1904

=ee- BRITISH BEE-KEEPER’S

{PRACTICAL NOTE-BOOK

BY

THOS. WM. COWAN, FE.L.S., F.G.S., exc.

a es il
io
-) ‘Second Edition.
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ee , (i ees The ‘Cowan’ Rapid Extractor.
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2 LONDON :

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_ § HOULSTON & SONS, PATERNOSTER SQUARE,
a fs - anv ‘BRITISH BEE JOURNAL’ OFFICE,
10 BuoxincHam SrREzr, Srranp, W.C.

arenes (Fe Tea All Rights Reserved.

if

PRICE ONE SHILLING,

New York
State College of Agriculture
At Cornell University

Sthara, N.Y.

Library

British bee—keeper’s practical note-book

| Cornell University

Library

The original of this book is in
the Cornell University Library.

There are no known copyright restrictions in
the United States on the use of the text.

http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924003185802

BRITISH BEE-KEEPER’S
PRACTICAL NOTE-BOOK

FOLLOWED BY A DESCRIPTION OF

THE ‘W.B.C?’ HIVE AND HOW TO MAKE IT, A
HOME-MADE HIVE FROM USED BOXES, HOW
TO BUILD A BEE HOUSE, AND SHORT
RULES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF
MOVEABLE COMB- HIVES.

BY

THOS. WM. COWAN, F.LS., F.G.S., F.R.MS., ere.

Chairman British Bee-keepers’ Association ;
Editor of ‘ British Bee Journal ;’
Author of ‘The Honey Bee : Its Natural History, Anatomy, and Physiology,’
‘The British Bee-keeper’s ide-book,’
‘ Foul Brood and its Treatment,’ ‘ Bees and their Management,”
‘Wintering Bees,’ Doubling and Storifying,’
“ How to Make an Extractor and Bellows Smoker, ete ;
Member of the British A iation for the Ad nt of Science ;
Honorary Member of several Bee-keepers’ Associations.im
Europe and America, etc. etc. ‘ i

Second Edition.

LONDON:
HOULSTON & SONS, PATERNOSTER SQUARE,
AND
‘Brrrish Ber JouRNAL & BeE-KEEPERS RECORD’ OFFICE,
10 Buckineuam Srreet, StRanp, W.C.
All Rights Reserved.

SF

S32

Ce?

B&

ers
CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION .
Taste I.—Darty OBSERVATIONS

» IL—Osservations DURING WINTER

» LII..—Osservations Respecting QUEENS

» IV.—QurEEN ReEaRING .

» V.—NumBER or Broop Comss, &c.

» Vi—Swarms .

» WII.—Propuce oF THE YEAR

», VITL.—Foop Taste.

» IX—AvtumnaL Inspection

» &—WINTeRING TABLE .

» &l.—Inventory or Stocks .

y XlI.—Income anp EXPENDITURE .
Tue ‘W.BC.’ Hive: How to Make Ir
A Home-MavE Hive
How to Burry a Brz-Housz .

Suort Rues FoR GENERAL MANAGEMENT

INTRODUCTION.

HEN a bee-keeper has only a few stocks of bees,
and these are kept for amusement, it matters very
little whether he keeps a note-book or not; but when a
. large number of bees are kept for profit, it is absolutely
necessary that accurate entries be made of all observa-
tions and operations. There being no satisfactory note-
book to assist the bee-keeper in this work, the following
Tables have been arranged in the hope that they may
supply a long-felt want, frequently expressed to the author.
There are sufficient Tables for one year’s entries in a large
apiary, and the moderate price at which this Note-book
is issued will place it within the reach of every bee-keeper.
To those who are in a position to do so, it would greatly
assist the science if they would record observations with
respect to the weather, and for this purpose Tables I. and IT.
will be found useful. At present very little is known as
to the relation of the secretion of nectar in plants in re-
gard to the weather, and if reliable statistics from various
districts could be collected for a number of years, the laws
regulating the production of honey might be discovered.

Most of the other Tables are so simple as to require
no explanation.

Chapters on making hives and bee-houses have been
added in this edition in response to the frequent applica-
tions for this information.

This Note-book is intended as a’ pocket companion for
the bee-keeper, therefore a few rules on general manage-
ment of bees, such as he may require, are given at the
end.

For the complete and practical management of bees in
moveable-comb hives the bee-keeper is referred to the
British Bee-keeper’s Guade-book, by the same author.

10 Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C., Jan, 1904.

