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PHELPS’ BEE-KEEPER’S CHART;
BRIEF PRACTICAL TREATISE

ON THE

INSTINCT, HABITS AND MANAGEMENT

OF THE

HONEY-BEE,

IN ALL ITS VARIOUS BRANCHES.

THE RESULTS OF MANY YEARS’ PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE, TO RENDER BEE-KEEPING
LESS DIFFICULT, AND AT THE SAME TIME MORE SURE, PROFITABLE
AND PLEASANT THAN IF HAS FORMERLY BEEN.

BY E. W. PHELPS,

INVENTOR AND PATENTEE OF THE OHIO COMBINATION BEE-HIVE.

NEW YORK:

Ge- M3 SAXTON, AGRICULTURAL BOOK PUBLISHER,
152 FULTON STREET \

1854. E

Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1853, by
E. W. PHELPS,
in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States for the District

of Massachusetts.
Berek ) ne a

Se
E. 0. JENKINS, PRINTER AND STEREOTYPER,

114 NASSAU STREET, N. YORK.

CONTENTS.

PAGE.
PREFACE, ‘ : : ° x ‘ ° - 5
Cuap. I1.—Introduction, ‘ : : 4 : - 9
TI.—The Queen Bee, . E - Q ‘ 10
I1J.—The Operation of Laying, . p - Lt
IV.—The Development of the Brood, 12
V.—The Working Bee, 15
Vi.—tThe Drone, , 17
Vil.—Longevity of Bees. Ce Bapeviy of the Gaced! 19
VIlL.—The Apiary.—Influence of the morning sun beneficial._—
22

Out-door Apiary,

IX.—Hives.—Bee-Hives.— Weeks’ vemnous rive. ogeaieine
and Subtended Hives—Bevan’s Cross-Bar Hive.—
Collateral Hives.—Nutt’s Collateral Hive. —Miner’s
Hquilateral Cross-Bar Hive. A

X.—Formation of Swarms, ;

XI.—Symptoms prior to Swarming. ie ey aa to a se-
cond Swarm,

XII.—Hiving Swarms. 2 piper ation of ees for the fecoption

of Swarms,
XIiL.— Artificial clustering shah or branes:
XIV.—Hiver, :

XV.—Different swarms cating
XVIL—Uniting second or weak swarms, :
XVIL—Reunion of the parent stock with a aceon or third
swarm,
XVIII.—Equalizing Colonies. he Oe consist of Bees of all ace
XIX.—The conversion of the Egg or Larva of a worker to a
Queen,

XX.—Formation of Artificial crea ciis : : -
(3)

56
57

lv CONTENTS.

Cuap. X XJ.—Massacre of Drones,

XXII.— Driving or dislodging Bees,
XXIIiI.—Spring Management,
XXIV.—Summer Management,

XXV.—Fall Management,
XXVI.—Wintering Bees,

XXVIL.—Feeding Bees,
XXVIUI.—Wax made from Honey
XXIX.—Architecture of Bees,
XXX.—Sight,
XXXI.—Pollen or Bee-Bread,
XX XII.—Propolis,
XXXIII.—Pasturage,
XX XIV.—Purchasing Bees,
XXX V.—Transporting Bees,
XXXVI.—Bees in large towns or cities,
XXX VII.—How the Bees may be driven from ces
XXXVIII.—V entilation, i
XXXIX.—-Disease of Bees and Br att
XL.—-Tools for cutting Combs.—Pruning,
XLI.—To extract Honey from the Combs,
XL II.— Bees-Wax, ; ,

XLIII.—Bee Dress,

XLIV.—Cure for Bee Stings,

XLV.—Salt and Water necessary,

XLVI.—Remarks,

PREFACE.

In presenting to the community this brief treatise on the manage-
ment of the Honey Bee, and the construction of Bee-Hives, the au-
thor is not vain enough to suppose that it will meet the views of
every Bee-keeper in all respects, for he is well aware that there is
scarcely any subject on which such a diversity of opinion exists, as
on the form and size of bee-hives, and the general management of
bees. But from the universal satisfaction the Ohio Combination Bee-
Hive has given, during the last four or five seasons, in several hun-
dred instances, where it has had a thorough trial, and the high com-
mendations it has received from a large number of the best practical
bee-keepers in the State of Ohio, where its merits are known, the
author is led to believe that when this hive is once brought before
the public and its advantages made known, it will supersede all
others, and render the culture of the Honey Bee far more sure and
profitable than it has formerly been, and divest it of much that has
been perplexing and difficult to understand, and overcome; and, at
the same time, much more pleasant and interesting, to every one that
has a taste or desire to engage in the culture of this most wonderful
and interesting little insect, which has attracted the attention of phi-

losophers and naturalists, and called forth the admiration of wise men
5

vi PREFACE.

and poets of all ages, and whose ‘mysterious operations are calculated
to raise our thoughts to Him who creates and sustains all things.

“The industrious Bee has ever been viewed by intelligent natural-
ists as an interesting species of insects, and the fruits of its industry
as among the choicest productions of nature,” and affording a most de-
licious luxury to the human race.

