -improved system, whether it be in wood, glass, straw, or any other -material.] - - -At the end of April, or very early in the month of May, take the -moveable piece of straw, from the top of the Improved Cottage Hive, -(fig. 3.) and place it upon the adapter, (fig. 5,) then put the Box or -small Hive (fig. 7, and 4) upon this adapter and cover the whole with -a milk-pan, to defend them from wet. A glass may be used instead of the -small Hive or Box, with equal success, providing it be covered with -something that will effectually exclude light; a cover of straw, is -perhaps, preferable to any other. - -When the Bees are beginning to work in a glass, a cold night generally -obliges them to forsake their newly made combs, sends them down into -the hive, and compels them to discontinue their labours which are -seldom resumed till the middle of the next day; to prevent this delay I -would recommend the space between the glass and its cover to be filled -with fine tow or wool, the temperature of the glass being thereby kept -up, and the Bees enabled to carry on their labours without interruption. - -Experience has proved that the milk-pan is the best of all protections -for a hive, provided it be six inches in diameter larger than the hive -itself. - -When the Box is filled with honey and the combs partially sealed, or -when the Bees are seen to cluster at the mouth of the Hive at nine -or ten o'clock in the morning, let no time be lost in lifting up the -Box, and placing between it and the Stock-hive another Box with a hole -in the top; the adapter (fig. 5) will be found very useful in this -operation. It is necessary to use this precaution at all times, but -more especially in a rainy season as a greater disposition amongst the -Bees to swarm then prevails. "Dry weather makes plenty of honey, and -moist, of swarms."[5] However incorrect this position may at first -sight appear, the attentive observer will quickly become convinced of -its truth. - -[Footnote 5: Purchas on Bees.] - -Since the publication of the first edition of this little Treatise, -many persons have said to me, "their Bees would swarm, although the -small hive had been placed on as directed above, and sometimes after -they had commenced working in it," the reason for which in my opinion -is, that the second small hive was not supplied soon enough, for the -like has never in a single instance occurred with my own Bees. I have -not had a swarm these twenty years from any of the hives worked upon -the Depriving System, occasionally I have compelled a hive to swarm, to -fill up a vacancy in my number, where the Queen has died, or some other -accident destroyed the stock. - -The population of a hive increases rapidly in April and May, and -consequently the internal temperature rises in proportion, a very high -temperature causes swarming, (Mr. Nutt says 130°) although the Bees -may have abundance of room--I have frequently seen a glass lamp that -has no opening at the top, placed upon a hive, and the result has -been that the Bees swarmed before they had filled it.--If both _room -and ventilation_ are carefully attended to _swarming may be prevented -altogether_, and that the one may be as completely under the control of -the proprietor as the other, I would recommend Mr. Taylor's Ventilator, -which I believe, to be a perfect one, for when properly arranged it -will reduce the temperature of a hive at the swarming season, from ten -to twenty degrees in a few minutes--I would recommend its insertion in -the top of the small hive, box, or glass, before it is placed upon the -larger one. - -"The Ventilator I use, says Mr. Taylor, (and I have made them of -various forms) consists of double tubes, both resting on a flauch in -the holes prepared for them, the outer tube is of one inch diameter and -six inches long, with six half inch holes dispersed over it. - -[Illustration] - -It is soon fixed down in its place by the Bees, and so must remain, -the inner tube is of perforated zinc, with a[6] tin projecting top -as a handle, and a cap to put on or off this as required. The Bees -will stop up the inner tube where they can get at it, when it may be -turned round a little to present a new surface. When wholly stopped, -it may be withdrawn from its place, and a clean tube substituted. This -may be done without the least danger to the operator, but it should -be inserted carefully, to avoid crushing any Bees that may have crept -within the outer tube, an exit to these is afforded by the hole at the -bottom. The substance with which Bees glue up all crevices and attach -their combs is called Propolis--a resinous exudation from certain -trees, of a fragrant smell, and removable by the aid of hot water. - -[Footnote 6: In adopting Mr. Taylor's Ventilator to the small hive, the -inner tube must be made without "the projecting top as a handle," and -the cap made even with the flauch.] - -In order occasionally to know the temperature of any of the boxes, a -thermometer made to fit the ventilator may be inserted in it. This is -chiefly useful as a matter of precaution towards the swarming season. - -Some have thought it necessary to cut holes in the floor-board, or have -placed drawers underneath, to aid the ventilation, but I have always -found the mouth of the hive sufficient for all purposes." - -All operations except joining swarms or stocks, should be performed -upon a fine day, about noon, they may then be done with much less -annoyance to the Bees, as well as with less chance of danger to the -operator. - -I have for some years past performed almost all the operations required -in this system without the defence, even of gloves, but I would not -recommend any person to attempt it, until he has had several years -experience in the management of Bees. - -The being perfectly defended in every part against their stings, gives -that coolness and confidence to the operator, upon which the happy -accomplishment of his intentions so much depends. I cannot too strongly -urge, that coolness and confidence on the part of the operator are -essential qualifications, for anything approaching to hurry irritates -them beyond measure; indeed whilst engaged with them the hand ought -never to be hastily removed from one position to another. Dr. Bevan -says, "quietness is the surest protection against being stung." - -The best defence is a mask of wire, very similar to, but much finer -than a fencing mask, with a rim of tin made to fit the head, to which -a silk handkerchief is attached, a pair of thick worsted gloves, and -stockings or gaiters of the same material; stout leather gloves are as -good protection as those of worsted, but leather, from the closeness of -its texture, will not allow the Bees to withdraw their stings from it -and the consequence is, that many perish. - -It is recommended to persons during their operations on Bees, to -carefully avoid breathing upon, them, as nothing is more offensive, -or more irritating to them than the human breath; this however, is -partially obviated by closing the mouth, and suffering the breath to -pass gently through the nose, by which means a full current is not -allowed to fall upon them. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -_Proper time for taking away the Box and how to expel the Bees from it._ - - -When the Box is filled with honey and the combs all sealed up, (which -will generally be done about the middle of June) it may be taken off, -or it may remain till the one placed beneath it is also sealed up, -which in all probability will be completed by the first week in August. - -Upon the very strong and populous hives, it is necessary in some -seasons to place even a third, which must be removed with great -caution, for at this time of the year every stock should contain at -least twenty pounds of honey; should however the stock have that -quantity, it may be safely removed and placed upon a weaker one, for -the combs not being all sealed, the honey therefore is not saleable. -The Box taken off, must be lifted very gently at noon, upon a fine day, -and carried forty or fifty yards from the hive; place it upon a board -or table, raising it a little that room may be given to the Bees to -make their escape, which they will do in a very short time. - -Much difficulty appears to have arisen with some persons in getting -the Bees to leave the Box when taken off, but in this as in all other -operations with Bees, gentleness is very important, indeed it is the -only means of accomplishing the end desired, and as I have before said, -"the Box must be lifted _very gently_," and placed about six inches -from the ground, or table, upon bricks, flower pots, or something of -the kind. Shaking, beating, or burning paper under it, as is sometimes -done, have all a contrary effect upon the Bees, they are alarmed by it, -and will not leave the box perhaps for days, when these means have -been resorted to. - -The box being thus placed, a loud humming noise is first heard, and -the Bees are then seen to leave it within five or six minutes, (all -except a few stragglers), but should the Queen be in the Box, (which -very rarely happens) quite a different appearance presents itself, no -noise will be heard, or a Bee scarcely seen to leave it, but the hive -from which it has been taken will in a very short time appear in great -confusion. Whenever this occurs, the Box must be returned immediately, -and taken off again the next day. - -When a hive or glass of honey is taken, it ought not to be left till -the Bees are all out of it, for it is very likely to be attacked by -robbers, thus a great part of it will be carried away in a short time, -and what is left rendered unfit for sale, on account of the cells being -opened, from which the honey will drain out upon the position of the -hive being changed. - -Robbers may be known by their desire to enter the hive or glass, the -Bees belonging to it, being separated from their Queen, fly home -immediately upon leaving it. - -In taking off a box of honey it will be found convenient to pass a very -thin knife, or fine wire, between the hives or boxes intended to be -separated; if that precaution be not taken, a piece of comb frequently -projects from the top of the one left, or the bottom of that taken, -which causes much trouble to the operator: two adapters (fig. 5.) -placed between the boxes will be found very convenient, for the knife -or wire will only have to be passed between them, and the danger of -breaking the combs will be obviated--they should be made of mahogany, -for it will allow of being worked very thin, without the risk of -warping. - -To expel the bees from the box or hive when taken off, Gelieu says, -"Take a hive or box of the same size, place it over the full one that -is turned upside down, bind them round with a napkin, to intercept all -passage to the bees, and force them to ascend into the empty box, by -tapping gently on the full one. They soon go up into the empty box, and -when they are all housed, replace them on the parent hive, whence they -were withdrawn; and if the season is favourable and the honey abundant, -they soon set to work again." - -Honey taken by this method is acknowledged to be very superior in -quality to that obtained by the usual barbarous and unprofitable -manner of burning the Bees, which arises from the combs in which it is -deposited being new and perfectly white, the early period at which it -is collected, and from its being unmixed with honey gathered later in -the season as well as from the Queen very rarely ascending through the -opening at the top of the improved cottage hive, that neither brood nor -farina are found amongst it. - -This honey sells readily at two shillings a pound, whilst that obtained -by burning the Bees, is scarcely saleable at eightpence. - -It is usual to obtain from every good stock twenty or perhaps thirty -pounds of honey annually. I once obtained forty-five pounds, leaving -the stock rich in honey. - -It is frequently asked what becomes of the Bees managed on this system, -if they are never suffered to swarm nor are destroyed;--the hives will -never contain them? To which I would reply, that it is well known -to those who are conversant in the care of Bees, that their numbers -decrease greatly in Autumn, not only by the destruction of the drones, -but also by the unavoidable deaths of many of the working Bees, owing -to the thousand accidents they meet with in the fields, and to age;[7] -a much less space therefore is wanted for them in the winter than was -necessary in the summer. - -[Footnote 7: Mr. Purchas in his "Theatre of Political Flying Insects," -published in 1657--says, "it is manifest that the Honey Bees are -but yearly creatures," and when giving the sentiments of Aristotle, -Pliny, Columella, Cardanus, and others, he says, "the truth is, -notwithstanding these men's opinions, that Bees live but a year and -a quarter at most, for those Bees that are seen in May, lusty, full, -brown, smooth, well winged, will by the end of July following, begin -to wither, become less_e_, look gr_a_y, and have their wings t_o_ttered, -and torn, and be_e_ all dead before the end of August."] - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -_Method to be pursued in case a Swarm should leave the Hive, after -having commenced working in the Box._ - - -This is a circumstance of very rare occurrence, and more especially -when the directions given in the former chapter are strictly complied -with; however, should it happen, let the swarm be hived in the usual -manner into the improved Cottage Hive, (see fig. 3.) as directed in -Chapter XII, when the Bees are settled, take off the moveable piece of -straw from the top of the hive, and place upon it the box partially -filled with honey and Bees; cover the old hive with the piece of straw -belonging to it, and the milkpan, as no further profit (except the -cast or second swarm) will be obtained till the next season; should the -proprietor be unwilling to increase his number of stocks, the swarm may -be returned immediately to its parent hive; the process is very simple, -and I have always found it succeed--as soon as the swarm is settled, -turn the hive bottom upwards, and if the Queen Bee does not make her -appearance in a few seconds, dash the Bees out upon a cloth, or upon -a gravel walk,[8] and with a wine glass she may be easily captured, -upon this being accomplished, the Bees will immediately return to their -parent hive and resume their labours; she may also very easily be taken -during the departure of a swarm, for she appears to leave the hive -reluctantly, and may be seen running backwards and forwards upon the -alighting-board before she takes wing. - -[Footnote 8: The method of performing this operation, consists in -lifting the hive gently about a foot, and with a smart and sudden jar -returning it to the ground, so that the Bees be completely dislodged -from the hive and left upon the cloth, the hive may now be removed to -a short distance, and as the Bees are attempting to return to their -former habitation the Queen may be easily captured.] - -A second swarm generally leaves the hive about nine days after the -first, but the time may be exactly ascertained by standing quietly -beside the hive after sunset, when the Queen may be distinctly heard -"to tun' in hir treble voic',"[9] which is a certain indication that a -second swarm will leave the hive. Should two or three Queens be heard -one after the other, it will be on the following day, if the weather -be not _very_ unfavourable, (for the second and third swarms appear to -have less regard as to the weather than the first.) Should the Queens -continue to pipe after the departure of the second swarm, a third will -certainly follow in a few days, but if one or two Queens be found dead -beneath the hive on the next morning, no more swarms can be expected. - -[Footnote 9: Butler's Feminin Monarchi--Edit. 1634.] - -That the old Queen accompanies the first swarm is established beyond -a doubt; that many Queens are bred in a hive, a number sometimes -exceeding thirty in one year, is also ascertained; and that the Bees -have the power of producing a Queen from an egg deposited in the combs -of the working Bees, by treating it in a different manner to those that -are to become workers, has also been satisfactorily proved, all that -has been said beyond this, regarding their natural history, must, I -believe, be considered principally conjecture. - -It is, however, says a modern Author, "not the least interesting part -of the study of the Bee, that this apparently insignificant insect has -hitherto baffled all the research and ingenuity of man to discover the -manner of its propagation; analogy presents no guide to the solution -of this secret, and the result of every anatomical experiment has -tended rather to mystify the subject, than to conduct us to the road -to truth," and Purchas, who I have before quoted says, "God humbles -us with ignorance in many things, not only divine but natural and in -common use, in the nature of Bees how blind are we, notwithstanding -all our observations and labour in the production and continuance of -the Queen Bee, in the generation of other Bees, and generally in the -forms of all things." - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -_Method of uniting second and third Swarms._ - - -Second and third Swarms, or Casts and Colts, are seldom or ever able to -collect a sufficient quantity of honey, to support themselves through -the winter, and can only be preserved by much care and expense, and -most of them die after all without bringing any profit. It is much -better therefore to unite them in the following manner:--when two -_Casts_ or _Colts_ come off upon the same day hive them separately and -leave them till an hour and half after sunset, then spread a cloth upon -the ground, upon which by a smart and sudden movement shake all the -Bees out of one of the hives, and immediately take the other and place -it gently over the Bees that are heaped together upon the cloth, and -they will instantly ascend into it and join those, which, not having -been disturbed, are quiet in their new abode; next morning before -sunrise remove this newly united hive to the place in which it is to -remain; this doubled population will work with double success and in -the most perfect harmony, and generally become a strong stock from -which much profit may be derived. - -Two Casts or weak Swarms may be joined in the same manner, although one -of them may have swarmed some days or even weeks later than the other, -taking care however not to make the first one enter the second, but the -second the first, a third and a fourth parcel of Bees may be joined to -them at different times till the stock becomes strong. - -It is almost impossible sufficiently to impress upon the mind of every -person who keeps Bees the necessity of having his stocks all strong, -for weak stocks are very troublesome, very expensive, and seldom, if -ever, afford any profit. - -Mr. Taylor says, "the stronger the colony at the outset the better -the Bees will work, and the more prosperous it will become. I never -knew a weak one do well long, and a little extra expense and trouble -at first are amply rewarded by succeeding years of prosperity and -ultimate profit;" and again, "thus strength in one year begets it in -succeeding ones, and this principle ought to be borne in mind by those -who imagine that the deficient population of one season will be made up -in the next, and that the loss of Bees in the winter is of secondary -consequence, forgetting how influential is their warmth to the earlier -and increased productive powers of the Queen, and how important it -is in the opening spring to be able to spare from the home duties of -the hive a number of collectors, to add to the stores, which would -otherwise not keep pace with the cravings of the rising generation." - -It is a remarkable fact, that two weak stocks joined, will collect -double the quantity of honey, and consume much less than two of the -same age and strength kept separately. Stocks must be joined after -sunset upon the day that one of them has swarmed, or before sunrise the -next morning, and the doubled stock must be placed upon the stand it -previously occupied. Great care must be taken not to shake the hive, -nor must it be turned up, the combs being new, and tender, will easily -break, and the stock by that means be destroyed. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -_Manner of uniting Swarms and old stocks in Autumn._ - - -For this very useful information I am indebted to that excellent -Apiarian, Gelieu; I have tried it upon some of my own stocks, as well -as upon those of my friends, and have found it in every instance fully -to answer my expectations. Persons possessing these instructions should -not allow a weak stock to remain through the winter. - -The operation is performed very easily and without danger: I have -frequently accomplished it without any protection whatever, and I will -give the method in the words of Gelieu--"When the swarms have not been -able to lay up a sufficient provision during the fine weather, I weigh -them at the end of the season, and knowing the weight of each empty -hive, I can tell exactly the quantity of honey they have in store. If -they are three, four, five or six pounds too light, I preserve them -and feed them in the manner I am about to detail. When the swarms -have only about one-third or one half of the quantity of honey which -would suffice to feed them, I might keep them alive by giving them -as much more as they require. I have frequently done so, but I have -already remarked that this plan costs too much honey, and gives too -much trouble: and, therefore, I generally join them into one. For this -purpose, I leave the heaviest swarm untouched, and, in the morning of -a fine day in September, or the beginning of October, I commence by -blowing a few whiffs of tobacco-smoke with my pipe in at the door of -the hive of the lightest swarm, to disperse the sentinels; then turning -up the hive, and placing it on its top on the ground, I give it a -little more smoke, to prevent the Bees from becoming irritated, and to -force them to retire within the combs--I proceed to cut out all the -combs in succession, beginning with the smallest, sweeping the Bees -with a feather off each piece back into the hive; and then I place the -combs, one after another, into a large dish beside me, keeping it, at -the same time, carefully covered over with a napkin, or small table -cloth, to prevent the Bees returning to their combs, or the smell of -the honey attracting others that may be flying about. The last comb is -the most difficult to come at, being completely covered over with Bees. -I detach it, however, in the same way as the others, but with greater -precaution, sweeping the Bees off very gently with the feather until -there is not one left on it. This operation, I perform without gloves, -or any other protection, armed only with my pipe; and, for ten times -that I treat them after this fashion, I seldom receive one sting, even -when I act unassisted. - -The combs being all removed, the swarm remains as completely destitute -of food as it was on the day of its emigration, and I replace it on -its board in the same spot it occupied when full, and leave it till -the evening, by which time the Bees will be clustered together like a -new swarm. During the whole of the day, which I shall suppose to be -fine, they occupy themselves with great earnestness cleansing their -house, and making such a noise in removing the little fragments of wax -that have fallen on the board, that any one who did not know it had -been emptied, would take it for the best and strongest of the hives. -Before night, when they are all quiet, I throw a few whiffs of smoke -in at the door of the hive which I mean my deprived swarm to enter, -and which should be its next neighbour, on the right hand or the left; -then, turning it up and resting it on the ground, I sprinkle it all -over with honey, especially between the combs where I perceive the -greatest number of Bees: five or six table-spoonfuls generally suffice; -at other times three or four times as many are required. If too little -were given, the new comers might not be well received; there might be -some fighting; and, by giving too much, we run the risk of drowning -them.