4 I—DAILY OBSERVATIONS FROM SPRING TO AUTUMN.

Month of Year
. General account What
Hour. Height of Wind. of the Flowers
Date. . ‘
Barometer.| Thermom. Weather. Ingathering in bloom,
|
1
ee of EXAMPLE FOR FILLING IN ; YEAR 1904,
22 | 9am. | 29.238 | 642 | SH | Clear. | Good, | White

Clover.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

6 L—DAILY OBSERVATIONS FROM SPRING TO AUTUMN.

Month of Year
; General account What
Date. | Hour. Height of Wind. of the Flowers
Barometer.| Thermom. Weather. |Ingathering] in bloom.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

8 L—DAILY OBSERVATIONS FROM SPRING TO AUTUMN.

Month of Year
Height of General account What
Date. | Hour. eigat 0 Wind. of the Flowers
'Barometer.| Thermom,

Weather. Ingatherin in bloom,

|

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

10 I1-DAILY OBSERVATIONS FROM SPRING TO AUTUMN.

Month o Year
Height of General account What —
Date. | Hour. Sight Oo: Wind. of the Flowers
Barometer.| Thermom. in bloom,

|W eather. |Ingathoring

|

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

11

12 I-DAILY OBSERVATIONS FROM SPRING TO AUTUMN.

Month of Year
Height of General account What
Date. | Hour. eight 0 Wind. of the Flowers

Barometer.| Thermom. Weather.|Ingathering] in bloom.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

13

14 1.-DAILY OBSERVATIONS FROM SPRING TO AUTUMN.
Month of Year

: General account What
Height of Wind. of the Flowers
Barometer.) Thermom. Weather. |Ingathering} in bloom.

|

Date. Hour.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

15

16 Il.—OBSERVATIONS DURING WINTER.
Month Year

Observations
made on

Height of ; State of the
Wind.
Weather. | Individual Stocks,

Date. Hour. Barometer. | Thermom.

t

II.—_OBSERVATIONS DURING WINTER. 17

Month Year
Height of ; State of the Observations
Date. | Hour. [p,rometer.|Thermom. | “itd. | “Weather. In ee Stocks

18 IL—OBSERVATIONS DURING WINTER.
Month Year
i Ob: i
Date. Hour. Pee ieee Wind, SWeather® made on

Individual Stocks,

II.—OBSERVATIONS DURING WINTER. 19

Month Year
Height of : State of the Observations
Date. Hour. Barometer. | Thermom. Wind. Weather. made on

Individual Stocks.

20 II._OBSERVATIONS DURING WINTER.

Month Year
: Height of ._.q {State of the| Obs+rvations
Date. | Hour. |parometer. | Thermom. | “i4:|" Weather. made on

Individual Stocks,

IL—OBSERVATIONS DURING WINTER. 21
Month Year

Observations
made on

Aleight of
got oO Wind. ae Md
. ere Individual Stocks,

Date. Hour. Barometer. | Thermom.

22

IIL—OBSERVATIUNS KESPEUTING QUEENS.

Year
When Queen
ipti Age
Be al 7 a aes & | Race. | Size. | Colour|Prolificnes: coer
Mouth. | Day. [24820 J

III.—OBSERVATIONS RESPECTING QUEENS. 23

Year
No. of] Descripti bib ig Age General
OQ. 0) escription] commence: . *
Stock. | of Stock. to Lay. of | Race. | Size, |Colour.|Prolificness| Remarks,

Month. | Day, [¢2ee0

24 IV.—QUEEN REARING.
Year
No. of
tock | Date of Queen-celll Date of
Nuclens} som which} Removal | 2°: | Hatchi Commenced
: tching Race,
No. {Queen-celll of Queen. ee of Queen.) to Lay. ae

removed.

IV.—QUEEN REARING. 25:
Year
No. of
stock | Date of |22e2-C2ll] Hote of
Nuelens| com which] Removal | ,i0¢to- Ha talline Commenced | pacg Remarks
No. {Queen-cellf of Queen. pioady of Queen. to Lay. :

removed.

26 V.—NUMBER OF BROOD COMBS IN STOCK
Month

No. of Stock} 1. 2/3] 4| 5 6 7\s 9 [10/11] 12/18! 14 15| 16) 17

i
i ;

|

T
TT
Sic

EXAMPLE FOR FILLING IN :— :
28 bd ese Ps GE a alee ULL ie Ogee af

WHILE STIMULATING BROOD-REARING. 27
Spring of 190

18 | 19| 20 | 21 | 22 | 98 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 98 | 29 | 30 | 31 onic ona tae

PROC? OR) at os bes Ge pay

28 V.—NUMBER OF BROOD COMBS IN STOCK
Month.
No. of Stock. 2 5 7 8| 9 |10/ 11/12) 18 14 | 18 16 | 17
|
| = a
a
| |
a —————
|
ee i _ ii aed i
: | bid
SS eeegets eaten ae oe ae
|
| ae i
| ee
— ;-— po amet, — es
| | |
ee ne | _
| | |
oh
fu Je
| | :
| | | !
= Prantl -—
eis hetaeee
|
——| | eee Cae eh, gee
| :
Oa i |

WHILE STIMULATING BROOD-REARING.
Spring of 190

29

1819 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 24 | 25 26 | 27| 28 |29|30 31] General Remarks as to

Brood-Rearing, &c.

THU

mol

30 VI._SWARMS.
Year
Natural Artificial
ath No. off Descrip- See Pag eg
onth) Day. Iorcck, Bon of By di. Race. of making

First.

Second|Maiden{Nucleus

vision|

Swarms, &e,

VI.—SWARMS. 31
Year
Natural | Artificial Rewarkaiag
No. cf} Deserip- Swarms. eres to Method
Month| Day. Stock tion of a eens Beak Race. of making
‘| Stock. | Pirst.|Sccond|Ma:den|Nucleusl BY Swarms, &e,

vision

32 VIL—PRODUCE OF THE YEAR 190
Howry anp Wax.
ExtRacTED Honey. Comn Honey, Wax. | Varue,
No. of| fia
Month| Day. Stock | Wei From From a
ight a 1 Ib. | Other Weight
in Ibs, [2nality.| what Isectn |sectn,| jVE&! | in Ibs. 28

|
\
|

VII.—PRODUCE OF THE YEAR 190 33
Honey anp Wax.
ExtracteD Honey. Comr Howry. Wax. VALUE,
No. of
Month) Day. Igtock | weight : From 11 1p. |other| F2°™ [weight a.
in los, [Quality. prnat [Bectn.|Sectn.| WES | in tbs. | ® | &

34 VIIL—FOOD TABLE anp Gunerat REMARKS ON EACH STOCK.
Year

t Description i
Stock. | Month. aca Feeding. ee General Remarks,

’

VIII.— FOOD TABLE anp General REMARKS ON EACH STOCK. 35
Year

No. of Description | Quantity of .
Stock, | Month] Day. | o¢ Feeding, roe iniba: General Remarks.

36 VIII.—FOOD TABLE anp GenzeRAL REMARKS ON EAOH STOOK,

Year

No. of Description tity of
Stock, {Month} Day. | of Peeding. | food nibs. General Remarks,

VIII.— FOOD TABLE anv Gunrrat REMARKS ON EACH STOCK. 37

Year

No. of Description tity of
Stock, | Month] Day. | of Feeding. > lane ae fa General Remarks.

38 VIII.—FOOD TABLE anp GenrraL REMARKS ON EACH STOCK,

Year
No. of Description, tity of
Stock, | Mouth] Day. | of Feeding. Pood nite: General Remarks.

VIII.—FOOD TABLE anv GEneraL REMARKS ON EACH STOCK, 39
Year

Description uantity of
Stock, | Month] Day. | of Feeding. — hee in lbs. General Remarks.

i IX.—-AUTUMNAL
General | No. of] No. of | No. of Narvpan awp | Anrivicraz [Total No,
Year. Remarks {Stocks} Stocks | Stocks Swarms. fOolonies
' * the & in [lostin] i nepared,
ears pring] Winter.JAutamal pirst, Second|Maidenp uclens| Division Wintoring

INSPECTION. 41

PrRopuce In Honny anp Wax. | Value of | Value of Total Total Ex-f Profit per
Produce. | Bees sold. | Income. | penditure, Stock,

Extracted. ]Oomb Honey.

11b, | Other [®™] £] 5.) a.) £

Ist and a £)s/dp £is./d. £]s.] a
Quality. Quality [Section.| sizes.

42 IX.— AUTUMNAL

General |No. of] No. of | No. of Narvgan awp | Axrirician [Total No.’

Year| Remarks Stocks] Stocks | Stocks Swarms. lof Colonies.
‘| onthe i lost inf in prersea
for

in
ee ise : leet ; ‘ fois
ear pring} Winter.jAutumn} nirgt, |Second|Maiden|N ucleus| Division{Wintering

INSPECTION. 43
PRoDUCE In Hongy anp Wax. | Value of | Value of Total | Total Ex- | Profit per
Produce } Bees sold. | Income. penditure.} Stock,

Extracted. {Comb Honey. ; aoe
tet | ona | it, | otmer {V8} 2) aiaf e/sjalelsialelela
Quality.| Quality Section sizes .

44 X.—WINTERING
Put into Winter Quarters Autumn, 190

Day ssid No. of | Description of R United | Description of | No. of | Quanti

Month. | Stock. ive. ace. |wvith No. Wintering. |Frames.| of Food.

TABLE.

45
Eaamined in Spring, 190
D eres aie a Quantity a Oom-
Condition | Condition | Quantit; United | Cause of General
Month of Bees. | of ueen. Jof Brood. Leal toNo.] Loss. Footy, Remarks

46

X.—WINTERING
Put into Winter Quarters Autumn, 190

Description of
Hive.

Race.

United
with No,

Description of
Wintering.

No. of
Frames.

Quantit;
of Food.

TABLE. - 47
Examined in Spring, 190.
f Day Condition | Condition | Quantity Saale United | Oause of Resta General
Month of Bees. } of Queen. }of Brood. remaining} t° No. Loss. Remarks

Feeding.

XI.—INVENTORY OF STOCKS,

Year
"ar: Cost of len z | Present Value of
en Race. | Hive. Bees. | ‘Stock. | Hive. » Bees. | Remarks,

£(s (df £] 5.) a) 2) 5.

ad.f£| sid. Z\ a,

XIL.—INVENTORY OF STOCKS. 49.
Year
= Oost of ee He Present Value of | _
No eee Race. | Hive. } Bees. Stock. Hive. y Bees. | Remarks.
“Por PS] sla] (aL stab 2) sj ape) «a ae
_—— | — | — J —_— | — | —F — | — | —*— | — | — J —' — fr

50

Year

XIIL—INCOME AND

Month,

Day.