--One should cease the sprinkling when the Bees begin to climb -up above the combs, and shelter themselves on the sides of the hive, -this done, I replace the hive on its board, which should jut out about -seven or eight inches, raising the hive up in the front with two little -bits of stick, so as to leave a division of an inch between it and the -boards to give free access to the Bees. I also spread a table cloth -upon the ground before it, raising and fixing one end of it on the -boards by means of two bits of stick, that are placed as a temporary -support to the hive. I then take the hive that was deprived of its -combs in the morning, and with one shake, throw the Bees out of it upon -the table-cloth, which they instantly begin to ascend; while, by the -help of a long wooden spoon, I guide them to the door of the one that -is placed for their reception. A few spoonfuls of the Bees raised and -laid down at the door of the hive will set the example, they enter at -once, and the others follow quickly flapping their wings and sipping -with delight the drops of honey that come in their way, or officiously -licking and cleaning those first inhabitants that have received the -sprinkling, and with whom they mingle and live henceforth on good -terms, one division of the new comers always cluster on the front of -the hive, which they enter during the night without disturbance, much -pleased to join their companions. - -Next morning, early, it is necessary to take away the table-cloth and -the bits of stick that were placed to raise up the hive and facilitate -the entrance of the bees, and for some days the door should be left -open as wide as possible. The hive should also be moved a little to the -right or left, that it may stand precisely in the centre of the place -they both occupied before the union. - -I have frequently united three swarms in the same manner, and with the -same success, taking care only to empty in the morning those on each -side, and to make the bees enter the middle one in the evening, after -it has been sprinkled with honey. In this case I do not remove the one -that unites the three swarms." - -I have adhered strictly to these directions except in "raising and -fixing the table-cloth to the board,"--making the bees ascend, I have -always found to be a slow process, but placing the hive they are to -join over them when heaped upon the cloth, is much quicker and equally -successful. - -Old stocks that are rendered weak by swarming, or by having too much -honey taken from them, may be united in the same manner, with this -difference only, that double the quantity of honey should be used in -sprinkling. - -If a stock of Bees containing fifteen or twenty pounds of honey in -September, be carefully managed during the winter, which consists in -narrowing the entrance to exclude robbers, carefully covering the hive -with a milk-pan, and raising it from the board every month or six weeks -to clean it, no doubt can be entertained to its affording a good box of -honey. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -_Manner of feeding weak Stocks, and the time most appropriate for this -operation._ - - -Autumn and Spring are the most proper seasons for supplying weak stocks -with food. Bees ought never to be fed during the winter, as food given -at that time, not only causes disease, but induces them to go out of -their hives, when many of them perish from cold. - -Food should be administered only at night, and the sooner after sunset -the better; the vessel in which it is given ought to be carefully -removed by sunrise the next morning, or robbers will be attracted to -the hive by the smell of the honey and far more injury be sustained -from them, than the benefit arising to the Bees, from the food given. -In feeding, therefore, it will be necessary to observe the greatest -neatness. In Autumn, Bees should be fed copiously, those hives -containing less than fifteen pounds of honey must be made up to that -weight by feeding; the most effectual method I have been able to devise -is to excavate a board of four or five inches in thickness, so as to -allow a soup plate, or pewter dish to fit into it without rising above -its level; this dish may be filled with honey, and covered with pieces -of paper to prevent the Bees from being drowned, it may then be placed -under the hive at sunset, and a napkin tied round the bottom of it, -to prevent any of the Bees from making their escape; in this manner -three or four pounds of honey may be given at one time, so that twice -feeding, it is supposed will be sufficient for any hive, for if more -than this quantity is wanted, the stock must be joined to another as -directed in Chapter VIII. Should the honey be very thick, a small -quantity of warm water may be added to it, in the proportion of half a -pint to three pounds of honey, observing to mix them well together. - -If the honey be much candied it maybe placed over a fire for a few -minutes till it becomes liquid--another plan of feeding is to prepare -a rim of straw, or a wooden hoop, the exact size of the hive, and four -inches deep, within which place the dish of honey, and put the hive -over it, making the union secure with a napkin. - -In the Spring, Bees should be fed sparingly, three or four ounces of -honey twice in the week, will be found amply sufficient; the easiest -method of giving these small quantities is by a vessel of tin, upon -the same principle as a bird's fountain, holding about a pound or a -pound and half (see fig. 9.) the projecting trough or mouth, must be -put in at the entrance of the hive, it is one inch and three quarters -wide, and three inches and a half long, covered with a perforated tin: -this vessel being filled with honey, has only to be placed in the hive -at night, and removed in the morning, the feeder itself effectually -stopping up the entrance of the hive. - -Some persons feed their Bees at the top of the hive, but it is much too -tedious and sparing a way, in my opinion for Autumn feeding, in the -Spring it does very well. This feeder is of wood with a cover of glass, -it has a hole through its centre, corresponding with one at the top of -the hive, which enables the Bees to pass into it, and take the honey--I -believe it was invented by Wildman. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -_Food proper for weak Hives._ - -I am decidedly of opinion that Bees fed in the Autumn should have -honey, in preference to any other kind of food. Mr. Huish recommends -"eight pounds of honey, six pounds of water, a bottle of white wine, -and a pound of sugar, boiled and skimmed, to be bottled for use," -he adds, "the most advisable method is not to make more than is -immediately wanted, because there is some danger of its fermenting." -Now if the Bees are allowed to store a quantity of this, or any other -similar kind of food in their hives, will it not in all probability -ferment _there_ also? this is my reason for recommending honey -only--indeed I have never seen Bees so healthy as those fed on the -simple mixture of honey and water. In Spring, other kinds of food may -answer very well, as a small portion only is given at a time, and -very little of it deposited in the combs. A very good Spring food may -be made with honey and sweet wort, or with raw sugar and sweet wort, -boiled and skimmed. - -The proportions would be, one pound of sugar, or half a pound of honey, -to two pints of strong wort. - -For feeding weak stocks many things have been prescribed, but nothing -is so proper and natural as honey, but I dislike feeding altogether, -except a little in the beginning of the year, through the lateness of -the Spring some hives (otherwise sufficiently supplied) may require -it. Early swarms may also require a little honey when the weather -proves unfavourable for their collecting it the four or five first days -succeeding their being hived, but in both these cases a very small -quantity will be found sufficient. Autumn feeding very rarely answers -the purpose of the proprietor. Uniting the weak stocks at that season -as directed in Chapter VIII. will be found much more advantageous. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -_Enemies of Bees and means of overcoming them._ - - -Gelieu says, "that nothing is more prejudicial to Bees than ignorant -attention, their most formidable enemies are, perhaps, their -possessors, who busy themselves to torment them, and weaken and kill -them by too much care. In Winter, they hurt them by shutting them up, -and in Spring, the giving them a little honey is not always attended -to, neither is the guarding them from moths, which, at that time, make -the greatest havoc, nor is the narrowing of the entrances to prevent -them being robbed. Some people suffocate them in Autumn, that they may -possess themselves of their provisions; and others take out the best -of the honey, and often too much of it, and so expose them to die of -hunger. - -"I therefore place, in the foremost rank of their enemies, those of -their possessors, who, by their own ignorance and inexperience, hinder -them from prospering and multiplying."--To all this I am sorry to say -that I can bear testimony. - -Amongst the enemies of Bees are enumerated, ants, moths, birds, -poultry, mice, wasps, and spiders. Ants perhaps are their least -dangerous enemies, for though they cannot sting them, they carry them -to a distance. - -Ants may be destroyed by pouring boiling water into their nests, and -the operation will be greatly assisted by making holes into them with a -sharp stick, so as to allow the water to flow readily to the bottom of -them. Mr. Huish says, "to preserve my Bees from these vermin, I always -fasten a piece of sheep's skin, with its wool on round the bottom -of the pedestal," it has been said, that these insects dislike both -garlick and shalots and they will not harbour in the ground in which -these vegetables are grown. - -Moths[10] are by far their most formidable and dangerous enemies, -great numbers of hives are destroyed by them every year, it therefore -requires the utmost vigilance on the part of the Bee-keeper to defend -his favourites from these most powerful assailants. It is in the -caterpillar state that they commit their ravages, and it is truly -astonishing to observe the rapidity with which they destroy a hive, -when they get established in it. It must be observed that hives managed -upon the Depriving System, that are expected to stand for ten, fifteen -or even _twenty years_ are much more subject to the incursions of -moths, than those which are destroyed every year. The best method -of preventing their increase is the frequent cleansing of the hive -floors, for the female generally deposits her eggs between the hive -and the board on which it stands, or in the dust that accumulates at -the bottom. Upon removing the hive the moths maybe seen in the _larva_ -state upon the floor, and are easily destroyed. Moths and spiders, -says Dr. Bevan, "should be watched and destroyed, in an evening, as -at that time the former are hovering about, and the latter laying -their snares." He also recommends a frequent cleaning of the hive -floors.--Huish says, "the butterfly of the moth that redoubtable enemy -of the Bee, appears in April, and continues until October. Destroy them -as much as possible; frighten not away the bats which fly about the -hives, as they devour a great number of them." He says also, "I would -always advise an Apiarian to fix his attention particularly on a hive, -the Bees of which appear to be in inaction, whilst the Bees of other -hives are in activity.--If this inaction continue for ten days, or a -fortnight, not a moment then should be lost in examining the hive, and -the ravages of the moth will soon present themselves." - -[Footnote 10: Entomology designates two species of wax moths; the -greater is the most common _gallerea cereana_, and the smaller -_gallerea alvearia_.] - -Amongst birds, that little marauder the blue titmouse, (_parus major -of Linneus_) stands the foremost as their enemy, for, says Purchas, -"she will eat ten or twelve Bees at a time, and by and by be ready for -more; she feeds her young ones also with them. She eats not the whole -Bee, but divides it in the middle, pulls out the bag_ge_ of honey, -l_i_tting drop the skinny outside, in the spring she watches for them -in the willow and sallow trees, and takes them when they are at their -work." Destroy their nests in breeding time, and shoot them in winter. -Lapoutre, a French Naturalist, assures us, "that he saw under a tree in -which there was a tom-tit's nest, a surprising quantity of the scaly -parts of Bees, which this bird had dropped from its nest." Sparrows and -swallows have both an ill name, but I could never observe any great -hurt done by either of them. Poultry will occasionally destroy Bees, -for I once recollect seeing a hen and her brood pay dearly for their -freedom with a hive, the chickens were all stung to death, and the hen -escaped only with her life. - -From mice, the surest safeguard is the single pedestal (see fig. 1, 2 -and 3). - -The destruction of Queen Wasps in the Spring, and wasps nests in the -Summer, will prove the best security against these formidable enemies: -Queen Wasps are seen in April and May, and are very easily captured, -every one which is then destroyed, would probably have been the founder -of a nest, which may be computed at 30,000, at least. - -In Autumn, it is very common for Bees to rob and plunder each other's -hives the best remedy for this evil, as well as to guard against wasps, -is to contract the entrances; to effect this object, I would recommend -a copper guard to be attached to each hive; (see fig. 10, and page 18.) -the wooden one of Espenasse, as well as Huish's tin guard, I have found -very inconvenient, which induced me to construct the one referred to. -It is made of thin copper and stitched to the hive with copper wire, -it has two sliders, one pierced with a number of small holes, and the -other having one only, but large enough to allow the passage of one -Bee through it. The advantages of this, above all other guards, arises -from its not projecting beyond the hive, the alighting board not being -encumbered by it, and the angles formed by Huish's with the hive, so -annoying to the Bees, being avoided. - -"In a word," says Purchas, "if you desire to have your Bees thrive, -and prosper, keep them well from winds and wet, heat and cold, _destroy -their enemies_, and let them enjoy a sufficiency of food gotten by their -own industry; and if there be a want in some, timely supply them, and -doubt not if, by God's blessing on your endeavours, the increase and -prosperity of your Bees." - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -_Directions for Hiving Swarms._ - - -Bees managed upon the Depriving System, rarely swarm and are seldom -found clustering at the mouth of the hive, for every bright hour during -the honey season they seem to turn to profit, when however Clustering -or Swarming takes place, it generally arises from the Box not having -been put on sufficiently early in the season, or for the want of a -second Box; if a swarm should from these causes be compelled to leave -the hive, let it be put into a new improved Cottage Hive, (see fig. -3.) in the usual manner. - -I have always adopted the plan of placing my swarms where they are to -remain, within ten or fifteen minutes after the time of their being -hived, and in this practice Gelieu agrees with me, for he says, "most -people who have Bees allow their Swarms to remain till the evening in -the place where they have alighted, and do not move them to the Apiary -till after sunset, this method has many inconveniences. - -As soon as a swarm has congregated in the new hive, and seems to be -at ease in it, the most industrious amongst the Bees fly off to the -fields, but with a great many precautions. They descend the front of -the hive, and turn to every side to examine it thoroughly, then take -flight, and make some circles in the air in order to reconnoitre their -new abode, they do the same in returning. If the Swarm has taken flight -in the morning, the same Bees make several excursions during the day, -and each time with less precaution, as becoming familiarized with -their dwelling, they are less afraid of mistaking it, and thus, next -morning, supposing themselves in the same place, they take wing without -having observed where they have spent the night, and surprised at their -return not to find the hive in the same place, they fly about all day -in search of it, until they perish with fatigue and despair. Thus many -hundreds of the most industrious labourers are lost, and this may be -entirely avoided, if the Swarms be removed as soon as the Bees are -perceived coming out--this sign alone is sufficient. - -Sometimes I do not even wait till all the Bees clustered in front or -on the sides of the Hive, are reunited to their companions in the -interior, as they are never long in being so; and this plan has always -fully succeeded with me." - -Experience has long since proved, that the custom of beating -warmingpans and the like, at the time a swarm leaves the hive is -perfectly useless, as well as the ridiculous practice of dressing the -Hive, as it is called, by drenching it with beer, honey, fennel, &c.; -the former is considered by persons of observation, actually to prevent -the Bees from alighting so soon as they would otherwise do; and the -latter frequently to compel them to leave the hive. The best method is -to watch the Swarm in silence, and after it has once collected, to lose -no time in hiving it into a _new_, _clean_ and _dry_ Hive. Much time -and trouble may be spared the Bees, if the loose straw be removed from -the interior of the hive, the best method of effecting which, is to -singe them off with a wax taper, and afterwards to remove them with a -hard brush. - -I have for many years past discontinued the use of sticks across the -interior of my Hives, for they cause much unnecessary trouble to the -Bees in the construction of their combs; every facility should be given -to a fresh swarm in their labors, for they have much to do, as Dr. -Aikin has very beautifully said for them in the - -SONG OF THE BEES. - - We watch for the light of the morn to break, - And colour the grey eastern sky - With its blended hues of saffron and lake, - Then we say to each other, "Awake, Awake! - For our winter's honey is all to make, - And our bread for a long supply." - - Then off we hie to the hill and the dell, - To the field, the wild wood and bower; - In the columbine's horn we love to dwell; - To dip in the lily with snow-white bell, - To search the balm in its odorous cell, - The thyme and the rosemary flower. - - We seek for the bloom of the eglantine, - The lime, painted thistle, and brier, - And follow the course of the wandering vine, - Whether it trail on the earth supine, - Or round the aspiring tree-top twine, - And reach for a stage still higher. - - As each for the good of the whole is bent, - And stores up its treasures for all, - We hope for an evening with heart's content, - For the winter of life without lament - That summer is gone, with its hours mis-spent, - And the harvest is past recall. - -And not only do sticks across the hive cause much unnecessary trouble -to the Bees in the construction of their combs, but render their -extraction almost impossible; for in this System it becomes necessary, -after a Hive has stood seven or eight years, to cut out part of its -combs, which by that time will have become very black, very thick and -the cells, from the number of Bees hatched in them, (every one leaving -a deposit) much contracted. The times best suited for this operation -will be March and September; if performed in March, two leaves of comb -may be taken, if in September, one only; it is a very simple process, -and easily accomplished with the aid of a little tobacco smoke, and a -knife (fig. 6.) which I will hereafter describe. - -Gelieu says, in 1814, "I have several Stocks from twelve to twenty -years old that are as prosperous as the young ones, and one stock -_twenty-five years old_." - -I cannot say so much as this, but I do not in the least doubt the truth -of it; fifteen years is the longest time that I have kept a stock, and -the reason of my losing it at the expiration of that period was from -the decay of the Hive, it being badly made and not painted; its annual -profit was never less than forty, and some years, fifty shillings. - -I would recommend every person who keeps Bees, to have a few well -painted new hives always by him, that each hive be weighed, and its -weight upon a ticket of lead fastened to it, the board also upon which -the hive stands should be weighed. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -_Description of a knife for cutting out the combs (fig. 6.)_ - - -This knife, which is so simple in its construction, and so easily used, -deserves to be made generally known. Gelieu, to whom Apiarians are much -indebted, tells us, that in Switzerland it is commonly used, and that -the combs from hives of any shape or materials are extracted without -any difficulty. It is formed of a slip of steel (see fig. 6.) two feet -long, by an eighth of an inch thick, the handle is twenty inches long, -by half an inch broad, the turn-down blade of two inches in length is -spear pointed, sharp on the edges, and bent so as to form an angle -of 90 degrees with the handle; the other blade is two inches long, by -one and a half broad, and sharpened all round; the broad blade cuts -and separates the combs from the sides of the Hive, and the spear -point, which is also sharp on each side, admits, from its direction and -narrowness, of being introduced between the combs to loosen them from -the top of the hive. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -_Remedies proposed, as cures, for the Stings of Bees._ - - -"The sooner the Sting is extracted," says Dr. Bevan, "the less venom -is ejected, and consequently less inflammation induced. To alleviate -the irritation, numberless remedies have been proposed, of the most -opposite kind and uncertain effect; as oil, vinegar, bruised parsley, -burnet, mallow, or the leaves of any succulent vegetable, (renewed as -soon as warm, and probably therefore, operating by cold alone) honey, -indigo dissolved in water, &c., &c., the most effectual remedy appears -to be Aq. Ammon. or Spirits of Hartshorn, nor is this surprising, when -we consider that the venom of the Bee is evidently Acid." - -I have known both the pain and inflammation greatly relieved by -Laudanum; but for myself I could never experience the slightest relief -from its application. - -Its effects are very different in different persons for whilst a -single Sting will sometimes produce alarming symptoms in one person -another may receive many without being inconvenienced either by pain -or swelling; this I am sorry to observe is not my case, for a single -sting causes me the most acute pain, accompanied by violent swelling -and inflammation, which lasts two or three days; the above remedies -have proved totally ineffectual in affording me the slightest relief, -but I consider myself very fortunate in having lately met with almost -a perfect cure, and it is as immediate as it is effectual; I have much -pleasure in communicating it, for notwithstanding every precaution, -persons who are much amongst Bees occasionally meet with a sting. -The method I have of late adopted, by which the pain is instantly -removed, and both the swelling and inflammation prevented, is to pull -out the sting as soon as possible, and take a piece of iron and heat -it in the fire, or for want of that, take a live coal, (if of wood the -better, because it lasts longer) and hold it as near to the place as I -can possibly endure it, for five minutes; if from this application a -sensation of heart should be occasioned, a little oil of Turpentine or -Goulard Cerate must be applied. - -During the last three years I have used for myself and those about me, -who might chance to meet with a sting, a still more effectual remedy -than the above, and as its application is more simple it is certainly -to be preferred. It consists in applying the least possible quantity -of _Liquor potassæ_ immediately upon removing the sting either with -a fine camel's hair pencil, a sharp pen, or even with the point of a -needle. The venom of the Bee being an acid, this very powerful alkali -consequently neutralizes it, the pain is instantly removed and neither -swelling nor inflammation follow. Should too large a quantity of this -alkali be used, (as from the hurry in which it is usually sought after -frequently happens) the part should be plunged into cold water, or a -scar will be the consequence, which will last for some days. I have -found the quicker the application, the more effectual the cure. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -_Means of preventing the Bees from being stolen, especially in the -Country._ - - -I entirely disapprove of Houses of every description for Bees as a -protection against weather, because they tend in various ways most -effectually to destroy the lives of those valuable insects, for, as -before stated, they form a shelter for and promote the increase of -some of their most determined enemies; but there are other things -to provide against, not only robbers of their own species, but those -who would carry away hives as, well as honey, and at the request of a -friend who has twice been deprived of all his hives by this latter -description of Robbers,--I am induced to give what in my opinion is -the best kind of house to answer this purpose, and likely to be the -least injurious to the Bees. It may be sufficiently wide to allow of -six hives with a milk-pan upon each, to be placed in a line, which will -occupy about eleven feet, its depth may be about twenty-two inches, -the top and ends weather boarded, the front and back composed of wood -or iron bars, placed so that a small Hive or box will not pass between -them, the front ones may be fixed, but those at the back must be made -to remove, and secured by a lock. - -At fifteen inches from the ground must be placed two pieces of wood, -about four inches square, well secured by cross pieces at the ends of -the house and by an upright in the middle, upon these pieces place the -boards on which the hives stand, sufficient height must be given to -allow of two Boxes to be placed upon a hive, three feet at least should -be allowed. - -Another method of security may be adopted which is equally effective, -and as the inconveniences of a House are avoided perhaps it is the most -preferable. It is to have a stout iron ring of four inches in diameter, -a little flattened at the sides so as to become oval, worked in the -back of the Hive a little below its centre, when the Hives are placed -in a line upon pedestals of equal height a chain may be passed through -these rings and locked at each end. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -_Method of Dislodging Bees from Trees or Buildings, and putting them -into Hives._ - - - -It very rarely happens that Bees in Buildings or in Trees survive the -Winter, cold and humidity usually kill them, but the comb and the -little honey remaining in it induces others to visit their abode in -the Spring, and which in all probability will be followed by a Swarm -from some neighbouring Apiary in May or June, and on this account Bees -are said _always_ to be there, a little observation will prove the -incorrectness of this statement, and I believe the only criterion by -which it can be proved that Bees have _actually existed in such places -through the Winter_, is to see them carrying in pellets of farina upon -their legs in March and the early part of April. - -The most proper time for dislodging a Stock, which from having fixed -upon some warm and dry abode, has lived through the Winter, is towards -the end of May or the beginning of June, but a Swarm ought to be -removed upon the day of its arrival, or as soon afterwards as possible. - -The only method that I can recommend at all likely to succeed, and -which I have found to answer the purpose, is to lay the combs quite -bare, and then to cut them out one by one, sweeping the Bees with a -feather or the back of the knife, from each piece of comb into an empty -hive. - -Should the Queen not be observed during this process, it will be -advisable to take a leaf of Comb that is filled with eggs or brood, and -fasten within side the hive intended for the Bees, that they may be -enabled to make a new one, should their original Queen have been killed -or lost during this operation; for it is now proved beyond all doubt -that they have the power of doing this, provided they have either eggs -or brood in their hive. - -The use of a little tobacco smoke throughout this operation will be -necessary, a cigar in the mouth of each operator (for there must be two -persons, if not more, engaged in it) will be found sufficient. - -The Queen Bee may easily be distinguished by a common observer, her -wings are very short, not extending beyond one half of her body, which -is much longer, and more pointed than that of the working Bees, her -legs are copper coloured, and her body brown. - -The combs being all removed and the Bees swept off them into the -hive, it must now be put upon a board and placed exactly where the -Bees entered before they were disturbed, and, if possible, it should -remain in this situation till Autumn, but its remaining for a week or -two is absolutely necessary; should there be many combs filled with -brood, three or four of them may be placed in the hive, by putting -some wooden pegs at the top of it to keep them at proper distances, and -allowing them to rest upon the hive-board. - -This, however, is a tedious operation and very seldom pays for the -trouble it occasions; for stocks thus obtained are generally weak and -require feeding, or to be united to others to keep them alive through -the winter. It is therefore more to the advantage of the proprietor to -cause the combs in trees or buildings, in which Bees have died, to be -destroyed, and the places effectually stopped up with clay or mortar. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -_Description of Nutt's newly invented Hive, for obtaining Honey without -destroying the Bees._ - - -This Hive consists of three collateral Boxes, (see fig. 8.) the -centre one fourteen inches, and the side ones ten and a half square -inside measure, depth eleven inches; the middle box has a number of -holes in the top three quarters of an inch in diameter, bored in the -circumference of a circle six inches in diameter, with one in its -centre, over which a glass is placed. The side boxes (_aa_) have each -a hole of four inches square in the centre of the top, into which is -fitted a piece of tin pierced with small holes, and in its centre a -hole of an inch in diameter, wherein is placed a tube of tin of the -same size, reaching nearly to the bottom of the Box, and supported -by a shoulder resting upon the square tin, which is also perforated. -This square tin and cylinder constitute the ventilator, the opening in -the Boxes is covered by a piece of wood, (_bb_) the Boxes have each a -glazed window (_c_). The centre Box communicates with the side ones -by a grating cut in the wood and corresponding with each other, this -communication is cut off when necessary by sliding tins. - -The method that I have adopted for protecting this Hive from wet, is -to cover the glass with a common straw hive, upon which a milk-pan is -placed, and each of the side boxes by two pieces of board eleven inches -by fifteen, put together so as to form an angle of ninety degrees, -resembling the roof of a cottage. The whole should be made of inch deal -and well painted, the board upon which the three boxes stand must be of -two inch deal and of one piece, except the alighting board, which is -nailed on, three strong pieces of two inch deal will be necessary on -the under side of the board as braces to prevent its warping. - -In this I have differed a little from Mr. Nutt, because I think the -solid board more substantial and less likely to harbour insects, his -being hollow to allow the bees to escape at the time of deprivation, -when the communication between the centre and the side boxes is cut off -by means of the sliding tins, for which I have made provision by having -an entrance at the back of each of the side boxes, to which is attached -a copper slider, (fig. 10.) but without the entrance for a single Bee. - -The middle Box must be stocked in the usual way, by hiving a swarm -into it, and if the swarm be not a large one, it will be better to put -two swarms into it as directed in Chapter VIII. It will be necessary -to have both the top and side tins securely fastened to the centre -box at the time of hiving, and till after the union, when they may -be removed, thereby giving the bees the full range of all the boxes -as well as of the glass upon the centre one, nothing further will be -required till the next Summer, except carefully placing the roofs to -defend the boxes from wet.--"Perhaps," says Mr. Taylor, "there is -nothing more prejudicial to Bees than the moisture they engender during -the Winter season, particularly after frost, and in certain states of -the atmosphere. It accumulates on the top and sides of the pavilion, -moulding and rendering offensive the combs, and producing disease. For -this reason boxes with flat roofs have been objected to. I have tried -different experiments to obviate this serious evil, and have found -nothing better than the practice of condensing the vapour as much as -possible and conveying it away. This I have done for several years by -means of the bell-glasses. - -[Illustration] - -At the beginning of Winter I place over the holes on the top of the -pavilion, pieces of perforated zinc, and on these I set the glasses, -each within a circular leaden or zinc trough, open in the centre. As -the exhalation rises from the warmth below, it is condensed on the -glass, and received, often in considerable quantity, in the troughs. An -imperceptible current of air is thus produced, of great advantage to -the inmates; for ventilation is as much wanted in winter as in summer, -and particularly when the population is numerous. The holes at the top -of the glasses may be left open to assist this, for of two evils it is -better to have too much than too little air. Nor, with good protection -from weather, need the effects of cold be apprehended; for the Bees, -(if not weak in numbers) will always of themselves generate sufficient -warmth, and a dry, cold season is better withstood than a mild, moist -one, particularly after a good honey year." - -This leaden or zinc trough of Mr. Taylor's exactly resembles in form -the feeder mentioned in page 56. - -In the following Summer, when the Bees are working in the side boxes -and the glass, the ventilation must be particularly attended to, (for -upon this _alone_ depends the success of the hive,) and here I would -especially recommend Mr. Taylor's ventilator as given in page 25; a -small thermometer should be kept in one of the ventilating tubes, -and when it is observed above ninety degrees of Fahrenheit, the -covers (_bb_) must be taken off, and should the temperature of the -boxes be found at, or above a hundred, the perforated copper slides -at the back of the side boxes, must be used, for if it reaches to a -hundred-and-thirty, a Swarm in all probability will leave the hive, -which next to starvation is most fatal to this mode of treatment. When -either of the side boxes or the glass upon the top of the centre one -is filled with honey and sealed up, introduce the dividing tin; if -the glass, remove it immediately thirty or forty yards from the hive -without changing its position, leaving room at the bottom for the Bees -to escape, which they will very soon do, but if either of the side -boxes are to be taken away, open the copper slider at the back of the -box, and in less than an hour from the time of the dividing tin being -introduced, the Bees will have made their escape and joined the centre -box, it may then be removed, emptied and replaced, or another may be -substituted for it. All operations must be performed upon a fine and -bright day. The entrance to the centre box should be opened to its -fullest extent, by removing both the sliders from the first of April -till the first of September. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -_The Apiarian's Monthly Manual, or Hints for the Management of Bees for -every month in the year, upon the Depriving System._ - - - JANUARY. - -Should the cold be intense, no operation whatever should be performed -on the Bees that requires the removal of the hives. If snow be on the -ground keep the perforated sliders (page 18.) closely down that air may -be admitted, but not a Bee allowed to escape until it be thawed; but -immediately upon the disappearance of the snow remove the slider, and -give them full liberty. I have known many stocks lost by not attending -to this precaution, and more especially after a long confinement, do -not suffer the snow to melt either upon the covers or hive-boards, but -brush it off every day as it falls. Attend regularly to the condenser -(page 90.) which to boxes with flat roofs is a very necessary and -useful appendage. - - - FEBRUARY. - -Upon a mild day in this month let the floor board of each hive be -cleaned, and a little food administered, should the stock of honey be -very low. See that the coverings be sound, and that no moisture comes -upon the top of the hives. Should it be found that any of the hives -have perished, which will sometimes occur, and from causes which cannot -be exactly ascertained, let them be immediately removed, and the honey -which they contain taken out, and reserved for feeding those that may -require it. - - - MARCH. - -Clean the hive-boards again, and should any of the stocks require -feeding, supply them, attending strictly to the directions given in -Chap. IX. Towards the end of this month place a vessel, containing -water, near the Bees, as directed in page 3. This also will be found -a good time to examine the pedestals upon which the hives stand, for -after remaining some years in the ground they are subject to decay at a -few inches below its surface, especially if regard was not paid to the -quality of the timber at the time of fixing them. - - - APRIL. - -Clean the hive-boards for the last time, and supply food, if required, -as before directed. The Wax-moth, that redoubtable enemy to Bees, -appears this month; they may be seen frequently at twilight running -upon the outside of the hives: destroy them as much as possible, and, -as Huish says, "frighten not away the Bats that fly about the hives, -for they destroy numbers of them." A full supply of small hives, boxes, -glasses and adapters should now be provided, old ones cleaned, or new -ones purchased. A few large hives also should be ready, for if from -inattention to giving room and ventilation, a swarm should be compelled -to leave their hive, they will be wanted. - -Weak hives are now very subject to an attack from robbers, the best -protection that can be afforded them is the slider page 18, with -the help of which three or four Bees will guard the entrance more -effectually than many times that number without it. - - - MAY. - -The time will now have arrived for supplying each stock with a small -hive or other receptacle for honey, as directed in Chap. 4, and should -the season be a favorable one, the supply even of a second may be found -necessary before the end of the month. Continue to destroy Queen wasps -and hornets, and to watch carefully for moths. Should the bees of any -hive appear inactive at this time, or should they not be seen to carry -in pellets of farina whilst others are doing it, and this inaction -continue for eight or ten days, lose no time in examining the hive, -and should the moths have begun their work of destruction, which may -be known by seeing the combs joined together by their silken webs, cut -away the combs affected with a sharp knife, and the hive may, perhaps, -be saved. - - - JUNE. - -Strict attention should now be paid to _room_ and _ventilation_, for, -as has been said in page 24, if both these be carefully observed, -_swarming may be prevented altogether_. Swarms may now be purchased as -directed in Chap. II. About the middle of the month, in good seasons, -small hives and glasses may be taken off, full directions for which may -be found in Chap. V. - -At the end of the month look for wasps'-nests and destroy them; a very -easy and effectual method of doing it is to fill a common squib or -serpent case with a mixture of sulphur and gun-powder, in equal parts, -with a very small quantity of nitre all finely powdered and rammed very -hard into the case, set fire to it by means of touch-paper, and when -in a state of ignition, stick it into the hole of the nest and place -your foot upon it, when it ceases to burn let a person with a spade -turn out the nest; in this manner a great number may be effectually -destroyed in one night. - - - JULY. - -Small hives and glasses must now be taken off as they are filled and -sealed up, (and stored in cool places, observing to keep them in the -same position as when standing upon the stocks,) and their places -supplied by empty ones. Go on destroying wasps'-nests. - - - AUGUST. - -Continue to take off hives and glasses as they are filled, but supply -no fresh ones, the honey season being now chiefly over. - - - SEPTEMBER. - -Small hives remaining upon the stocks that are only partially filled -with honey may now be taken off, providing the stock will not be too -much impoverished thereby; wherever the chance of this presents itself -leave them on through the winter, or until they are emptied by the -bees; those partially filled hives taken from rich stocks may be given -to weak ones, now, or in the spring as required. Robbers will at this -time be carrying on their depredations, and should a serious attack be -observed the sliders must be used as before directed. - - - OCTOBER. - -Examine the coverings to the hives that they be all sound, and that no -rain be admitted through them; the entrances may now be narrowed, if -Taylor's slider be used (page 18) the side with three openings will be -most proper for this season. - - - NOVEMBER. - -Clean the floor-boards of the hives, and see that they stand firmly on -their pedestals, contract the entrance so that only one bee can come -out at a time, for at this season mice are likely to lodge themselves -in the hives. - - - DECEMBER. - -The same attentions are necessary this month as in the two preceding, -but if the cold should be intense the hives must not be removed. - - - FINIS. - - - Printed by T. C. Newby, Angel Hill, Bury. - - - * * * * * - - -Transcriber Note - -Minor typos corrected. - - - - - - - - - - - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BEE KEEPER'S GUIDE, -CONTAINING CONCISE PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF BEES UPON -THE DEPRIVING SYSTEM *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. 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H. Payne—A Project Gutenberg eBook - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover_epub.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; -} - -hr.tb {width: 35%; margin-left: 32.5%; margin-right: 32.5%;} -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} -@media print { hr.chap {display: none; visibility: hidden;} } -hr.full {width: 95%; margin-left: 2.5%; margin-right: 2.5%;} - -hr.r5 {width: 5%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 47.5%; margin-right: 47.5%;} -hr.r10 {width: 10%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 42%; margin-right: 425%;} - -div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} -h2.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} - -table { - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; - border-collapse: collapse; -} -.tblcont {width: 70%;} -.tblcont tr:hover {background-color: #f5f5f5;} - -.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; - font-style: normal; - font-weight: normal; - font-variant: normal; -} /* page numbers */ - -.bdt {border-top: 1px solid;} - -.tdl {text-align: left;} -.tdc {text-align: center;} -.tdr {text-align: right;} -.tdr2 {text-align: right; padding-right:1em;} -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} -.bold {font-weight: bold;} - -.gesperrt {letter-spacing: 0.2em; margin-right: -0.2em;} - -h1, h2, h3 {font-weight: bold; text-align: center; text-indent:0;} -h1 {font-size:2.00em; margin-top: 1.5em;} -h2 {font-size:1.50em; margin-top: 1.0em;} -h3 {font-size:1.25em; margin-top: 1.0em;} -.caption3nb {font-size:1.25em; text-align: center; text-indent:0; margin-top: 1.0em;} -.pmt2 {margin-top: 2em;} -.pmb2 {margin-bottom: 2em;} -.pmb4 {margin-bottom: 4em;} -.smaller {font-size: 0.8em;} -.larger {font-size: 1.25em;} -.blockquot p {margin-left: 4em; margin-right: 2em; text-indent: -2em; text-align: justify;} - -/* Images */ - -img { - max-width: 100%; - height: auto; -} - -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; - page-break-inside: avoid; - max-width: 100%; -} - -/* Footnotes */ -.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} - -.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} - -.fnanchor { - vertical-align: super; - font-size: .8em; - text-decoration: - none; -} - -/* Poetry */ -.poetry-container {text-align: center; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} -.poetry {text-align: left; margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%;} -/* uncomment the next line for centered poetry in browsers */ -.poetry {display: inline-block;} /* */ -.poetry .stanza {margin: 1em auto;} -.poetry .verse {text-indent: -3em; padding-left: 3em;} -/* large inline blocks don't split well on paged devices */ -@media print { .poetry {display: block;} } -.x-ebookmaker .poetry {display: block;} - -/* Transcriber's notes */ -.