ReCEIPTS,

£ is

Ta
a,

EXPENDITURE. :

Year

51

Month,

Day.

EXPENDITURE.

52

Year

XII._INCOME AND

Month.

Day.

RECEIPTS.

53

EXPENDITURE.
Year
Month, | Day. EXPENDITURE, £ da.

( 54 )

THE ‘W.B.C.’ HIVE.

How to Make ir.

Tue long-continued favour with which the hive designated as
above has been regarded shows no signs of decrease though more
than a dozen years have passed since it was first brought to publie
notice. Nearly every bee-appliance maker in the kingdom pro-

The ‘W. B, C,’ Hive,

minently illustrates the ‘ W. B.C.’ in his catalogue ; and although
some makers, naturally desirous of keeping up to date, have added
‘non-swarming’ and various other so-called improvements,® the
original more than holds its own as a hive for general use. A
striking proof of this fact occurred at the ‘ Royal’ show of the

( 55 )}

year 1903, when the judges (one of whom was Mr. T. W. Cowan)
awarded the first. prize in the class for most ‘complete hive for
general use’ to the original ‘W. B. C.,’ though staged alongside
hives of the same type—and by the same makers, among others—
with ‘improvements’ added.

So much then for its past history. And if further corroboration
of what is stated above were needed, the fact of the following par-
ticulars descriptive of the hive in question having been reprinted
four times, and as often sold out, surely affords it. It has there-
fore been decided to append them to this second edition of the
Bee-keepers’ Note Book, for the. use of those wishing to make the
hive for themselves :—

Beginning with the Floor-board (Fig. 1), the boards forming it
are 4 in. thick, tongued and grooved where joined, and nailed on to
stout battens, 24 in. deep by 14 in. wide. Between the points at

Fig. 1.—Floor-hoard.

A on sketch it measures 20in., and the width across at B is 193 in.
The alighting-board projects 7 in. beyond the point A. The form
of the entrance, as seen in sketch, explains itself; it is 15} in.
long by 4 in. high.

The Outer Case; including roof, is in three parts, the first of

Fig. 2.—Outer Case.

which is as seen (Fig. 2). The front and back boards are 19} in.
long, 8% in. wide, and } in. thick, Sides, 19 x 8 in. of -in stuff

( 56°)

Inside measure, when nailed up, 18 in. across the front, 19 in. from
front to rear. A plinth, 1} in. wide, drops 3 in. below the surface
of floor-board to carry off wet. The slides for entrance are of
$-in. wood, 10 in. long by 1} in. wide, and pass through a slot cut
in the outer case along the guide-piece nailed across the front,
below porch. The latter extends along the whole front, and is
43 in. wide, with a groove cut in its lower edge to carry off drip.
The second portion of the outer case is simply a ‘ lift,’ 64 in. deep,
wood same thickness as lower part, and needs no explanation beyond

Fig. 3,—Lift,

reference to Fig. 3. This ‘lift? may be removed to reduce the
height of hive for winter, but we leave it on always; it keeps off
cold winds when examining hive in the early season, and forms a
roomy covering for plenty of top packing, de.

The oof is very simple, formed with a view to lightness, and
being thoroughly rainproof. The sketch (Fig. 4) will make the
main points in its construction plain; for the rest, the front and
back pieces are 4 in. thick, 202 in. long, 24 in. deep at ends,
rismg to 3} in. in the centre or ridge; sides are of 4-in, stuff,
204 in. long, 2} in. deep. Along the lower edge of side-pieces a.
rabbet is cut 2x4 in. deep. This allows the roof to slip over the

~ | Fig. 4.—Roof,

lower portion of the outer case, and so dispense with a plinth while
effectually keeping out the wet. The top of roof is of 4 in. wood,
each piece being 24x12 in., and they meet in the centre, the
ridge-piece (of 3 x Zin. stuff) being cut on the under side to cover
the ‘joint as shown, ‘so that no water can possibly get in. Hand-

(SF)

holes in each part, for lifting, complete the outer case, and we need
only add that each of the separate parts fit ‘easily over the:other

—no ‘tightness’ anywhere so long as bees cannot enter from
outside.

The Body Bow (Fig. 5) is 144 x 158 in. inside measure; it
holds ten standard frames and a division-board (or dummy), along
with two strips of thin wood, 8 in. wide and 164 in. long. The
front and back boards are § in. thick, 158 in. long, by 8 in. wide ;
side pieces, 17,7, in. long, 9 in. wide, and 2 in. thick; the strip of

Fig. 5.—Body-box.

‘wood D (163 x 12 x 4 in.) nails on the outside to enclose the frame
ends as shown. Prior to nailing on this strip, a piece of wood
(32 X $54; in.) is secured in position level with the top edge of
front and back boards, along which are nailed the tin angle-pieces,
forming the ‘metal runners’ whereon the frames—fitted with
“W. B.C.’ ends—work.

The Shallow Frame Bow, or surplus chamber (Fig. 6) is an
exact counterpart of body-box with two exceptions: first, the
‘depth is reduced by 3 in.; second, the front and back boards are

Fig. 6.—Shallow Frame Box.

only 152 in. long. The capacity of this box is ten shallow frames
5}:in, deep, with ordinary ends, and two thin slips of wood, or
eight similar frames fitted with wide ‘ W. B.C.’ ends.

( 58 )

The hive, as described, is without legs, and we use the Stand
(Fig. 7). To a casual observer, the stand is simply four legs and
four side-pieces nailed together, and will perhaps suggest.a very

=

—

i

Fig. 7.—Stand.

fragile, shaky affair. But it is as firm and rigid almost as if
made of cast iron, and the secret of this firmness is in the peculiar

way in which the leg is cut, and the ‘collar’ of wood
fitted on to it.
To any one who understands the use of a bevel, the
sketch (Fig. 3) of one leg here given ex-
_ plains itself to a joiner, but the amateur
may require a few words of explanation.
So let him take a piece of scantling
3 x 24 in, and cut up into lengths, as
sketch (Fig. 9), according to the number
and height of the stands required.
He then arranges the Jegs in pairs
and marks them off with the bevel,
to give a ‘splay’ of about 24 in.
from the corners, so that, when cut,
the legs are ‘ splayed’ outwards on all

Fig. 8

sides. The idea will be seen in dia-
gram (Fig. 10), and when the ‘ collar ’"—
made from 3 in. stuff, ‘| and 24 in. wide—
is nailed on, and the stand completed asin
sketch (Fig. 7), given ‘above, there is a re- |

sisting ‘set’ of the legs ™e.10. from whichever side

pressure is used, Stands must be made to fit the floor-
boards used.

ee

WWW
Fig. 9.

The ‘eke’ (Fig. 11) may be described as a slice, 3 in. deep,
from the lower side of the body-box (Fig. 5), and, beyond stating
that the four slips of wood shown on the upper edge are for keeping

( 59 )

it in position when fixed, the sketch explains itself. This ‘ eke’
may be used for giving space below combs in winter, and, having
served this purpose, by reversing and setting it above frames in

Fig. 11.—' Eke.’

early spring, it helps in ‘tucking in’ additional warm wrappings.
Finally, when set below the shallow frame box (Fig. 6), it converts.
the latter into a full-sized brood-chamber for standard frames.

January 1904. W. B. oO.

In the foregoing somewhat lengthy description we have given
full details of the ‘ W. B.C.’ hive, in order that there may be no
mistake with regard to the form and measurements of its various
parts. It was absolutely necessary to do this in view of the
numerous so-called ‘W. B.C.’ hives now on the market, differing
more or less in important details to such an extent that we decline
to acknowledge the right of makers to so designate them. i:

At the same time we admit the difficulty some amateur joiners
will find in working out a necessarily long array of figures and frac-
tions of inches, The same thought evidently occurred to our friend
Mr. Robert Peebles, of Edinburgh, an experienced bee-keeper, who
himself used no other hive but the one in question. Anyway, Mr,
Peebles some years ago kindly took the trouble to write for publica-
tion in the British Bee Journal an alternative plan, which would
_not only overcome the difficulty, but, as he said, would render ‘the
making of a “‘ W. B. C.” hive as plain as A BC,’

We therefore append Mr. Peebles’ plan—with his own illustra-
tions—as described by himself.

Mr. Prersres’ Puan or Maxine a ‘ W. B.C.’ Hive.

In order to assist those who are able and willing to help them--
selves in constructing a ‘ W. B, C.’ hive, I have prepared a plan and

( 60 )

‘two sections, drawn to the accompanying scale, which will, I believe,
‘place the details and measurements of this most useful hive within
the power of any such to comprehend or, indeed, commit to memory
while working.

D
PLAN. ee eee Ab eidaes sexe pues x
tokens ------ (8"------ 3 :
i | Raseese [ele <----
t 1 , 1 —> oe. 7”
! m4
——— ri
i
! - oe
( nd he as e
1 —
A \ a ee
Y
' aa
\ i |
i} '
a NP 1
LZ Leonel
=
Cc

Keeping strictly in view the original description as given by
the designer, and avoiding technicalities and fractional parts of an
inch as much as possible, the principal dimensions will, for all
practical purposes, be found correct. The outline tracings are

.

‘'y2ins, ins, 0 ScaLE. 1ft. aft.

‘Ins. Feet.

; | |
TTT ET

from drawings of my own hives, made in 1892, and the following
-description applies to them :—

The floor-board, covering~of roof; casings, body and surplus-
boxes, are made of selected American yellow pine half an inch
thick: off the saw, and if cut with the perfection of nowadays, all
the dressing required is a skim over with a hand-plane to remove
the saw marks. If this is attended to, it will be found, when the
hive is put together, that the outside sizes marked on plan tally

(, GL},

with the principal inside dimensions originally given by ‘ W. B. C.
himself.