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; - color: black; - font-size:smaller; - padding:0.5em; - margin-bottom:5em; - font-family:sans-serif, serif; } - -.chpsum {width: 30em; padding: 0 1em 1em 1em; margin: 0 auto; text-align: center;} - -/* Poetry indents */ -.poetry .indent0 {text-indent: -3em;} -.poetry .indent2 {text-indent: -2em;} - - - - </style> - </head> -<body> -<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Bee Keeper's Guide, containing Concise Practical Directions for the Management of Bees upon the Depriving System, by J. H. Payne</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The Bee Keeper's Guide, containing Concise Practical Directions for the Management of Bees upon the Depriving System</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:1em;'>Fourth Edition</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: J. H. Payne</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: March 1, 2022 [eBook #67538]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Tom Cosmas produced from materials freely available at The Internet Archive and placed in the Public Domain.</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BEE KEEPER'S GUIDE, CONTAINING CONCISE PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF BEES UPON THE DEPRIVING SYSTEM ***</div> - - - - -<div class="figcenter" id="cover" style="width: 325px;"> - <img src="images/cover.png" width="325" height="558" alt="The Bee Keeper's Guideby J. H. Payne" /> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h1><span class="smaller">THE</span><br /> - -BEE KEEPER'S GUIDE,</h1> - -<div class="larger"> -<p class="tdc">CONTAINING</p> - -<p class="tdc">CONCISE PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS</p> - -<p class="tdc smaller">FOR</p> - -<p class="tdc larger gesperrt bold">THE MANAGEMENT OF BEES,</p> - -<p class="tdc smaller">UPON THE</p> - -<p class="tdc larger bold">DEPRIVING SYSTEM.</p> -</div> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<h2>BY J. H. PAYNE,</h2> - -<p class="tdc"><span class="smcap">Author of "the Cottager's Guide."</span></p> - - -<hr class="r5" /> - - -<p class="pmt2 pmb2 tdc">FOURTH EDITION.</p> - - -<hr class="r5" /> - - -<p class="tdc larger">LONDON:</p> - -<p class="tdc"><span class="smcap">T. C. NEWBY, 65, MORTIMER St., CAVENDISH Sq.</span></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p class="tdc">1842.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter" id="hives_1-7" style="width: 427px;"> - <div class="caption3nb">Figures 1-7.</div> - <img src="images/hives_1-7.png" width="427" height="516" alt="" /> - -<table summary="hives"> -<tr> - <td>Fig.</td> - <td><span style="padding-left: 4em;">Description</span></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr2">1</td> - <td class="tdl">Improved Cottage Hive</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr2">2</td> - <td class="tdl">Improved Cottage Hive with small hive affixed</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr2">3</td> - <td class="tdl">Hive showing the opening on top</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr2">4</td> - <td class="tdl">Small Hive with glass opening</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr2">5</td> - <td class="tdl">Adapter for small Hive or Box</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr2">6</td> - <td class="tdl">Knife for cutting out the comb</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr2">7</td> - <td class="tdl">Box to be used instead of small Hive</td> -</tr> -</table> - -</div> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="figcenter" id="hives_8-10" style="width: 555px;"> - <div class="caption3nb">Figures 8-10</div> - <img src="images/hives_8-10.png" width="555" height="405" alt="" /> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_iii">- iii -</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="PREFACE1">PREFACE<br /> - -<span class="smaller">TO THE FIRST EDITION.</span></h2> -</div> - - - -<p><span class="smcap">Having</span> written the "Cottager's Guide for the Management of -his Bees, upon the Depriving System," which has been printed -under the direction of the Suffolk and Norfolk Apiarian Society, -for gratuitous distribution amongst the Cottagers, I am induced, at -the particular request of several Apiarian friends, to enlarge the -above little work, and to give in addition a description of Nutt's -newly invented Hive, and other practical remarks in Bee-knowledge, -resulting from nearly forty years close observation.</p> - -<p>Should this little work be the means of inducing any person to -promote the culture of Bees amongst the Cottagers in his immediate -neighbourhood, upon the Depriving System, I shall be amply repaid -for the trouble it may have occasioned me; and the hope that -such will be the result, must be my apology for adding to the number -of books (perhaps already too numerous) upon this subject.</p> - -<p>Reaumur in a letter to M. de la Bourdonaye, in 1757, says, "The -preservation and also the increase of Bees is an object of such interest -to Britanny, that the peasantry cannot be too much encouraged -to turn their attention to it." Surely this is equally applicable -to our own country at the present time, when the condition of the -labouring poor calls so loudly for relief.</p> - -<p>I have little hesitation in saying, that Cottagers who are able to -keep from four to six Hives of Bees, may make from four to eight -pounds, yearly profit, after paying all expenses upon them. I paid -last year to one Cottager seven pounds, fifteen shillings, and to another -five pounds and one shilling for Bees and Honey.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_iv">- iv -</span></p> - -<p>The following anecdote has so much the appearance of truth in -it, and is so well suited to my present purpose, that I cannot refrain -from giving it.</p> - -<p>A good old French Bishop in paying his annual visit to his Clergy, -was very much afflicted by the representations they made of their -extreme poverty, which, indeed, the appearance of their houses -and families corroborated. Whilst he was deploring the state of -things which had reduced them to this sad 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 still -more woful plight than the others; contrary however to his expectations, -he found appearances very much improved, every thing -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 man that I have met with a cheerful face and a plentiful -board. Have you any income independent of your Curé?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Sir," said the Clergyman, "I have; my family would -starve on the pittance I receive from the poor people that I instruct, -come with me into the garden and I will show you the <i>Stock</i> that -yields me an excellent interest."</p> - -<p>On going to the garden he showed the Bishop a large range of -Bee-hives.</p> - -<p>"There is the Bank," he continued, "from which I draw my -annual dividend.—It never stops payment."</p> - -<p>Ever after that memorable visit, when any of his Clergy complained -to the Bishop of poverty, he would say to them, "<i>Keep -Bees! Keep Bees!</i>"</p> - -<p>In the words of an Apiarian friend, I solicit information from -every one who may have it in his power to transmit it to me, and -on the other hand, I profess my perfect readiness to impart whatever -knowledge I may possess in the management of an Apiary, to -any person who will favour me with the application; my aim is -general utility, and the establishment of a national advantage.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_v">- v -</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="PREFACE2">PREFACE<br /> - -<span class="smaller">TO THE SECOND EDITION.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Since</span> the first appearance of this little Treatise I am most happy -in being able to state that Apiarian Science has in this neighbourhood -and in the adjoining Counties, made very considerable -advances, that the ridiculous notions, and foolish prejudices entertained -respecting Bees, are fast wearing away—that the <i>Cottagers</i> -are generally managing them upon the depriving system, making -them a real source of profit and of comfort, and that a number of -influential persons are making themselves acquainted with the practical -management of Bees, upon the simplest and most profitable -methods, for the sole purpose of setting an example, and for qualifying -themselves to give instructions in the management of them -to their poor neighbours. Nor is this spirit of well directed benevolence -confined to these Counties only, for at Oxford a Society is -just formed to promote an improved and more extensive system of -Bee management among the Cottagers by the diffusion of information -on the subject, and the <i>loan</i> of hives <i>not the gift</i>, their cost to -be repaid from the produce, and also to promote a more extensive -and scientific knowledge concerning the Natural History and cultivation -of Bees among the higher classes; the society I find is -flourishing, a piece of ground has been taken and laid out as an -experimental Bee-garden, there is already a very considerable -number of stocks of Bees placed in it in common straw, and experimental -hives. Subscribers pay half a guinea a year, and non-Subscribers -a shilling each visit This is an example worthy of -imitation.</p> - -<p>I am just favoured with a letter from a Gentleman who has -recently visited the above establishment giving me a certain and -simple method of Autumnal union of weak stocks, which he there -witnessed, but it comes too late to be embodied in this treatise the -whole of that part being already in the press, still as I consider the -union of weak stocks important, and Gelieu's method which I have -given too troublesome for most persons, I will venture to give it in -this place. "The process" he says, "is merely <i>fumigating the Bees</i> -for which they have invented a tube much more simple than Nutt's -which they insert into the mouth of the hive; under the hive is -previously pushed either an empty one reversed, or a shallow box -with a wide rim, this receives the stupified Bees; cut out the combs -and remove all the remaining Bern from them that none be lost. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_vi">- vi -</span> -Now take a little sugared ale and sprinkle it over them just as they -are recovering, place upon them the hive to which they are to be -united, this hive requires no sprinkling nor any fumigation, the -Bees in the latter are soon attracted by we ale and go down into -the hollow containing the fumigated ones licking them over, the -whole are mixed and go up without the least disturbance, it is unnecessary -to take any trouble about the Queen," he adds "I was -assured that not a Bee would be lost" and he further says "upon -my return home I tested it with entire success on some of my neighbour's -Bees, it was the work of but a few minutes, and not the smallest -danger. I left the hive placed upon the other all night, and the -next morning every Bee had left the bottom one, more perfect quiet -I never saw. I think there were nearly two quarts of Bees fumigated."</p> - -<p>Puff-ball is generally recommended being the safest, mild tobacco -answers very well, great caution, however, is required in its use, or -the Bees may be killed. Common fumigating bellows, or even a -tobacco-pipe may be used for this operation: After this discovery -it will be absurd not to unite weak stocks, or to destroy a single Bee -on taking up an old hive.</p> - -<p>I have always considered the keeping of Bees and the advantages -arising from them to be the undoubted privilege of the Cottagers -and theirs alone, other persons may keep a few for amusement, or -to endeavour to learn something of their natural history, but all -should in my opinion be made subservient to the Cottagers' benefit.</p> - -<p>The present season has been a most unpropitious one, especially -in this neighbourhood, perhaps the most so that I remember, but -I am disposed to think that this is not a favourable district for the -collection of honey. I have frequently compared the produce of -my own apiary with that of others at a distance, and this year -especially, with that of a friend upon the Essex bank of the Stour, -which I assisted in forming and have frequently visited, the quantity -of honey obtained from this is small, but it is five times as -much as that of any one in this neighbourhood consisting of the -same number of stocks.</p> - -<p>I cannot close this preface without acknowledging the very flattering -manner in which my little treatise has been mentioned in -various publications, and my thanks to the many correspondents it -has obtained for me. The addition which I have been enabled to -make to it, will I trust be acceptable and useful.</p> - -<p>I still solicit information from any who will give it me, and am -ready to impart it to all those who will ask it.</p> - -<p> -<i>Bury Saint Edmund's,<br /> - Oct, 11th, 1838.</i><br /> -</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_vii">- vii -</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS.</h2> -</div> - - -<p class="caption3nb">CHAPTER I.</p> - -<p class="tdr smaller">Page</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Situation of an Apiary and directions for placing the Hives</p> -</div> - -<p class="tdr smaller"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">1</a></p> - -<p class="caption3nb">CHAPTER II.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Directions for Purchasing Bees</p> -</div> - -<p class="tdr smaller"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">10</a></p> - -<p class="caption3nb">CHAPTER III.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Materials of which Hives should be made, and the Improved -Cottage Hive described</p> -</div> - -<p class="tdr smaller"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">15</a></p> - -<p class="caption3nb">CHAPTER IV.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Method of placing the small Hive, Box, or Glass, upon the Improved -Cottage Hive, by which means fine Honey may be -obtained without destroying the Bees</p> -</div> - -<p class="tdr smaller"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">21</a></p> - -<p class="caption3nb">CHAPTER V.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Proper time for taking away the Box, and how to expel the -Bees from it</p> -</div> - -<p class="tdr smaller"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">30</a></p> - -<p class="caption3nb">CHAPTER VI.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Method to be pursued in case a Swarm should leave the Hive, -after having commenced working in the Box</p> -</div> - -<p class="tdr smaller"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">36</a></p> - -<p class="caption3nb">CHAPTER VII.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Method of uniting Second and Third Swarms</p> -</div> - -<p class="tdr smaller"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">41</a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_viii">- viii -</span></p> - -<p class="caption3nb">CHAPTER VIII.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Manner of uniting Swarms and Old Stocks in Autumn</p> -</div> - -<p class="tdr smaller"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">45</a></p> - -<p class="caption3nb">CHAPTER IX.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Manner of Feeding weak Stocks, and the Time most appropriate -for this operation</p> -</div> - -<p class="tdr smaller"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">53</a></p> - -<p class="caption3nb">CHAPTER X.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Food proper for weak Hives</p> -</div> - -<p class="tdr smaller"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">57</a></p> - -<p class="caption3nb">CHAPTER XI.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Enemies of Bees, and means of overcoming them</p> -</div> - -<p class="tdr smaller"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">60</a></p> - -<p class="caption3nb">CHAPTER XII.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Directions for Hiving Swarms</p> -</div> - -<p class="tdr smaller"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">67</a></p> - -<p class="caption3nb">CHAPTER XIII.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Description of the Knife for cutting out the Combs</p> -</div> - -<p class="tdr smaller"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">74</a></p> - -<p class="caption3nb">CHAPTER XIV.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Remedies, proposed as Cures, for the Stings of Bees</p> -</div> - -<p class="tdr smaller"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">76</a></p> - -<p class="caption3nb">CHAPTER. XV.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Means of preventing the Bees from being Stolen especially in -the Country</p> -</div> - -<p class="tdr smaller"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">80</a></p> - -<p class="caption3nb">CHAPTER XVI.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Method of dislodging Bees from Trees or Buildings, and putting -them into hives</p> -</div> - -<p class="tdr smaller"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">83</a></p> - -<p class="caption3nb">CHAPTER XVII.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Description of Nutt's newly invented Hive for obtaining the -Honey without destroying the Bees</p> -</div> - -<p class="tdr smaller"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">87</a></p> - -<p class="caption3nb">CHAPTER XVIII.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>The Apiarian's monthly manual, or dints for the management of -Bees for every month in the year upon the depriving System</p> -</div> - -<p class="tdr smaller"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">94</a></p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">- 1 -</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="THE_APIARIANS_GUIDE">THE APIARIAN'S GUIDE.</h2> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="bar_diamond" style="width: 3002px;"> - <img src="images/bar_diamond.png" width="300" height="24" alt="" /> -</div> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="chpsum"><i>Situation of an Apiary, and directions for placing the Hives.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">I have</span> no hesitation in saying, that a South -aspect is decidedly preferable to any other situation -for an Apiary. I have tried various aspects, -but the Bees in the South I have always found to -be the healthiest, and to collect the largest quantity -of honey. It is very important that the hives be -sheltered from the wind by trees or houses, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">- 2 -</span> -that they are not placed in the vicinity of ponds -or large rivers, for high winds will dash them into -the water, where numbers will perish.</p> - -<p>It was the opinion of the ancients, that Bees -in windy weather carried weights to prevent them -from being driven about by it. Virgil says,</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">"That with light pebbles, like a balanced boat,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Poised through the air on even pinions float."</div> - </div> - -<p class="tdr"> -<span class="smcap">Sotherby's Georgics.</span><br /> -</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p>This is now ascertained to be erroneous, and -is ascribed by Swammerdam and Reaumur, to -preceding observers having mistaken the Mason -Bee, for a Hive Bee; the former builds its nest -against a wall, with a composition of gravel and -its own saliva, and when freighted with the former -article, may easily have led a careless observer into -the erroneous opinion alluded to. The Abbe della -Rocca appears to have fallen into, and perpetuated, -the same error.</p> - -<p>Though large ponds are very injurious, a small -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">- 3 -</span> -stream is beneficial to them, which if they are not -supplied with, water must be given them, for it is -absolutely necessary, and enters, as much as honey -and farina, into the composition with which they -nourish the brood. The plan that I have for many -years adopted, is to fill an unglazed earthen pan, -eighteen inches by eight, four inches deep, and -square at the sides, with water, upon the surface -of which floats a very thin deal board perforated -with holes: in Spring and Summer, the Bees may -be seen coming in great numbers to drink, or -rather to carry water into their hives to mix with -the farina they collect so abundantly at this season -of the year for food for their young. In my -opinion, Dr. Bevan says very justly, that "the -Apiary should be near the residence of the proprietor, -as well for the purpose of rendering the -Bees tractable, and well acquainted with the -family, as for affording a good view of their general -proceedings."</p> - -<p>I am a decided enemy to Bee houses of all kinds -for they are the means of causing the ruin of a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">- 4 -</span> -great number of hives, by affording a home to -their worst enemies, viz. mice, moths, spiders, -earwigs, and various other insects, thousands die -from imprisonment, and many hives are destroyed -by humidity. The method of placing several -hives upon the same bench is also very injurious, -it very much facilitates pilfering, and renders it -impossible to operate upon one hive, without -disturbing the others.</p> - -<p>The hives should be placed upon separate -boards, supported by single pedestals four or five -inches in diameter, firmly placed in the ground, -and standing about fifteen inches from the surface, -(see <a href="#hives_1-7">fig. 1. plate 1.</a>); upon the top of this post -should be nailed firmly a board nine inches square, -upon which should be placed the board the hive -stands upon, but not nailed, the double boards -will be found very convenient for weighing or -removing the hives, without disturbing the -Bees.</p> - -<p>On no account use clay or mortar as is usually -done to secure the hive to the board, the Bees of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">- 5 -</span> -themselves will do it more effectually;<a id="FNanchor_1" href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> clay or -mortar tends very much to decay the hives, and -to harbour moths and other insects; each hive -should be covered with a large milkpan, and be -well painted every year, for hives managed upon -the depriving system, are expected to stand from -fifteen to twenty years.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_1" href="#FNanchor_1" class="label">[1]</a> This fact, though it has been denied by those who profess to -have had much experience in the management of Bees, is known -to every novice in Apiarian science, for he does not suffer much -time to pass, after having purchased a swarm of Bees, without endeavouring -to ascertain how much honey they have collected, and -finds the difficulty of separating the hive from the board upon -which it was placed.</p> - -</div> - -<p>The hives should be placed about three feet -apart from each other, and in a right line, but -should the number be too great to allow of this -arrangement, and render two rows necessary, -they must not be less that fifteen feet asunder, -and those in the front row intersecting the line -formed by the hinder one.