The frames of the stand and roof, as well as the hive proper, are
dovetailed (not simply nailed) together. Where required screws.
are alone used, and these are previously dipped in paint, the over-
laps and plinths being screwed from the inside. Where the wood
overlaps, it gets two coats of white or red lead and oil previously.
There are no hand-holes, the plinths of the case and the ledges on

Section on line A.B.

boxes filling the requisite. The plinths are bevelled on inside edge
as shown. It will be observed that the end-pieces or kerbs are also
half an inch thick ;, this is necessary for hinging the narrow flaps -
to—one of which is shown partly open—the other shut down.
These flaps are used primarily for covering the exposed ends of top-
bars, and for keeping the surplus chambers in position.

I have great pleasure in preparing the tracings and description
for your personal consideration and for the benefit of your readers,
My desire has been to make everything simple and easy to under- -

( 62 )

stand by an amateur joiner of ordinary intelligence. For myself, I
will grudge no labour of mine if it will help to make the ‘ W. B. C.’
hive properly and easily understood. When the description and
drawings of the hive first appeared in print I at once detected a

O

Section on line 0.D.

few slips, easily remedied by a practical joiner; but the thing most
needed was sectional drawings to explain things without so many
detailed measurements. I therefore say, Why cannot the ‘ W. B.C,
hive be made as plainas ABO? Jt shall!

Ropert PEEBLEs.

( 63 )

A HOME-MADE HIVE.
ConstRuUCTED FROM Uszep Boxes.

By Harry Ciarxe,

Use boxes are not, as a rule, advocated for the making of bee-
hives, I know, on account of the joining up required if the wrong
sort of boxes are used ; but from the right sort of boxes very good
hives can be made.. I enclose a photograph of one made by myself
from boxes (see page 64), and, as will be seen, no paint has been
used to hide imperfections.

The boxes used are:—(1) An egg-box; (2) lobster-box; and
(3) ‘Quaker Oats’ box. The cost of the boxes is 1s. 1d,

The Stand.—Cut four pieces from the thickest board of an egg-
box, 26 in. long and 44 in. wide. Put the pieces in pairs and nail
each pair together ; then at one end cut slanting from 2 in, at the
bottom to full width of the board at the top, far enough back to
allow a 6-in. alighting-board to be nailed on. Then cut two pieces
and nail together to form the crosspiece at the back, measure from
the back 194 in., and fill up to the alighting-board with another
piece of the egg-box.

Floor-board.—For this take the end of a ‘Quaker Oats’ box,
and after cutting off the dovetail ends cut two pieces from the other
end of the box and nail on to the sides; this will not only make the
floor-board the full width, but will keep it from twisting. Cut out
entrance in the centre of the front, # in. deep by 9 in., and back
into the floor-board about 2 in., then gradually slant up to level.

Outer Case.—Take the four cross-pieces of the egg-box.; these
will be found to measure 94 by 193 in. by Zin. Cut two pieces
18 in. long, and two pieces 194 in., and after planing nail them
together, forming a bottomless box 194 in. square. Then cut from
the sides of the egg-box three pieces, 3 in. wide, to form plinths
for the back and sides of the outer case; these serve the double
purpose of keeping the floor-board in position, and preventing the
body-box from being moved out of its place in rough weather.

The entrance-slides can be made by cutting one piece of wood
4 in. wide, and one piece 14 in. wide, nailing together, so as to
form a rabbet. Nail on to the front of the hive, level with the

bottom of the outer case, and fit two pieces to slide in the groove,
For the porch, cut two small brackets, and nail on a board 194 in.
long by 4 in. wide.

Body-bow (or Brood-chamber).—Take the four pieces of the
lobster-box measuring 9} in. ty 20 in., cut two pieces 8% in. by
17} in., and two pieces 84 in. by 16 in., the latter to be chamfered
on the top edge. Nail these at equal distances from each end of
the longer pieces, so that the inside measurement is 144 by 16 in.

Hive made from Used Boxes.

This is important. The space to the end of the side pieces can be
filled up with the picces cut off in reducing, nailing them a little
lower than the chamfered edge to form a finger-hold ; and two other
pieces about 2 in. wide, nailed up to the end to keep the frames in
position, finishes the body-box.

Inft. —Take one of the 6-in. pieces of the ege-box, and make
another bottomless box, the same Pate measurement as the outer
case of the body-box, but with plinths nailed on all round.

Roof. —Cut two pieces from the side of the egg-box, 20 in, long
and 4 in. wide; also two other pieces, 64 in. by 192in. Mark the
centre of the latter, and cut off slanting to 4 in. deep on each side;
then nail the four pieces together. or the top, use the two sides

( 65 )

of a ‘Quaker Oats’ box, measuring 1 ft. by 2 ft., and a further
piece 2 in. wide, nailed along the ridge, to prevent apy wet getting
through the join. This will fit over the lift or body-box, and, to
prevent it going too far down, four small strips abongl, be: nailegl
inside, about 4 in. from the bottom.

HOW TO BUILD A BEE-HOUSE,
By ‘A. Worker Bes.’ ‘

For details of construction to accompany the sketch-plan sent,
lam afraid that I should find it an easier job to. build the house
than tell how it should be done. I say this because J am more used
to handling tools than the pen, so please correct mistakes. First
then we take the floor : ‘-—(1.) Get two lengths of stuff 7 ft. 10} in. by
4in. by 2in.; mark off 2 in. from each end for mortise 1 in. thick in
centre of 4in. way. (2.) Next take two pies 5 ft. 104 in. by 4 in.