</p> - -<p>The boards on which the hives are placed, -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">- 6 -</span> -should be cleaned about four times in the year, -January, March, April and November, much time -and trouble will be saved the Bees thereby.</p> - -<p>Plants which rise in height equal to or exceeding -the entrance of the hives, should not be -suffered to grow in their immediate vicinity, and -every facility should be removed by which the -enemies of the Bees can ascend into the hives.</p> - -<p>Still, however, a few shrubs or standard roses -of four or five feet may with advantage be placed -eight or ten paces in front of the hives, for the -Bees to alight upon in their return home when -heavily laden with honey and pollen—it saves their -falling to the ground from the weight of their -load, which they frequently do, and in unfavourable -weather to rise no more—it was seeing them -rest in this manner that gave rise to the following -lines:—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Rest on that Rose's leaf awhile, thou little Busy Bee,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Thou hast winged thy way with thousands, the wand'ring, the free,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Unwearied with thy ceaseless toil in search for future store,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Thou'rt comeback to unlade thy sweets, then sally forth for more.</div> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">- 7 -</span></p> </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Thou'st been among the flow'rs of gold, their kiss is on thee yet,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And o'er thy richly powdered wings how many hues are met,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">That tell of revelling at the founts of nectar's luscious tide,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Of honey-dews that rest upon each petal's glossy side.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Where hast thou been since the bright morn first saw thee on thy way</div> - <div class="verse indent0">'Mong scented brier and glittering heath that woo'd thy lingering stay?</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Hast thou no voice to tell us of the far off verdant scenes,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Of the rich limes thou lov'st so well and of the fresh'ning steams.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Away! away! once more thou'rt up and ev'r the leaf be still'd.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">To its soft rest from the trembling that thy light form has thrill'd,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Thou'lt be again among thy loves, the fragrant, the bright,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">All jealous of their hidden sweets, in murmuring delight.</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - - -<p>I have always found the advantage of planting, -in the vicinity of my hives, a large quantity of -the common kinds of crocus, single blue hipatica, -heleborus niger, and tussilago petasites, all of -which flower very early and are rich in honey and -farina: salvia nemorosa, (of Dr. Smith) which flowers -very early in June and lasts all the summer, is in -an extraordinary manner sought after by the -Bees, and when room is not an object, twenty or -thirty square yards of it may be grown with advantage,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">- 8 -</span> -origanum humile, origanum rubescens, -(of Haworth) and mignonette may also be grown; -cultivation beyond this, exclusively for Bees, I -believe answers very little purpose.</p> - -<p>Doctor Bevan says: "To those who, residing -in towns, may consider it indispensable to the -success of an Apiary, that it should be in the -immediate vicinity of good pasturage, and be -thereby deterred from benefiting and amusing -themselves by keeping Bees; it may be satisfactory -to learn that the Apiary of the celebrated -Bonner was situated in a garret, in the centre of -Glasgow, where it flourished for several years, -and furnished him with the means of making -many interesting and valuable observations which -he gave to the world about thirty years -ago."</p> - -<p>My own experience also proves the truth of the -above statement, residing myself for four years in -the centre of a large town, in a house without a -garden, I kept two stocks of Bees in my study, -in glass, and four or five others in the improved -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">- 9 -</span> -cottage hive upon the roof of my house, and I -am not aware that they have ever done better, or -afforded me a larger quantity of honey in any -other situation.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">- 10 -</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="chpsum"><i>Directions for purchasing Bees.</i></p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> best time to establish an Apiary is from -the middle of February to the middle of March, -the stocks will have passed in safety through the -winter, the combs are then empty of brood, light -of honey, and the removal safe and easy. Stocks -should be selected by a competent judge, as the -weight alone cannot be relied on, a swarm of the -preceding year should be selected, and one that -contains not less than twelve pounds of honey; -there are few commodities in which a person can -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">- 11 -</span> -be so easily deceived as in a hive of Bees. I -would therefore recommend the young Apiarian -to take the opinion of some experienced person -before he makes his purchase, a hive of the preceding -year can only be known by a close inspection -of the combs, which but few persons have -courage to engage in; if the hive is not of the -preceding year its weight is no criterion of its -value, for an old hive always contains a large -quantity of the pollen or dust of flowers which -the Bees carry home on their legs, especially in -the Spring and Autumn, it is an essential ingredient -in the food with which they nourish their -young, but good for nothing else, indeed the Bees -will die of hunger upon the combs that are -filled with it:—"Yet," says Gelieu, "they lay -up useless hoards of it, which they go on augmenting -every year, and this is the only point on -which they can be accused of a want of that prudence -and foresight so admirable in every other -respect."</p> - -<p>The Bees appear to be aware of the perishable -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">- 12 -</span> -nature of this substance, for they never fill a cell -entirely with it, but leave room for a small quantity -of honey in each cell containing pollen, -before it is sealed up, by this means the air is -most effectually excluded, and the pollen preserved -for a considerable time; should, however, -the Bees be compelled to consume the honey -from those cells containing pollen, before they -can make use of it for their young, it moulds and -becomes of no value, and causes them great labour -to remove it. For when in this state, they have -no means of displacing it but by eating away the -cells in which it is contained, and conveying it -out of their hives in small pieces, about the size -of peas, hard and mouldy. I have seen the entrance -of old hives in the month of April almost -filled up with the pellets of mouldy farina. The -process is tedious, takes up much time, and the -ravages made by it upon the combs appear irreparable; -still in a short space of time, if the -weather be favourable, the combs are repaired, as -if no injury had befallen them, and filled with -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">- 13 -</span> -honey or brood. It is a very heavy substance, -so that if weight be the only criterion, farina will -be purchased instead of honey, therefore in the -purchase of old stocks it will be necessary they -should weigh eight pounds more than swarms of -the preceding year; in the purchase of swarms -less experience is necessary, and by attending to -the following rules the young Apiarian will not -be imposed upon.</p> - -<p>1st. That the swarm be purchased before the -14th of June, the longer before that time the -better.</p> - -<p>2ndly. That it does not weigh less than three -pounds and a half. I have known some swarms -to weigh six pounds, but this is of rare occurrence.</p> - -<p>It is very important to observe, that when a -swarm of Bees is purchased it must be removed -to the place in which it is to remain, upon the -evening of the day it swarmed, for should the -removal be delayed even till the next day, the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">- 14 -</span> -combs will in all probability be broken and the -stock destroyed.</p> - -<p>I should recommend the purchaser to send his -own hive to the person of whom he intends -to buy a swarm, and to desire him not to put any -sticks across the interior of the hive, as is the -usual custom, for they cause much trouble to the -Bees in forming their combs, and render their -extraction almost impossible. The prosperity of -the hive will much (perhaps entirely) depend upon -its being finally placed upon the evening of the -day it swarmed.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">- 15 -</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="chpsum"><i>Materials of which Hives should be made, and the -improved Cottage Hive described.</i></p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Much</span> has been said with respect to the materials -of which Hives should be made, and experience -has long determined, that straw and wood -are the best. Mr. Huish, to whom I am indebted -for some useful information in Apiarian science, -says, "Of all the materials which have been selected -for the formation of a Hive, I conceive no -one to be more eligible than straw." Gelieu, to -whom experience as an Apiarian I am disposed -to pay the greatest respect, and whose work containing -Practical Directions for the Management -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">- 16 -</span> -and Preservation of Hives,<a id="FNanchor_2" href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> I would recommend -to every keeper of Bees, says, (when speaking of -wood and straw as materials proper for Hives) -"experience has shown me, that it is a matter of -indifference which are employed; except as to -price, according as either material may be more -or less abundant in different parts of the country." -I have for nine years possessed a Nutt's hive, -which is made of wood, (and which I shall have -occasion hereafter to mention,) without being -able to discover any difference in the health and -activity of the Bees; but the facility and economy -in the construction of straw hives, must always -be a recommendation, as it is in every article -connected with rural economy.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_2" href="#FNanchor_2" class="label">[2]</a> The 'Bee Preserver,' by Jonas De Gelieu, recently translated -from the French.</p> - -</div> - -<p>It has always been my practice to paint my -Hives, both wood and straw, at least once in the -year, and I would strongly recommend all persons -to do the same. April I think is the best time, -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">- 17 -</span> -and if done after six o'clock in the evening, not -the least inconvenience will arise either to the -painter or to the Bees.</p> - -<p>Having decided upon the materials of which -Hives should be made, their form is next to be -considered; for a straw hive, I would recommend -the following size, nine inches deep and twelve -in diameter, straight at the sides and flat at the -top, in shape like a half bushel measure, a hole -should be made in the top of four inches, and a -piece of straw large enough to cover it must be -fastened on with skewers, (see <a href="#hives_1-7">fig. 3, plate 1.</a>) not -to fit in but to cover <i>over</i>, the diameter of the -piece of straw being at least two inches more than -that of the opening at the top of the hive, it will -be much easier taken off, and the combs of -swarms of a few weeks standing will not be injured -by its removal, which in favourable seasons -should always have a glass or small hive put upon -them, the early ones especially; an entrance of -two inches by one, must be cut in the bottom -of the hive, to which I affix a piece of copper of -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">- 18 -</span> -about six inches by three, having a grove, to -admit two sliding copper plates, one perforated -and the other having a hole large enough to -allow but one Bee to come out at a time, (see -<a href="#hives_8-10">fig. 10, plate 2.</a>)<a id="FNanchor_3" href="#Footnote_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_3" href="#FNanchor_3" class="label">[3]</a> Instead of two sliding plates, I would recommend one only -as given by Mr. Taylor, in his "Bee-Keeper's Manual," lately-published, -for as they cannot both be used at the same time, the -one out of use is frequently misplaced. Zinc answers the purpose -equally with copper, and is but half its price.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="i_page18" style="width: 350px;"> - <img src="images/i_page18.png" width="350" height="352" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p>I have found great advantage -arising from this little apparatus. The finely perforated -slider is used to confine the Bees to their -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">- 19 -</span> -hive when snow lies upon the ground, the reflection -of which, when the sun shines upon it, never -fails to induce them to leave their hives, and -falling upon it they perish, for a Bee becomes -torpid at a temperature of 32°. The slider with -one hole only, is useful both in Spring and -Autumn, preventing either robbers or wasps from -entering the hives, for three or four Bees will, -with the help of this slider, guard the entrance -more effectually that ten times the number without it.</p> - -<p>Although I have recommended Bees to be confined -in their hives so long as snow remains upon -the ground, it would, however, be very prejudicial -to them if carried on beyond that time, for I -never saw Bees healthy and strong after being -shut up through the winter.</p> - -<p>Gelieu says, "Bees have no real disease, -dysentery, about which so much noise has been -made, and for which so many remedies have -been prescribed, never attacks the Bees of a well-stocked -hive, that is left open at all seasons, but -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">- 20 -</span> -those only that are too long and too closely confined. -They are always in good health as long -as they are at liberty, when they are warm enough -and have plenty of food. All their pretended -diseases are the result of cold, hunger, or the infection -produced by a too close and long confinement -during winter."</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">- 21 -</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="chpsum"><i>Method of placing the small Hive,<a id="FNanchor_4" href="#Footnote_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> Box, or Glass upon -the Improved Cottage Hive, by which means fine Honey -may be obtained, without destroying the Bees.</i></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_4" href="#FNanchor_4" class="label">[4]</a> To avoid repetition, we shall in future use the term, "Box," to -express any receptacle employed to obtain honey on the improved -system, whether it be in wood, glass, straw, or any other material.</p> - -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">At</span> the end of April, or very early in the month -of May, take the moveable piece of straw, from -the top of the Improved Cottage Hive, (<a href="#hives_1-7">fig. 3.</a>) -and place it upon the adapter, (<a href="#hives_1-7">fig. 5</a>,) then put -the Box or small Hive (<a href="#hives_1-7">fig. 7, and 4</a>) upon this -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">- 22 -</span> -adapter and cover the whole with a milk-pan, to -defend them from wet. A glass may be used instead -of the small Hive or Box, with equal success, -providing it be covered with something that -will effectually exclude light; a cover of straw, is -perhaps, preferable to any other.</p> - -<p>When the Bees are beginning to work in a -glass, a cold night generally obliges them to forsake -their newly made combs, sends them down -into the hive, and compels them to discontinue -their labours which are seldom resumed till the -middle of the next day; to prevent this delay I -would recommend the space between the glass -and its cover to be filled with fine tow or wool, -the temperature of the glass being thereby kept -up, and the Bees enabled to carry on their labours -without interruption.</p> - -<p>Experience has proved that the milk-pan is the -best of all protections for a hive, provided it be -six inches in diameter larger than the hive itself.</p> - -<p>When the Box is filled with honey and the -combs partially sealed, or when the Bees are seen -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">- 23 -</span> -to cluster at the mouth of the Hive at nine or ten -o'clock in the morning, let no time be lost in -lifting up the Box, and placing between it and -the Stock-hive another Box with a hole in the -top; the adapter (<a href="#hives_1-7">fig. 5</a>) will be found very useful -in this operation. It is necessary to use this -precaution at all times, but more especially in a -rainy season as a greater disposition amongst the -Bees to swarm then prevails. "Dry weather -makes plenty of honey, and moist, of swarms."<a id="FNanchor_5" href="#Footnote_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> -However incorrect this position may at first sight -appear, the attentive observer will quickly become -convinced of its truth.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_5" href="#FNanchor_5" class="label">[5]</a> Purchas on Bees.</p> - -</div> - -<p>Since the publication of the first edition of this -little Treatise, many persons have said to me, "their -Bees would swarm, although the small hive had -been placed on as directed above, and sometimes -after they had commenced working in it," the -reason for which in my opinion is, that the second -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">- 24 -</span> -small hive was not supplied soon enough, for the -like has never in a single instance occurred with -my own Bees. I have not had a swarm these -twenty years from any of the hives worked upon -the Depriving System, occasionally I have compelled -a hive to swarm, to fill up a vacancy in my -number, where the Queen has died, or some other -accident destroyed the stock.</p> - -<p>The population of a hive increases rapidly in -April and May, and consequently the internal -temperature rises in proportion, a very high temperature -causes swarming, (Mr. Nutt says 130°) -although the Bees may have abundance of room—I -have frequently seen a glass lamp that has no -opening at the top, placed upon a hive, and the -result has been that the Bees swarmed before -they had filled it.—If both <i>room and ventilation</i> -are carefully attended to <i>swarming may be prevented -altogether</i>, and that the one may be as completely -under the control of the proprietor as the other, I -would recommend Mr. Taylor's Ventilator, which -I believe, to be a perfect one, for when properly -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">- 25 -</span> -arranged it will reduce the temperature of a hive -at the swarming season, from ten to twenty degrees -in a few minutes—I would recommend its -insertion in the top of the small hive, box, or -glass, before it is placed upon the larger one.</p> - -<p>"The Ventilator I use, says Mr. Taylor, (and I -have made them of various forms) consists of double -tubes, both resting on a flauch in the holes -prepared for them, the outer tube is of one inch -diameter and six inches long, with six half inch -holes dispersed over it.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="i_page25" style="width: 161px;"> - <img src="images/i_page25.png" width="161" height="281" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p>It is soon fixed down in its place by the Bees, -and so must remain, the inner tube is of perforated -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">- 26 -</span> -zinc, with a<a id="FNanchor_6" href="#Footnote_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> tin projecting top as a handle, -and a cap to put on or off this as required. The -Bees will stop up the inner tube where they can -get at it, when it may be turned round a little to -present a new surface. When wholly stopped, it -may be withdrawn from its place, and a clean -tube substituted. This may be done without the -least danger to the operator, but it should be -inserted carefully, to avoid crushing any Bees -that may have crept within the outer tube, an -exit to these is afforded by the hole at the bottom. -The substance with which Bees glue up all crevices -and attach their combs is called Propolis—a -resinous exudation from certain trees, of a -fragrant smell, and removable by the aid of hot -water.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_6" href="#FNanchor_6" class="label">[6]</a> In adopting Mr. Taylor's Ventilator to the small hive, the inner -tube must be made without "the projecting top as a handle," and -the cap made even with the flauch.</p> - -</div> - -<p>In order occasionally to know the temperature -of any of the boxes, a thermometer made to fit -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">- 27 -</span> -the ventilator may be inserted in it. This is -chiefly useful as a matter of precaution towards -the swarming season.</p> - -<p>Some have thought it necessary to cut holes -in the floor-board, or have placed drawers underneath, -to aid the ventilation, but I have always -found the mouth of the hive sufficient for all -purposes."</p> - -<p>All operations except joining swarms or stocks, -should be performed upon a fine day, about noon, -they may then be done with much less annoyance -to the Bees, as well as with less chance of -danger to the operator.</p> - -<p>I have for some years past performed almost -all the operations required in this system without -the defence, even of gloves, but I would not recommend -any person to attempt it, until he has -had several years experience in the management -of Bees.</p> - -<p>The being perfectly defended in every part -against their stings, gives that coolness and confidence -to the operator, upon which the happy -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">- 28 -</span> -accomplishment of his intentions so much depends. -I cannot too strongly urge, that coolness -and confidence on the part of the operator are -essential qualifications, for anything approaching -to hurry irritates them beyond measure; indeed -whilst engaged with them the hand ought never -to be hastily removed from one position to another. -Dr. Bevan says, "quietness is the surest -protection against being stung."</p> - -<p>The best defence is a mask of wire, very similar -to, but much finer than a fencing mask, -with a rim of tin made to fit the head, to which -a silk handkerchief is attached, a pair of thick -worsted gloves, and stockings or gaiters of the -same material; stout leather gloves are as good -protection as those of worsted, but leather, from -the closeness of its texture, will not allow the -Bees to withdraw their stings from it and the -consequence is, that many perish.