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by 2 in., mark 2 in. off each end; cut tenon to fit mortises. Knock
together. (8.) Get two pieces of batten 14 in. by $ in.; nail’ on
inside bottom edge to take the ends of middle joist. ‘Cut three 4 in.
by 2 in. to fit between, so that the top edges come level ; fasten all
firmly together. Keep all rounding edges upward. (4.) Give a coat
of black varnish all over. Lay on 7 in. by 1 in. tongued and grooved
square-edge matchboards and fasten same down. We now come to
the front :—(5.) Take two pieces 2 in, by 2 in. red deal 6 ft. long ;
mark off 2in. each end and oné 2 in. in centre, and mortise same,
then take three rails 2 in. by 2 in. » 7 ft. 10$ i in.; tenon these ends; ;
g

( 66 )

drive well together. Our next job (6) deals with the back of house.
For this use two pieces 8 ft. long; mark off 2 in. each end, 2 in. in
centre. We then need three rails same length as front; tenon and
drive these together. Finally we come to the ends of our house.
For these cut three pieces 5 ft. 64 in. for end opposite door. On
the inside of these screw an iron angle-bracket.

Put these latter so that when the back and front are in place
the respective squares can be screwed to the rails of back and front
end, one of which has the door in it. (7.) Cut one’piece 5-ft."64-in.

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Fig. 2.—Euevation,

board, find centre, and mark off width of door each side; the door is
four boards wide, 7.¢., two boards in width on each side of centre ;
mortise for uprights; tenon uprights to fit. Bore a small hole in
bottom of uprights (to take a 4-in. iron pin), and bore hole in floor
to correspond ; then screw two more of the angle-brackets to end of
this rail. (8.) Place floor where itis to stand on four bricks.
Fix up the front and back on it, and stay them in their places.
Screw the end rails up in position. The framework will now be
in its proper place. Get some pieces of 2 in. by 2 in. scantling
for rafters; notch them a little to bear on front and back (do
not nail them down) ‘You will now need a few cabin-hooks and
eyes, and these must be fastened on so as to be easily hooked or
: :

( 67)

unhooked. Nail on $-in. matchboards, letting them project over
the frame 2 in. each way.

Be careful that an extra rafter is placed 4 in. from each end of
frame, and that the roof-boarding is only fastened to this so that
the roof may be lifted off if required for the purpose of shifting.
Nail Zin. boards on back, well painting tongues and grooves wher-
ever the wood bears against rails. Repeat-these directions with the
end opposite door, except that the last board on each side must be
screwed, and on no account must the boards be nailed to joists. For
front get a 4 ft. long by 2 ft. 10 in. high, 3 in. by 24 in. casement
or window frame, hung in centre on pivots so as to swing the sash

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Racks /§

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| Racks kg f.

Fig. 3 —Sxcrion at A, B.

round easily. Rebate it round the thickness of board ; fix in centre
of top half; board it round. The end for door is made in the same
way, except that the two outside boards are screwed.

_ It will then be seen that the frame of house rests with bottom-
rails on floor; framework to be made so that the outside of frame
is flush with outside of floor. The 3-in. boards will then cover
frame and sides of joists, and also keep the whole thing rigid. The
floor carries the whole weight of house.

If constructed like this, one will be able to take the house to
pieces for moving if required. The door is made to suit opening,
fitted with rim-lock, and hung with 1-in. T-hinges. Door is shown
as opening inwards in sketch, but it might be more conveniently

( 68 }

opened outwards to give extra room. Under the window inside fix
a bench, as shown, consisting of three widths of 7-in. by 1-in,
tongued matchboards ; under this two shelves, as shown, are made of
1}-in. by $-in. battens; nail on to ledges leaving a space between
each batten; fix bottom shelf 3 in. above floor, the other midway; fill
up space from bottom shelf to floor with strip of wood; hang two long
narrow doors to close openings between shelf; fit them nicely, and
when complete this makes a good place to keep extracting-frames
and sections; a few balls of naphthaline are placed under bottom shelf ;
fix shelves to back on brackets; make all inside fixtures removable.

Att | |

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[-7-Door -+--

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Big. 4.—SIDE VIEW.

In corner fix up a small platform 1 ft. high, 24 in. square, for
extractor to stand on. Two brackets of wood 2-in. by 1-in. are
next wanted. Hinge them on to a piece of 2-in. by 1-in. stuff, and
screw this against back, letting one be an inch higher than the
other, and fixing them about 3 ft. 10 in. apart. Then get a piece
of white wood 4 ft. 6 in. long by 17 in. “wide, and in this make
V-grooves 2 in. apart, cut lengthways. Screw some small brass
plates on its edge. When done, place this on the brackets for a
draining-board to stand boxes of shallow frames on after being
through the extractor. It can also be used as an * uncapping-stand.’
Cover the draining-board with a couple of coats of pure shellac
varnish, and then it will be able to be kept clean with little trouble.