</p> - -<p>It is recommended to persons during their -operations on Bees, to carefully avoid breathing -upon, them, as nothing is more offensive, or more -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">- 29 -</span> -irritating to them than the human breath; this -however, is partially obviated by closing the -mouth, and suffering the breath to pass gently -through the nose, by which means a full current -is not allowed to fall upon them.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">- 30 -</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="chpsum"><i>Proper time for taking away the Box and how to expel -the Bees from it.</i></p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">When</span> the Box is filled with honey and the -combs all sealed up, (which will generally be done -about the middle of June) it may be taken off, or -it may remain till the one placed beneath it is -also sealed up, which in all probability will be -completed by the first week in August.</p> - -<p>Upon the very strong and populous hives, it -is necessary in some seasons to place even a third, -which must be removed with great caution, for -at this time of the year every stock should contain -at least twenty pounds of honey; should -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">- 31 -</span> -however the stock have that quantity, it may be -safely removed and placed upon a weaker one, for -the combs not being all sealed, the honey therefore -is not saleable. The Box taken off, must be -lifted very gently at noon, upon a fine day, and -carried forty or fifty yards from the hive; place -it upon a board or table, raising it a little that -room may be given to the Bees to make their -escape, which they will do in a very short time.</p> - -<p>Much difficulty appears to have arisen with -some persons in getting the Bees to leave the -Box when taken off, but in this as in all other -operations with Bees, gentleness is very important, -indeed it is the only means of accomplishing -the end desired, and as I have before said, "the -Box must be lifted <i>very gently</i>," and placed about -six inches from the ground, or table, upon bricks, -flower pots, or something of the kind. Shaking, -beating, or burning paper under it, as is sometimes -done, have all a contrary effect upon -the Bees, they are alarmed by it, and will not -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">- 32 -</span> -leave the box perhaps for days, when these means -have been resorted to.</p> - -<p>The box being thus placed, a loud humming -noise is first heard, and the Bees are then seen -to leave it within five or six minutes, (all except -a few stragglers), but should the Queen be in the -Box, (which very rarely happens) quite a different -appearance presents itself, no noise will be heard, -or a Bee scarcely seen to leave it, but the hive -from which it has been taken will in a very short -time appear in great confusion. Whenever this -occurs, the Box must be returned immediately, -and taken off again the next day.</p> - -<p>When a hive or glass of honey is taken, it -ought not to be left till the Bees are all out of it, -for it is very likely to be attacked by robbers, thus -a great part of it will be carried away in a short -time, and what is left rendered unfit for sale, on -account of the cells being opened, from which the -honey will drain out upon the position of the hive -being changed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">- 33 -</span></p> - -<p>Robbers may be known by their desire to enter -the hive or glass, the Bees belonging to it, being -separated from their Queen, fly home immediately -upon leaving it.</p> - -<p>In taking off a box of honey it will be found -convenient to pass a very thin knife, or fine wire, -between the hives or boxes intended to be separated; -if that precaution be not taken, a piece of -comb frequently projects from the top of the one -left, or the bottom of that taken, which causes -much trouble to the operator: two adapters (<a href="#hives_1-7">fig. 5.</a>) -placed between the boxes will be found very -convenient, for the knife or wire will only have to -be passed between them, and the danger of breaking -the combs will be obviated—they should be -made of mahogany, for it will allow of being -worked very thin, without the risk of warping.</p> - -<p>To expel the bees from the box or hive when -taken off, Gelieu says, "Take a hive or box of -the same size, place it over the full one that is -turned upside down, bind them round with a -napkin, to intercept all passage to the bees, and -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">- 34 -</span> -force them to ascend into the empty box, by -tapping gently on the full one. They soon go up -into the empty box, and when they are all housed, -replace them on the parent hive, whence they -were withdrawn; and if the season is favourable -and the honey abundant, they soon set to work -again."</p> - -<p>Honey taken by this method is acknowledged -to be very superior in quality to that obtained by -the usual barbarous and unprofitable manner of -burning the Bees, which arises from the combs in -which it is deposited being new and perfectly -white, the early period at which it is collected, -and from its being unmixed with honey gathered -later in the season as well as from the Queen -very rarely ascending through the opening at the -top of the improved cottage hive, that neither -brood nor farina are found amongst it.</p> - -<p>This honey sells readily at two shillings a -pound, whilst that obtained by burning the Bees, -is scarcely saleable at eightpence.</p> - -<p>It is usual to obtain from every good stock -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">- 35 -</span> -twenty or perhaps thirty pounds of honey annually. -I once obtained forty-five pounds, leaving the -stock rich in honey.</p> - -<p>It is frequently asked what becomes of the Bees -managed on this system, if they are never suffered -to swarm nor are destroyed;—the hives will -never contain them? To which I would reply, -that it is well known to those who are conversant -in the care of Bees, that their numbers decrease -greatly in Autumn, not only by the destruction -of the drones, but also by the unavoidable deaths -of many of the working Bees, owing to the -thousand accidents they meet with in the fields, -and to age;<a id="FNanchor_7" href="#Footnote_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> a much less space therefore is wanted -for them in the winter than was necessary in -the summer.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_7" href="#FNanchor_7" class="label">[7]</a> Mr. Purchas in his "Theatre of Political Flying Insects," -published in 1657—says, "it is manifest that the Honey Bees are but -yearly creatures," and when giving the sentiments of Aristotle, -Pliny, Columella, Cardanus, and others, he says, "the truth is, -notwithstanding these men's opinions, that Bees live but a year and -a quarter at most, for those Bees that are seen in May, lusty, full, -brown, smooth, well winged, will by the end of July following, -begin to wither, become less<i>e</i>, look gr<i>a</i>y, and have their wings -t<i>o</i>ttered, and torn, and be<i>e</i> all dead before the end of August."</p> - -</div> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">- 36 -</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="chpsum"><i>Method to be pursued in case a Swarm should leave the -Hive, after having commenced working in the Box.</i></p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">This</span> is a circumstance of very rare occurrence, -and more especially when the directions given in -the former chapter are strictly complied with; -however, should it happen, let the swarm be -hived in the usual manner into the improved Cottage -Hive, (see <a href="#hives_1-7">fig. 3.</a>) as directed in Chapter XII, -when the Bees are settled, take off the moveable -piece of straw from the top of the hive, and place -upon it the box partially filled with honey and -Bees; cover the old hive with the piece of straw -belonging to it, and the milkpan, as no further -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">- 37 -</span> -profit (except the cast or second swarm) will be -obtained till the next season; should the proprietor -be unwilling to increase his number of stocks, -the swarm may be returned immediately to its -parent hive; the process is very simple, and I -have always found it succeed—as soon as the -swarm is settled, turn the hive bottom upwards, -and if the Queen Bee does not make her appearance -in a few seconds, dash the Bees out upon a -cloth, or upon a gravel walk,<a id="FNanchor_8" href="#Footnote_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> and with a wine -glass she may be easily captured, upon this being -accomplished, the Bees will immediately return -to their parent hive and resume their labours; she -may also very easily be taken during the departure -of a swarm, for she appears to leave the hive -reluctantly, and may be seen running backwards -and forwards upon the alighting-board before -she takes wing.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_8" href="#FNanchor_8" class="label">[8]</a> The method of performing this operation, consists in lifting the -hive gently about a foot, and with a smart and sudden jar returning -it to the ground, so that the Bees be completely dislodged from the -hive and left upon the cloth, the hive may now be removed to a -short distance, and as the Bees are attempting to return to their -former habitation the Queen may be easily captured.</p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">- 38 -</span></p> - -<p>A second swarm generally leaves the hive about -nine days after the first, but the time may be -exactly ascertained by standing quietly beside the -hive after sunset, when the Queen may be distinctly -heard "to tun' in hir treble voic',"<a id="FNanchor_9" href="#Footnote_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> which -is a certain indication that a second swarm will -leave the hive. Should two or three Queens be -heard one after the other, it will be on the following -day, if the weather be not <i>very</i> unfavourable, -(for the second and third swarms appear to have -less regard as to the weather than the first.) Should -the Queens continue to pipe after the departure -of the second swarm, a third will certainly follow -in a few days, but if one or two Queens be found -dead beneath the hive on the next morning, no -more swarms can be expected.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_9" href="#FNanchor_9" class="label">[9]</a> Butler's Feminin Monarchi—Edit. 1634.</p> - -</div> - -<p>That the old Queen accompanies the first swarm -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">- 39 -</span> -is established beyond a doubt; that many Queens -are bred in a hive, a number sometimes exceeding -thirty in one year, is also ascertained; and that -the Bees have the power of producing a Queen -from an egg deposited in the combs of the working -Bees, by treating it in a different manner to -those that are to become workers, has also been -satisfactorily proved, all that has been said beyond -this, regarding their natural history, must, I believe, -be considered principally conjecture.</p> - -<p>It is, however, says a modern Author, "not -the least interesting part of the study of the -Bee, that this apparently insignificant insect -has hitherto baffled all the research and ingenuity -of man to discover the manner of its -propagation; analogy presents no guide to the -solution of this secret, and the result of every -anatomical experiment has tended rather to mystify -the subject, than to conduct us to the road -to truth," and Purchas, who I have before quoted -says, "God humbles us with ignorance in many -things, not only divine but natural and in common -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">- 40 -</span> -use, in the nature of Bees how blind are we, notwithstanding -all our observations and labour in the -production and continuance of the Queen Bee, in -the generation of other Bees, and generally in the -forms of all things."</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">- 41 -</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="chpsum"><i>Method of uniting second and third Swarms.</i></p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Second</span> and third Swarms, or Casts and Colts, -are seldom or ever able to collect a sufficient quantity -of honey, to support themselves through the -winter, and can only be preserved by much care -and expense, and most of them die after all without -bringing any profit. It is much better therefore -to unite them in the following manner:—when -two <i>Casts</i> or <i>Colts</i> come off upon the same -day hive them separately and leave them till an -hour and half after sunset, then spread a cloth -upon the ground, upon which by a smart and -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">- 42 -</span> -sudden movement shake all the Bees out of one -of the hives, and immediately take the other and -place it gently over the Bees that are heaped together -upon the cloth, and they will instantly -ascend into it and join those, which, not having -been disturbed, are quiet in their new abode; -next morning before sunrise remove this newly -united hive to the place in which it is to remain; -this doubled population will work with double -success and in the most perfect harmony, and -generally become a strong stock from which much -profit may be derived.</p> - -<p>Two Casts or weak Swarms may be joined in -the same manner, although one of them may have -swarmed some days or even weeks later than the -other, taking care however not to make the first -one enter the second, but the second the first, -a third and a fourth parcel of Bees may be joined -to them at different times till the stock becomes -strong.</p> - -<p>It is almost impossible sufficiently to impress -upon the mind of every person who keeps Bees -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">- 43 -</span> -the necessity of having his stocks all strong, for -weak stocks are very troublesome, very expensive, -and seldom, if ever, afford any profit.</p> - -<p>Mr. Taylor says, "the stronger the colony at -the outset the better the Bees will work, and the -more prosperous it will become. I never knew a -weak one do well long, and a little extra expense -and trouble at first are amply rewarded by succeeding -years of prosperity and ultimate profit;" -and again, "thus strength in one year begets it -in succeeding ones, and this principle ought to -be borne in mind by those who imagine that the -deficient population of one season will be made -up in the next, and that the loss of Bees in the -winter is of secondary consequence, forgetting -how influential is their warmth to the earlier and -increased productive powers of the Queen, and -how important it is in the opening spring to be -able to spare from the home duties of the hive a -number of collectors, to add to the stores, which -would otherwise not keep pace with the cravings -of the rising generation."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">- 44 -</span></p> - -<p>It is a remarkable fact, that two weak stocks joined, -will collect double the quantity of honey, and -consume much less than two of the same age and -strength kept separately. Stocks must be joined -after sunset upon the day that one of them has -swarmed, or before sunrise the next morning, and -the doubled stock must be placed upon the stand -it previously occupied. Great care must be taken -not to shake the hive, nor must it be turned up, -the combs being new, and tender, will easily -break, and the stock by that means be destroyed.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">- 45 -</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="chpsum"><i>Manner of uniting Swarms and old stocks in Autumn.</i></p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">For</span> this very useful information I am indebted -to that excellent Apiarian, Gelieu; I have tried it -upon some of my own stocks, as well as upon -those of my friends, and have found it in every -instance fully to answer my expectations. Persons -possessing these instructions should not allow a -weak stock to remain through the winter.</p> - -<p>The operation is performed very easily and -without danger: I have frequently accomplished it -without any protection whatever, and I will give -the method in the words of Gelieu—"When the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">- 46 -</span> -swarms have not been able to lay up a sufficient -provision during the fine weather, I weigh them -at the end of the season, and knowing the weight -of each empty hive, I can tell exactly the quantity -of honey they have in store. If they are three, -four, five or six pounds too light, I preserve them -and feed them in the manner I am about to detail. -When the swarms have only about one-third or -one half of the quantity of honey which would -suffice to feed them, I might keep them alive by -giving them as much more as they require. I -have frequently done so, but I have already remarked -that this plan costs too much honey, -and gives too much trouble: and, therefore, I -generally join them into one. For this purpose, -I leave the heaviest swarm untouched, and, in -the morning of a fine day in September, or the -beginning of October, I commence by blowing -a few whiffs of tobacco-smoke with my pipe in -at the door of the hive of the lightest swarm, to -disperse the sentinels; then turning up the hive, -and placing it on its top on the ground, I give it -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">- 47 -</span> -a little more smoke, to prevent the Bees from -becoming irritated, and to force them to retire -within the combs—I proceed to cut out all the -combs in succession, beginning with the smallest, -sweeping the Bees with a feather off each piece -back into the hive; and then I place the combs, -one after another, into a large dish beside me, -keeping it, at the same time, carefully covered -over with a napkin, or small table cloth, to prevent -the Bees returning to their combs, or the -smell of the honey attracting others that may be -flying about. The last comb is the most difficult -to come at, being completely covered over with -Bees. I detach it, however, in the same way as -the others, but with greater precaution, sweeping -the Bees off very gently with the feather until -there is not one left on it. This operation, I perform -without gloves, or any other protection, -armed only with my pipe; and, for ten times that -I treat them after this fashion, I seldom receive -one sting, even when I act unassisted.</p> - -<p>The combs being all removed, the swarm remains -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">- 48 -</span> -as completely destitute of food as it was on -the day of its emigration, and I replace it on its -board in the same spot it occupied when full, and -leave it till the evening, by which time the Bees -will be clustered together like a new swarm. -During the whole of the day, which I shall suppose -to be fine, they occupy themselves with -great earnestness cleansing their house, and making -such a noise in removing the little fragments -of wax that have fallen on the board, that any -one who did not know it had been emptied, -would take it for the best and strongest of the -hives. Before night, when they are all quiet, I -throw a few whiffs of smoke in at the door of the -hive which I mean my deprived swarm to enter, -and which should be its next neighbour, on the -right hand or the left; then, turning it up and -resting it on the ground, I sprinkle it all over with -honey, especially between the combs where I perceive -the greatest number of Bees: five or six -table-spoonfuls generally suffice; at other times -three or four times as many are required. If too -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">- 49 -</span> -little were given, the new comers might not be -well received; there might be some fighting; -and, by giving too much, we run the risk of -drowning them.—One should cease the sprinkling -when the Bees begin to climb up above the combs, -and shelter themselves on the sides of the hive, -this done, I replace the hive on its board, which -should jut out about seven or eight inches, raising -the hive up in the front with two little bits of -stick, so as to leave a division of an inch between -it and the boards to give free access to the Bees. -I also spread a table cloth upon the ground before -it, raising and fixing one end of it on the -boards by means of two bits of stick, that are -placed as a temporary support to the hive. I then -take the hive that was deprived of its combs in -the morning, and with one shake, throw the Bees -out of it upon the table-cloth, which they instantly -begin to ascend; while, by the help of a long -wooden spoon, I guide them to the door of the -one that is placed for their reception. A few -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">- 50 -</span> -spoonfuls of the Bees raised and laid down at the -door of the hive will set the example, they enter -at once, and the others follow quickly flapping -their wings and sipping with delight the drops of -honey that come in their way, or officiously licking -and cleaning those first inhabitants that have -received the sprinkling, and with whom they -mingle and live henceforth on good terms, one -division of the new comers always cluster on the -front of the hive, which they enter during the -night without disturbance, much pleased to join -their companions.</p> - -<p>Next morning, early, it is necessary to take -away the table-cloth and the bits of stick that -were placed to raise up the hive and facilitate the -entrance of the bees, and for some days the door -should be left open as wide as possible. The -hive should also be moved a little to the right or -left, that it may stand precisely in the centre -of the place they both occupied before the -union.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">- 51 -</span></p> - -<p>I have frequently united three swarms in the -same manner, and with the same success, taking -care only to empty in the morning those on -each side, and to make the bees enter the middle -one in the evening, after it has been sprinkled -with honey. In this case I do not remove the -one that unites the three swarms."</p> - -<p>I have adhered strictly to these directions except -in "raising and fixing the table-cloth to the -board,"—making the bees ascend, I have always -found to be a slow process, but placing the hive -they are to join over them when heaped upon the -cloth, is much quicker and equally successful.</p> - -<p>Old stocks that are rendered weak by swarming, -or by having too much honey taken from -them, may be united in the same manner, with -this difference only, that double the quantity of -honey should be used in sprinkling.</p> - -<p>If a stock of Bees containing fifteen or twenty -pounds of honey in September, be carefully -managed during the winter, which consists in -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">- 52 -</span> -narrowing the entrance to exclude robbers, carefully -covering the hive with a milk-pan, and -raising it from the board every month or six -weeks to clean it, no doubt can be entertained to -its affording a good box of honey.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">- 53 -</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="chpsum"><i>Manner of feeding weak Stocks, and the time most -appropriate for this operation.</i></p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Autumn</span> and Spring are the most proper seasons -for supplying weak stocks with food. Bees -ought never to be fed during the winter, as food -given at that time, not only causes disease, but -induces them to go out of their hives, when many -of them perish from cold.</p> - -<p>Food should be administered only at night, -and the sooner after sunset the better; the vessel -in which it is given ought to be carefully removed -by sunrise the next morning, or robbers will be -attracted to the hive by the smell of the honey -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">- 54 -</span> -and far more injury be sustained from them, than -the benefit arising to the Bees, from the food -given. In feeding, therefore, it will be necessary -to observe the greatest neatness. In Autumn, -Bees should be fed copiously, those hives containing -less than fifteen pounds of honey must be -made up to that weight by feeding; the most -effectual method I have been able to devise is to -excavate a board of four or five inches in thickness, -so as to allow a soup plate, or pewter dish -to fit into it without rising above its level; this -dish may be filled with honey, and covered with -pieces of paper to prevent the Bees from being -drowned, it may then be placed under the hive -at sunset, and a napkin tied round the bottom of -it, to prevent any of the Bees from making their -escape; in this manner three or four pounds of -honey may be given at one time, so that twice -feeding, it is supposed will be sufficient for any -hive, for if more than this quantity is wanted, the -stock must be joined to another as directed in -Chapter VIII. Should the honey be very thick, -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">- 55 -</span> -a small quantity of warm water may be added to -it, in the proportion of half a pint to three pounds -of honey, observing to mix them well together.</p> - -<p>If the honey be much candied it maybe placed -over a fire for a few minutes till it becomes liquid—another -plan of feeding is to prepare a rim of -straw, or a wooden hoop, the exact size of the hive, -and four inches deep, within which place the dish -of honey, and put the hive over it, making the -union secure with a napkin.</p> - -<p>In the Spring, Bees should be fed sparingly, -three or four ounces of honey twice in the week, -will be found amply sufficient; the easiest method -of giving these small quantities is by a vessel -of tin, upon the same principle as a bird's fountain, -holding about a pound or a pound and half -(see <a href="#hives_8-10">fig. 9.</a>) the projecting trough or mouth, must -be put in at the entrance of the hive, it is one -inch and three quarters wide, and three inches -and a half long, covered with a perforated tin: -this vessel being filled with honey, has only to be -placed in the hive at night, and removed in the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">- 56 -</span> -morning, the feeder itself effectually stopping up -the entrance of the hive.</p> - -<p>Some persons feed their Bees at the top of the -hive, but it is much too tedious and sparing a -way, in my opinion for Autumn feeding, in the -Spring it does very well. This feeder is of wood -with a cover of glass, it has a hole through its -centre, corresponding with one at the top of the -hive, which enables the Bees to pass into it, and -take the honey—I believe it was invented by -Wildman.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">- 57 -</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="chpsum"><i>Food proper for weak Hives.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">I am</span> decidedly of opinion that Bees fed in the -Autumn should have honey, in preference to any -other kind of food. Mr. Huish recommends -"eight pounds of honey, six pounds of water, a -bottle of white wine, and a pound of sugar, boiled -and skimmed, to be bottled for use," he adds, -"the most advisable method is not to make more -than is immediately wanted, because there is some -danger of its fermenting." Now if the Bees are -allowed to store a quantity of this, or any other -similar kind of food in their hives, will it not in -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">- 58 -</span> -all probability ferment <i>there</i> also? this is my reason -for recommending honey only—indeed I have -never seen Bees so healthy as those fed on the -simple mixture of honey and water. In Spring, -other kinds of food may answer very well, as a -small portion only is given at a time, and very -little of it deposited in the combs. A very good -Spring food may be made with honey and sweet -wort, or with raw sugar and sweet wort, boiled -and skimmed.</p> - -<p>The proportions would be, one pound of sugar, -or half a pound of honey, to two pints of strong -wort.</p> - -<p>For feeding weak stocks many things have been -prescribed, but nothing is so proper and natural -as honey, but I dislike feeding altogether, except -a little in the beginning of the year, through the -lateness of the Spring some hives (otherwise sufficiently -supplied) may require it. Early swarms -may also require a little honey when the weather -proves unfavourable for their collecting it the four -or five first days succeeding their being hived, -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">- 59 -</span> -but in both these cases a very small quantity will -be found sufficient. Autumn feeding very rarely -answers the purpose of the proprietor. Uniting -the weak stocks at that season as directed in -Chapter VIII. will be found much more advantageous.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">- 60 -</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="chpsum"><i>Enemies of Bees and means of overcoming them.</i></p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Gelieu</span> says, "that nothing is more prejudicial -to Bees than ignorant attention, their most -formidable enemies are, perhaps, their possessors, -who busy themselves to torment them, and -weaken and kill them by too much care. In -Winter, they hurt them by shutting them up, -and in Spring, the giving them a little honey is -not always attended to, neither is the guarding -them from moths, which, at that time, make the -greatest havoc, nor is the narrowing of the entrances -to prevent them being robbed. Some -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">- 61 -</span> -people suffocate them in Autumn, that they may -possess themselves of their provisions; and others -take out the best of the honey, and often too -much of it, and so expose them to die of hunger.</p> - -<p>"I therefore place, in the foremost rank of -their enemies, those of their possessors, who, by -their own ignorance and inexperience, hinder -them from prospering and multiplying."—To -all this I am sorry to say that I can bear testimony.</p> - -<p>Amongst the enemies of Bees are enumerated, -ants, moths, birds, poultry, mice, wasps, and -spiders. Ants perhaps are their least dangerous -enemies, for though they cannot sting them, they -carry them to a distance.</p> - -<p>Ants may be destroyed by pouring boiling -water into their nests, and the operation will be -greatly assisted by making holes into them with -a sharp stick, so as to allow the water to flow -readily to the bottom of them. Mr. Huish says, -"to preserve my Bees from these vermin, I always -fasten a piece of sheep's skin, with its wool -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">- 62 -</span> -on round the bottom of the pedestal," it has been -said, that these insects dislike both garlick and -shalots and they will not harbour in the ground -in which these vegetables are grown.</p> - -<p>Moths<a id="FNanchor_10" href="#Footnote_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> are by far their most formidable and -dangerous enemies, great numbers of hives are -destroyed by them every year, it therefore requires -the utmost vigilance on the part of the Bee-keeper -to defend his favourites from these most powerful -assailants. It is in the caterpillar state that they -commit their ravages, and it is truly astonishing -to observe the rapidity with which they destroy a -hive, when they get established in it. It must be -observed that hives managed upon the Depriving -System, that are expected to stand for ten, fifteen -or even <i>twenty years</i> are much more subject to -the incursions of moths, than those which are -destroyed every year. The best method of preventing -their increase is the frequent cleansing of -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">- 63 -</span> -the hive floors, for the female generally deposits -her eggs between the hive and the board on which -it stands, or in the dust that accumulates at the -bottom. Upon removing the hive the moths maybe -seen in the <i>larva</i> state upon the floor, and are -easily destroyed. Moths and spiders, says Dr. -Bevan, "should be watched and destroyed, in -an evening, as at that time the former are hovering -about, and the latter laying their snares." -He also recommends a frequent cleaning of the -hive floors.—Huish says, "the butterfly of the -moth that redoubtable enemy of the Bee, appears -in April, and continues until October. Destroy -them as much as possible; frighten not away the -bats which fly about the hives, as they devour a -great number of them." He says also, "I would -always advise an Apiarian to fix his attention -particularly on a hive, the Bees of which appear -to be in inaction, whilst the Bees of other hives -are in activity.—If this inaction continue for ten -days, or a fortnight, not a moment then should -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">- 64 -</span> -be lost in examining the hive, and the ravages of -the moth will soon present themselves."</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_10" href="#FNanchor_10" class="label">[10]</a> Entomology designates two species of wax moths; the greater -is the most common <i>gallerea cereana</i>, and the smaller <i>gallerea -alvearia</i>.</p> - -</div> - -<p>Amongst birds, that little marauder the blue -titmouse, (<i>parus major of Linneus</i>) stands the -foremost as their enemy, for, says Purchas, "she -will eat ten or twelve Bees at a time, and by and -by be ready for more; she feeds her young ones -also with them. She eats not the whole Bee, but -divides it in the middle, pulls out the bag<i>ge</i> of -honey, l<i>i</i>tting drop the skinny outside, in the -spring she watches for them in the willow and -sallow trees, and takes them when they are at -their work." Destroy their nests in breeding time, -and shoot them in winter. Lapoutre, a French -Naturalist, assures us, "that he saw under a tree -in which there was a tom-tit's nest, a surprising -quantity of the scaly parts of Bees, which this bird -had dropped from its nest." Sparrows and swallows -have both an ill name, but I could never observe -any great hurt done by either of them. Poultry -will occasionally destroy Bees, for I once recollect -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">- 65 -</span> -seeing a hen and her brood pay dearly for their -freedom with a hive, the chickens were all stung -to death, and the hen escaped only with her -life.</p> - -<p>From mice, the surest safeguard is the single -pedestal (see <a href="#hives_1-7">fig. 1, 2 and 3</a>).</p> - -<p>The destruction of Queen Wasps in the Spring, -and wasps nests in the Summer, will prove the -best security against these formidable enemies: -Queen Wasps are seen in April and May, and are -very easily captured, every one which is then destroyed, -would probably have been the founder -of a nest, which may be computed at 30,000, at -least.</p> - -<p>In Autumn, it is very common for Bees to rob -and plunder each other's hives the best remedy -for this evil, as well as to guard against wasps, -is to contract the entrances; to effect this object, -I would recommend a copper guard to be attached -to each hive; (see <a href="#hives_8-10">fig. 10</a>, and <a href="#Page_18">page 18</a>.) the -wooden one of Espenasse, as well as Huish's tin -guard, I have found very inconvenient, which induced -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">- 66 -</span> -me to construct the one referred to. It is -made of thin copper and stitched to the hive with -copper wire, it has two sliders, one pierced with -a number of small holes, and the other having -one only, but large enough to allow the passage -of one Bee through it. The advantages of this, -above all other guards, arises from its not projecting -beyond the hive, the alighting board not -being encumbered by it, and the angles formed -by Huish's with the hive, so annoying to the Bees, -being avoided.</p> - -<p>"In a word," says Purchas, "if you desire to -have your Bees thrive, and prosper, keep them -well from winds and wet, heat and cold, <i>destroy -their enemies</i>, and let them enjoy a sufficiency of -food gotten by their own industry; and if there -be a want in some, timely supply them, and doubt -not if, by God's blessing on your endeavours, the -increase and prosperity of your Bees."</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">- 67 -</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="chpsum"><i>Directions for Hiving Swarms.</i></p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Bees</span> managed upon the Depriving System, -rarely swarm and are seldom found clustering at -the mouth of the hive, for every bright hour during -the honey season they seem to turn to profit, -when however Clustering or Swarming takes -place, it generally arises from the Box not having -been put on sufficiently early in the season, or for -the want of a second Box; if a swarm should -from these causes be compelled to leave the hive, -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">- 68 -</span> -let it be put into a new improved Cottage Hive, -(see <a href="#hives_1-7">fig. 3.</a>) in the usual manner.</p> - -<p>I have always adopted the plan of placing my -swarms where they are to remain, within ten or -fifteen minutes after the time of their being hived, -and in this practice Gelieu agrees with me, for he -says, "most people who have Bees allow their -Swarms to remain till the evening in the place -where they have alighted, and do not move them -to the Apiary till after sunset, this method has -many inconveniences.</p> - -<p>As soon as a swarm has congregated in the -new hive, and seems to be at ease in it, the most -industrious amongst the Bees fly off to the fields, -but with a great many precautions. They descend -the front of the hive, and turn to every side to -examine it thoroughly, then take flight, and make -some circles in the air in order to reconnoitre -their new abode, they do the same in returning. -If the Swarm has taken flight in the morning, the -same Bees make several excursions during the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">- 69 -</span> -day, and each time with less precaution, as becoming -familiarized with their dwelling, they are -less afraid of mistaking it, and thus, next morning, -supposing themselves in the same place, they -take wing without having observed where they -have spent the night, and surprised at their return -not to find the hive in the same place, they -fly about all day in search of it, until they perish -with fatigue and despair. Thus many hundreds -of the most industrious labourers are lost, and -this may be entirely avoided, if the Swarms be -removed as soon as the Bees are perceived coming -out—this sign alone is sufficient.</p> - -<p>Sometimes I do not even wait till all the -Bees clustered in front or on the sides of the -Hive, are reunited to their companions in the -interior, as they are never long in being so; -and this plan has always fully succeeded with -me."</p> - -<p>Experience has long since proved, that the -custom of beating warmingpans and the like, at the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">- 70 -</span> -time a swarm leaves the hive is perfectly useless, -as well as the ridiculous practice of dressing the -Hive, as it is called, by drenching it with beer, -honey, fennel, &c.; the former is considered by -persons of observation, actually to prevent the -Bees from alighting so soon as they would otherwise -do; and the latter frequently to compel them -to leave the hive. The best method is to watch -the Swarm in silence, and after it has once collected, -to lose no time in hiving it into a <i>new</i>, -<i>clean</i> and <i>dry</i> Hive. Much time and trouble may -be spared the Bees, if the loose straw be removed -from the interior of the hive, the best method of -effecting which, is to singe them off with a wax -taper, and afterwards to remove them with a hard -brush.</p> - -<p>I have for many years past discontinued the -use of sticks across the interior of my Hives, for -they cause much unnecessary trouble to the Bees -in the construction of their combs; every facility -should be given to a fresh swarm in their labors, -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">- 71 -</span> -for they have much to do, as Dr. Aikin has very -beautifully said for them in the</p> - -<p class="caption3nb">SONG OF THE BEES.</p> - -<hr class="r10" /> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">We watch for the light of the morn to break,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And colour the grey eastern sky</div> - <div class="verse indent0">With its blended hues of saffron and lake,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Then we say to each other, "Awake, Awake!</div> - <div class="verse indent0">For our winter's honey is all to make,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And our bread for a long supply."</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Then off we hie to the hill and the dell,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">To the field, the wild wood and bower;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">In the columbine's horn we love to dwell;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">To dip in the lily with snow-white bell,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">To search the balm in its odorous cell,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">The thyme and the rosemary flower.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">We seek for the bloom of the eglantine,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">The lime, painted thistle, and brier,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And follow the course of the wandering vine,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Whether it trail on the earth supine,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Or round the aspiring tree-top twine,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And reach for a stage still higher.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">As each for the good of the whole is bent,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And stores up its treasures for all,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">We hope for an evening with heart's content,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">For the winter of life without lament</div> - <div class="verse indent0">That summer is gone, with its hours mis-spent,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And the harvest is past recall.</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">- 72 -</span></p> - -<p>And not only do sticks across the hive cause much -unnecessary trouble to the Bees in the construction -of their combs, but render their extraction -almost impossible; for in this System it becomes -necessary, after a Hive has stood seven or -eight years, to cut out part of its combs, which by -that time will have become very black, very thick -and the cells, from the number of Bees hatched in -them, (every one leaving a deposit) much contracted. -The times best suited for this operation -will be March and September; if performed in -March, two leaves of comb may be taken, if in -September, one only; it is a very simple process, -and easily accomplished with the aid of a little -tobacco smoke, and a knife (<a href="#hives_1-7">fig. 6.</a>) which I will -hereafter describe.</p> - -<p>Gelieu says, in 1814, "I have several Stocks -from twelve to twenty years old that are as prosperous -as the young ones, and one stock <i>twenty-five years old</i>."</p> - -<p>I cannot say so much as this, but I do not in -the least doubt the truth of it; fifteen years is the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">- 73 -</span> -longest time that I have kept a stock, and the -reason of my losing it at the expiration of that -period was from the decay of the Hive, it being -badly made and not painted; its annual profit -was never less than forty, and some years, fifty -shillings.</p> - -<p>I would recommend every person who keeps -Bees, to have a few well painted new hives always -by him, that each hive be weighed, and its weight -upon a ticket of lead fastened to it, the board also -upon which the hive stands should be weighed.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">- 74 -</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="chpsum"><i>Description of a knife for cutting out the combs (<a href="#hives_1-7">fig. 6.</a>)</i></p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">This</span> knife, which is so simple in its construction, -and so easily used, deserves to be made -generally known. Gelieu, to whom Apiarians -are much indebted, tells us, that in Switzerland -it is commonly used, and that the combs from -hives of any shape or materials are extracted -without any difficulty. It is formed of a slip of -steel (see <a href="#hives_1-7">fig. 6.</a>) two feet long, by an eighth of an -inch thick, the handle is twenty inches long, by -half an inch broad, the turn-down blade of two -inches in length is spear pointed, sharp on the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">- 75 -</span> -edges, and bent so as to form an angle of 90 -degrees with the handle; the other blade is two -inches long, by one and a half broad, and sharpened -all round; the broad blade cuts and separates -the combs from the sides of the Hive, and -the spear point, which is also sharp on each side, -admits, from its direction and narrowness, of -being introduced between the combs to loosen -them from the top of the hive.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">- 76 -</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="chpsum"><i>Remedies proposed, as cures, for the Stings of Bees.</i></p> - - -<p>"<span class="smcap">The</span> sooner the Sting is extracted," says Dr. -Bevan, "the less venom is ejected, and consequently -less inflammation induced. To alleviate -the irritation, numberless remedies have been proposed, -of the most opposite kind and uncertain -effect; as oil, vinegar, bruised parsley, burnet, -mallow, or the leaves of any succulent vegetable, -(renewed as soon as warm, and probably therefore, -operating by cold alone) honey, indigo dissolved in -water, &c., &c., the most effectual remedy appears -to be Aq. Ammon. or Spirits of Hartshorn, nor -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">- 77 -</span> -is this surprising, when we consider that the -venom of the Bee is evidently Acid."