'

( 69 )

- SHORT RULES

FOR THE GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF
MOVEABLE COMB-HIVES.

I.—SPRING.

Dvurine favourable weather at the end of March, take the
opportunity of examining and ascertaining the condition of every
hive. Contract the sizeof the hive with division-boards, so that
the bees have only as many combs as they can occupy. Examine
each comb as it is removed, and ascertain the presence of the
queen. If she has commenced to lay, she may be further
stimulated by uncapping some of the honey-cells. Gentle feeding,
either with syrup or flour-candy, should also be resorted to if the
bees are likely to run short of food. If the colony is found
“queenless, unite it to one having a fertile queen. Should the
‘queen be a drone-breeder, she should be destroyed, and the bees
united to another colony. Keep the hives well covered and warm,
and disturb as little as possible. Take care only to open on warm
days, so as not to chill the brood. As brood increases and the
hive gets crowded with bees, breeding may be further stimulated
‘by spreading the brood very cautiously, and continue gentle
feeding with liquid food. It is better to give the food at night,
to prevent robbing ; also, for the same reason, open hive-entrances
only in proportion to the strength of the colony. When warm
weather induces frequent flights, provide a drinking-trough for
the bees, and induce them to visit this by adding a little honey
and salt to the water. Provide artificial pollen as long as the bees
will take it. As breeding and the strength of the colonies.
increase, equalise the stocks by removing frames of brood from
those having an abundance, and giving them to weaker ones.

( 70 )

Fill the empty spaces caused by the removal of these with empty
comb or comb-foundation. It takes about six weeks to build up a
colony of sufficient strength to take advantage of an early flow
of honey. Prepare for queen-rearing early in April, according to
the instructions given in the British Bee-keeper’s Guide Book.
In the beginning of May, if the weather be favourable, the
winter chaff packing may be removed, and the frames and bees
transferred to clean hives, giving them also clean floor-boards.
Continue gentle feeding until the incoming honey exceeds the
daily consumption. Be on the look-out for foul brood, and if
present commence treatment with naphthol beta and naphthaline
as directed in Guide Book without delay.

IT.—SUMMER.

Prepare racks of sections for use by putting comb-foundation
in the boxes, and when the bees begin to store honey in large
quantities place frames of sections with separators at the side of
the brood-nest, and as soon as the foundation in these becomes
drawn out, they can be removed with the adhering bees and
put into the rack on the top of the hive. This will induce the
bees to take to the supers more readily. As fast as any of the
sections on the top are completed, they should be removed and
stored away in crates. Two or even three racks of sections may
be worked at the same time. Towards the close of the season the
sections may be finished off in one rack. To prevent the bees swarm-
ing, give them additional room in advance of their requirements.
Extract when necessary to relieve the brood-combs of superfluous
honey, and give the queen room for laying. Should the bees persist
in swarming, remove all the combs, give frames of comb-foundation,
and return the swarm; this will generally stop the swarming
fever, and not interrupt the work in the sections. Double those
colonies intended for extracting, and extract at suitable intervals.
Make artificial swarms if required, and check swarming by
cutting out queen-cells, extracting honey, and removing frames
-of brood.

( 71)

TII.—AUTUMN.

Examine all hives, feed when necessary, and unite all weak
colonies. Introduce queens to queenless stocks, and if necessary
to reduce the number of frames, leave only as many as the
bees can well crowd, and close up with division boards. About
25 to 30 pounds of food stores would be sufficient to leave, and
extract all unsealed stores beyond a couple of pounds or so. Cut
winter passages through the combs, and make passages over the
frames by placing sticks under the quilts. Place warm cover-
ings above frames, and reduce the size of entrances. Prepare
honey for market, sort the sections into first and second quality,
and put into crates holding twelve to twenty-four. Put the
extracted honey as soon as possible into jars, before it begins to
granulate, and label neatly.

IV.—WINTER.

If properly attended to in the autumn, the bees ought not
to be disturbed until the spring. Shade the entrances of hives,
and prevent the sun’s rays entering to entice the bees to come
out. Guard against the attack of birds and mice. Clean and
prepare hives for spring use, and purchase or make any new
apparatus required, so as to be in readiness in the spring. Boil
up old combs and extract wax.

Should feeding have been neglected in the autumn, place a
good-sized cake of soft candy above feed-hole in quilts, or under
the quilt over the cluster of bees.

For full information upon working Moveable Comb Hives, read
and study the British Bes-keeper’s Guide Book, by the same
author.

As a knowledge of the natural history and habits of the honey
bee is of the greatest assistance to the bee-keeper in his practical
work, he is recommended during the winter months to study The
Honey Bee: its Natural History, Anatomy, and Physiology, by
the same author.

London : Printed by StrancEways 4nD Sons. Tower Street Cambridge Circus. W.C.

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i caueranis wing [arta For use in Hives as a Preventive of Infection. In boxes, 15.
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NAPHTHOL BETA. For use in Nib Bee Food. 1s, per packet post free.
SMALL ARTICLES FOR BEE-KEEPERS’ USE.

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THE ‘REID’ GLASS HONEY-TASTER, Incase. 1s. post free.

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