</p> - -<p>I have known both the pain and inflammation -greatly relieved by Laudanum; but for myself I -could never experience the slightest relief from -its application.</p> - -<p>Its effects are very different in different persons -for whilst a single Sting will sometimes produce -alarming symptoms in one person another may -receive many without being inconvenienced either -by pain or swelling; this I am sorry to observe is -not my case, for a single sting causes me the most -acute pain, accompanied by violent swelling and -inflammation, which lasts two or three days; the -above remedies have proved totally ineffectual in -affording me the slightest relief, but I consider -myself very fortunate in having lately met with -almost a perfect cure, and it is as immediate as it -is effectual; I have much pleasure in communicating -it, for notwithstanding every precaution, persons -who are much amongst Bees occasionally meet -with a sting. The method I have of late adopted, -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">- 78 -</span> -by which the pain is instantly removed, and both -the swelling and inflammation prevented, is to pull -out the sting as soon as possible, and take a piece -of iron and heat it in the fire, or for want of that, -take a live coal, (if of wood the better, because it -lasts longer) and hold it as near to the place as I -can possibly endure it, for five minutes; if from -this application a sensation of heart should be -occasioned, a little oil of Turpentine or Goulard -Cerate must be applied.</p> - -<p>During the last three years I have used for myself -and those about me, who might chance to -meet with a sting, a still more effectual remedy -than the above, and as its application is more -simple it is certainly to be preferred. It consists -in applying the least possible quantity of <i>Liquor -potassæ</i> immediately upon removing the sting -either with a fine camel's hair pencil, a sharp pen, -or even with the point of a needle. The venom -of the Bee being an acid, this very powerful -alkali consequently neutralizes it, the pain is instantly -removed and neither swelling nor inflammation -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">- 79 -</span> -follow. Should too large a quantity of -this alkali be used, (as from the hurry in which -it is usually sought after frequently happens) the -part should be plunged into cold water, or a scar -will be the consequence, which will last for some -days. I have found the quicker the application, -the more effectual the cure.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">- 80 -</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="chpsum"><i>Means of preventing the Bees from being stolen, especially -in the Country.</i></p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">I entirely</span> disapprove of Houses of every -description for Bees as a protection against -weather, because they tend in various ways most -effectually to destroy the lives of those valuable -insects, for, as before stated, they form a shelter -for and promote the increase of some of their most -determined enemies; but there are other things -to provide against, not only robbers of their own -species, but those who would carry away hives as, -well as honey, and at the request of a friend who -has twice been deprived of all his hives by this -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">- 81 -</span> -latter description of Robbers,—I am induced to -give what in my opinion is the best kind of house -to answer this purpose, and likely to be the least -injurious to the Bees. It may be sufficiently -wide to allow of six hives with a milk-pan upon -each, to be placed in a line, which will occupy -about eleven feet, its depth may be about twenty-two -inches, the top and ends weather boarded, -the front and back composed of wood or iron -bars, placed so that a small Hive or box will not -pass between them, the front ones may be fixed, -but those at the back must be made to remove, -and secured by a lock.</p> - -<p>At fifteen inches from the ground must be -placed two pieces of wood, about four inches -square, well secured by cross pieces at the ends of -the house and by an upright in the middle, upon -these pieces place the boards on which the hives -stand, sufficient height must be given to allow of -two Boxes to be placed upon a hive, three feet at -least should be allowed.</p> - -<p>Another method of security may be adopted -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">- 82 -</span> -which is equally effective, and as the inconveniences -of a House are avoided perhaps it is the -most preferable. It is to have a stout iron ring -of four inches in diameter, a little flattened at the -sides so as to become oval, worked in the back of -the Hive a little below its centre, when the Hives -are placed in a line upon pedestals of equal height -a chain may be passed through these rings and -locked at each end.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">- 83 -</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="chpsum"><i>Method of Dislodging Bees from Trees or Buildings, -and putting them into Hives.</i></p> - - - -<p><span class="smcap">It</span> very rarely happens that Bees in Buildings -or in Trees survive the Winter, cold and humidity -usually kill them, but the comb and the little -honey remaining in it induces others to visit their -abode in the Spring, and which in all probability -will be followed by a Swarm from some neighbouring -Apiary in May or June, and on this -account Bees are said <i>always</i> to be there, a little -observation will prove the incorrectness of this -statement, and I believe the only criterion by -which it can be proved that Bees have <i>actually</i> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">- 84 -</span> -<i>existed in such places through the Winter</i>, is to see -them carrying in pellets of farina upon their legs -in March and the early part of April.</p> - -<p>The most proper time for dislodging a Stock, -which from having fixed upon some warm and -dry abode, has lived through the Winter, is towards -the end of May or the beginning of June, -but a Swarm ought to be removed upon the day -of its arrival, or as soon afterwards as possible.</p> - -<p>The only method that I can recommend at all -likely to succeed, and which I have found to -answer the purpose, is to lay the combs quite -bare, and then to cut them out one by one, sweeping -the Bees with a feather or the back of the -knife, from each piece of comb into an empty -hive.</p> - -<p>Should the Queen not be observed during this -process, it will be advisable to take a leaf of Comb -that is filled with eggs or brood, and fasten within -side the hive intended for the Bees, that they may -be enabled to make a new one, should their original -Queen have been killed or lost during this -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">- 85 -</span> -operation; for it is now proved beyond all doubt -that they have the power of doing this, provided -they have either eggs or brood in their hive.</p> - -<p>The use of a little tobacco smoke throughout -this operation will be necessary, a cigar in the -mouth of each operator (for there must be two -persons, if not more, engaged in it) will be found -sufficient.</p> - -<p>The Queen Bee may easily be distinguished by -a common observer, her wings are very short, not -extending beyond one half of her body, which is -much longer, and more pointed than that of the -working Bees, her legs are copper coloured, and -her body brown.</p> - -<p>The combs being all removed and the Bees -swept off them into the hive, it must now be put -upon a board and placed exactly where the Bees -entered before they were disturbed, and, if possible, -it should remain in this situation till Autumn, -but its remaining for a week or two is absolutely -necessary; should there be many combs filled -with brood, three or four of them may be placed -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">- 86 -</span> -in the hive, by putting some wooden pegs at the -top of it to keep them at proper distances, and -allowing them to rest upon the hive-board.</p> - -<p>This, however, is a tedious operation and very -seldom pays for the trouble it occasions; for -stocks thus obtained are generally weak and require -feeding, or to be united to others to keep -them alive through the winter. It is therefore -more to the advantage of the proprietor to cause -the combs in trees or buildings, in which Bees -have died, to be destroyed, and the places effectually -stopped up with clay or mortar.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">- 87 -</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="chpsum"><i>Description of Nutt's newly invented Hive, for obtaining -Honey without destroying the Bees.</i></p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">This</span> Hive consists of three collateral Boxes, -(see <a href="#hives_8-10">fig. 8.</a>) the centre one fourteen inches, and the -side ones ten and a half square inside measure, -depth eleven inches; the middle box has a number -of holes in the top three quarters of an inch in -diameter, bored in the circumference of a circle -six inches in diameter, with one in its centre, -over which a glass is placed. The side boxes (<i>aa</i>) -have each a hole of four inches square in the -centre of the top, into which is fitted a piece of -tin pierced with small holes, and in its centre a -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">- 88 -</span> -hole of an inch in diameter, wherein is placed a -tube of tin of the same size, reaching nearly to -the bottom of the Box, and supported by a -shoulder resting upon the square tin, which is -also perforated. This square tin and cylinder -constitute the ventilator, the opening in the -Boxes is covered by a piece of wood, (<i>bb</i>) the -Boxes have each a glazed window (<i>c</i>). The -centre Box communicates with the side ones by a -grating cut in the wood and corresponding with -each other, this communication is cut off when -necessary by sliding tins.</p> - -<p>The method that I have adopted for protecting -this Hive from wet, is to cover the glass with a -common straw hive, upon which a milk-pan is -placed, and each of the side boxes by two pieces -of board eleven inches by fifteen, put together so -as to form an angle of ninety degrees, resembling -the roof of a cottage. The whole should be made -of inch deal and well painted, the board upon -which the three boxes stand must be of two inch -deal and of one piece, except the alighting board, -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">- 89 -</span> -which is nailed on, three strong pieces of two -inch deal will be necessary on the under side of -the board as braces to prevent its warping.</p> - -<p>In this I have differed a little from Mr. Nutt, -because I think the solid board more substantial -and less likely to harbour insects, his being -hollow to allow the bees to escape at the time -of deprivation, when the communication between -the centre and the side boxes is cut off by means -of the sliding tins, for which I have made provision -by having an entrance at the back of each of -the side boxes, to which is attached a copper -slider, (<a href="#hives_8-10">fig. 10.</a>) but without the entrance for a -single Bee.</p> - -<p>The middle Box must be stocked in the usual -way, by hiving a swarm into it, and if the swarm -be not a large one, it will be better to put two -swarms into it as directed in Chapter VIII. -It will be necessary to have both the top and -side tins securely fastened to the centre box at -the time of hiving, and till after the union, when -they may be removed, thereby giving the bees the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">- 90 -</span> -full range of all the boxes as well as of the glass -upon the centre one, nothing further will be required -till the next Summer, except carefully -placing the roofs to defend the boxes from wet.—"Perhaps," -says Mr. Taylor, "there is nothing -more prejudicial to Bees than the moisture they -engender during the Winter season, particularly -after frost, and in certain states of the atmosphere. -It accumulates on the top and sides of the pavilion, -moulding and rendering offensive the combs, -and producing disease. For this reason boxes -with flat roofs have been objected to. I have -tried different experiments to obviate this serious -evil, and have found nothing better than the -practice of condensing the vapour as much as -possible and conveying it away. This I have -done for several years by means of the bell-glasses.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="i_page90" style="width: 219px;"> - <img src="images/i_page90.png" width="219" height="251" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">- 91 -</span></p> - -<p>At the beginning of Winter I place over the -holes on the top of the pavilion, pieces of perforated -zinc, and on these I set the glasses, each -within a circular leaden or zinc trough, open in -the centre. As the exhalation rises from the -warmth below, it is condensed on the glass, and -received, often in considerable quantity, in the -troughs. An imperceptible current of air is thus -produced, of great advantage to the inmates; for -ventilation is as much wanted in winter as in -summer, and particularly when the population is -numerous. The holes at the top of the glasses -may be left open to assist this, for of two evils it -is better to have too much than too little air. -Nor, with good protection from weather, need the -effects of cold be apprehended; for the Bees, (if -not weak in numbers) will always of themselves -generate sufficient warmth, and a dry, cold season -is better withstood than a mild, moist one, particularly -after a good honey year."</p> - -<p>This leaden or zinc trough of Mr. Taylor's exactly -resembles in form the feeder mentioned in -<a href="#Page_56">page 56</a>.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">- 92 -</span></p> - -<p>In the following Summer, when the Bees are -working in the side boxes and the glass, the ventilation -must be particularly attended to, (for -upon this <i>alone</i> depends the success of the hive,) -and here I would especially recommend Mr. -Taylor's ventilator as given in page 25; a small -thermometer should be kept in one of the ventilating -tubes, and when it is observed above ninety -degrees of Fahrenheit, the covers (<i>bb</i>) must be -taken off, and should the temperature of the -boxes be found at, or above a hundred, the perforated -copper slides at the back of the side boxes, -must be used, for if it reaches to a hundred-and-thirty, -a Swarm in all probability will leave the -hive, which next to starvation is most fatal to this -mode of treatment. When either of the side -boxes or the glass upon the top of the centre one -is filled with honey and sealed up, introduce the -dividing tin; if the glass, remove it immediately -thirty or forty yards from the hive without changing -its position, leaving room at the bottom for -the Bees to escape, which they will very soon do, -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">- 93 -</span> -but if either of the side boxes are to be taken -away, open the copper slider at the back of the -box, and in less than an hour from the time of -the dividing tin being introduced, the Bees will -have made their escape and joined the centre box, -it may then be removed, emptied and replaced, -or another may be substituted for it. All operations -must be performed upon a fine and bright -day. The entrance to the centre box should be -opened to its fullest extent, by removing both the -sliders from the first of April till the first of -September.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">- 94 -</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="chpsum"><i>The Apiarian's Monthly Manual, or Hints for the -Management of Bees for every month in the year, upon -the Depriving System.</i></p> - - -<h3>JANUARY.</h3> - -<p>Should the cold be intense, no operation whatever -should be performed on the Bees that requires -the removal of the hives. If snow be on -the ground keep the perforated sliders (<a href="#Page_18">page 18.</a>) -closely down that air may be admitted, but not a -Bee allowed to escape until it be thawed; but -immediately upon the disappearance of the snow -remove the slider, and give them full liberty. I -have known many stocks lost by not attending to -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">- 95 -</span> -this precaution, and more especially after a long -confinement, do not suffer the snow to melt either -upon the covers or hive-boards, but brush it off -every day as it falls. Attend regularly to the -condenser (<a href="#Page_90">page 90.</a>) which to boxes with flat -roofs is a very necessary and useful appendage.</p> - - -<h3>FEBRUARY.</h3> - -<p>Upon a mild day in this month let the floor -board of each hive be cleaned, and a little food -administered, should the stock of honey be very -low. See that the coverings be sound, and that -no moisture comes upon the top of the hives. -Should it be found that any of the hives have -perished, which will sometimes occur, and from -causes which cannot be exactly ascertained, let -them be immediately removed, and the honey -which they contain taken out, and reserved for -feeding those that may require it.</p> - - -<h3>MARCH.</h3> - -<p>Clean the hive-boards again, and should any of -the stocks require feeding, supply them, attending -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">- 96 -</span> -strictly to the directions given in Chap. IX. Towards -the end of this month place a vessel, containing -water, near the Bees, as directed in <a href="#Page_3">page 3</a>. -This also will be found a good time to examine -the pedestals upon which the hives stand, for -after remaining some years in the ground they -are subject to decay at a few inches below its surface, -especially if regard was not paid to the quality -of the timber at the time of fixing them.</p> - - -<h3>APRIL.</h3> - -<p>Clean the hive-boards for the last time, and -supply food, if required, as before directed. The -Wax-moth, that redoubtable enemy to Bees, appears -this month; they may be seen frequently -at twilight running upon the outside of the hives: -destroy them as much as possible, and, as Huish -says, "frighten not away the Bats that fly about -the hives, for they destroy numbers of them." A -full supply of small hives, boxes, glasses and -adapters should now be provided, old ones cleaned, -or new ones purchased. A few large hives also -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">- 97 -</span> -should be ready, for if from inattention to giving -room and ventilation, a swarm should be compelled -to leave their hive, they will be wanted.</p> - -<p>Weak hives are now very subject to an attack -from robbers, the best protection that can be afforded -them is the slider page 18, with the help -of which three or four Bees will guard the entrance -more effectually than many times that -number without it.</p> - - -<h3>MAY.</h3> - -<p>The time will now have arrived for supplying -each stock with a small hive or other receptacle -for honey, as directed in Chap. 4, and should the -season be a favorable one, the supply even of a -second may be found necessary before the end of -the month. Continue to destroy Queen wasps -and hornets, and to watch carefully for moths. -Should the bees of any hive appear inactive at -this time, or should they not be seen to carry in -pellets of farina whilst others are doing it, and -this inaction continue for eight or ten days, lose -no time in examining the hive, and should the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">- 98 -</span> -moths have begun their work of destruction, which -may be known by seeing the combs joined together -by their silken webs, cut away the combs -affected with a sharp knife, and the hive may, -perhaps, be saved.</p> - - -<h3>JUNE.</h3> - -<p>Strict attention should now be paid to <i>room</i> -and <i>ventilation</i>, for, as has been said in page 24, -if both these be carefully observed, <i>swarming may -be prevented altogether</i>. Swarms may now be purchased -as directed in Chap. II. About the middle -of the month, in good seasons, small hives and -glasses may be taken off, full directions for which -may be found in Chap. V.</p> - -<p>At the end of the month look for wasps'-nests -and destroy them; a very easy and effectual -method of doing it is to fill a common squib or -serpent case with a mixture of sulphur and gun-powder, -in equal parts, with a very small quantity -of nitre all finely powdered and rammed very -hard into the case, set fire to it by means of -touch-paper, and when in a state of ignition, stick -it into the hole of the nest and place your foot -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">- 99 -</span> -upon it, when it ceases to burn let a person with -a spade turn out the nest; in this manner a great -number may be effectually destroyed in one night.</p> - - -<h3>JULY.</h3> - -<p>Small hives and glasses must now be taken off -as they are filled and sealed up, (and stored in -cool places, observing to keep them in the same -position as when standing upon the stocks,) and -their places supplied by empty ones. Go on destroying -wasps'-nests.</p> - - -<h3>AUGUST.</h3> - -<p>Continue to take off hives and glasses as they -are filled, but supply no fresh ones, the honey -season being now chiefly over.</p> - - -<h3>SEPTEMBER.</h3> - -<p>Small hives remaining upon the stocks that are -only partially filled with honey may now be taken -off, providing the stock will not be too much impoverished -thereby; wherever the chance of this -presents itself leave them on through the winter, -or until they are emptied by the bees; those partially -filled hives taken from rich stocks may be -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">- 100 -</span> -given to weak ones, now, or in the spring as required. -Robbers will at this time be carrying on -their depredations, and should a serious attack be -observed the sliders must be used as before directed.</p> - - -<h3>OCTOBER.</h3> - -<p>Examine the coverings to the hives that they -be all sound, and that no rain be admitted through -them; the entrances may now be narrowed, if -Taylor's slider be used (page 18) the side with -three openings will be most proper for this season.</p> - - -<h3>NOVEMBER.</h3> - -<p>Clean the floor-boards of the hives, and see that -they stand firmly on their pedestals, contract the -entrance so that only one bee can come out at a -time, for at this season mice are likely to lodge -themselves in the hives.</p> - - -<h3>DECEMBER.</h3> - -<p>The same attentions are necessary this month -as in the two preceding, but if the cold should -be intense the hives must not be removed.</p> - - -<p class="pmt2 pmb2 caption3nb">FINIS.</p> - - -<p class="bdt tdc pmb4">Printed by T. C. Newby, Angel Hill, Bury.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="transnote"> - -<p class="caption3nb">Transcriber Note</p> - -<p>Minor typos corrected.</p> - -</div> - - - - - - - - - - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BEE KEEPER'S GUIDE, CONTAINING CONCISE PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF BEES UPON THE DEPRIVING SYSTEM ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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