This treatise is intended rather as an accompaniment to the “ Ohio
Combination Bee-Hive:” but while giving directions for constructing
and using the Hive, the author has thought it might not be considered
out of place to give his views on the general management of bees, and
the construction of bee-hives, which are the results of more than twenty
years’ experience, during which period he has devoted a large amount
of time and expense in experimenting with hives of various forms and
sizes, and improving every means in his power to gain all the infor-
mation possible from others engaged in the culture of bees. And
while studying the instinct and habits of the bee, to combine in one
hive as many requisites as possible, suited both to the wants of the
bee, and convenience of the apiarian. And the inventor has now
the pleasure and satisfaction of knowing that the ‘‘ Ohio Combination
Hive” does receive the unqualified- approbation of ninety-nine out of
every hundred bee-keepers that have given it a trial or examination.

The inventor would here state that in bringing this hive before the
public at this time, that it is no new untried experiment, but that it
has stood the test of four or five seasons in several hundred instances,
and that many that have used it during that period, have testified
that the longer they use them the better satisfied they become of
their great utility and superiority over every other hive known to
them. In my remarks in the following pages on the physiology of
the bee, I am indebted to a considerable extent to Huber and Dr.
Bevan, both of whom stand high as Naturalists and Apiarians, where-

PREFACE. vil

ever they are known. I have availed myself also of the information
of several American authors, and with my own, which is the result
of many years’ practical experience, I have endeavored in as brief
and explicit a manner as possible, to lay them before the reader, hop-
ing that they may accomplish the object aimed at by the author, viz. :
a more easy, pleasant, profitable, and humane method of managing
the Honey Bee.

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INTRODUCTION.

THE object of this treatise is not to enter into a detail of the physi-
ology and anatomy of the Bee, and a scientific definition of its pecu-
liar construction, but to place before the public a practical work, the
result of actual experience, whereby the veriest tyro in Bee-keeping
will be enabled, with the aid of proper hives, to enter upon their cul-
ture, with almost a surety of success. We, therefore, have left out
the scientific disquisitions of those who profess to be learned in the
physiological structure of this interesting insect, and proceed at once
to describe the different classes into which the common honey bee is
divided, a thorough knowledge of whose peculiarities, habits, and
offices, which each individual class is called upon to perform, in the
municipal regulations of the hive, is necessary for their successful
culture. Many works are published upon this subject, which contain
much which is not easily understood by the general reader, and of little
practical use to the common bee-keeper, who in most instances has but a
little time to spare, to search through rubbish after practical truths,
and who requires a treatise easily understood, and as easily put into
practical use. Such as require a more extended work, we refer to
those of Huber, Bevan, and many of the larger works upon the sub-
ject to be found in our bookstores. We proceed to describe the three
classes of bees which are necessary to constitute a successful working
hive, viz.: the QuEEN Brg, the Worxine Ber, and the Drone.

1*

THE QUEEN BEE.

Tue Queen Bee is at once the mother and mistress of the Hive.
She is distinguishable from the rest of the community by certain
marks, which render her detection very easy, by any one once ac-
quainted with her peculiarities. She is longer in the body than the
common bee, and moves with a more deliberate and measured tread.
Her wings are shorter than those of the worker or drone, whose bod-
ies are entirely covered, while those of the queen scarcely reach be-
yond the middle. Her body tapers gradually to a point, her under
jaws are shorter, her head rounder, her trunk more slender, and not
half so long as that of the working bee. Her legs, though longer,
have neither brushes nor baskets, or cavities in the thighs for the con-
veyance of farina and propolis. Her colors distinguish her also.: the
upper surface of her body being a much brighter black, and the under
surface and the legs of a dark orange or copper color, that of the
hinder legs being somewhat deeper than the rest. We think the
above explanation of the appearance of the queen will enable almost
any one to distinguish her from the other bees in the hive, and if ne-
cessary to remove her when requisite, as is sometimes the case in
managing bees.

The office of the queen is to increase the species by the laying of
eges, which she deposits in cells constructed for their reception.

10

THE OPERATION OF LAYING. 11

These cells vary from one another in size, according as they are to be
used as depositories of eggs that are to become drones, or of those
that are to become workers. The cells of the drones are built at the
lower edge of the combs generally, and are about as large again as
the cells of the workers, and the combs containing them are also much
thicker. The store-cells and drone-cells are of the same size. There
are but two diameters for the cells of the combs of the honey bee,
one for the brood-comb of the workers, the other for drone and
store combs. The brood-combs are, however, occasionally used to
store honey in. The royal or queen cells are about as large as a peanut,
and bear a great resemblance to that nut, and are always placed on
the edge of the comb, either on the outside or on the side of a hole or
passage-way through the comb, with the mouth downwards.

CHEAP TER Itt,
THE OPERATION OF LAYING.

THE queen commences laying as early as January and February, if
the weather is moderate, and lays to a greater or less extent accord-
ing to the temperature of the weather, the strength of the stock, and
amount of honey in the hive, and much earlier in a southern than
northern climate.

She first lays worker eggs for several weeks in succession in that
portion of the combs denominated brood-combs, and occupying the
central part of the hive. The following description of the operation
of laying (which is correct to the letter) is given by the “ Rev. M.
Dunbar, Minister of Applegarth, England,” and Dr. Bevan says “ they
are quite in accordance with similar experiments made by Mr. Golding
and himself.” Mr. Miner, also, and several American authors, have
certified to the correctness of the statement. ‘Mr. D. states that
when the queen is about to lay she puts her head into a cell and re-
mains in that position for a second or two, probably to ascertain the
fitness for the deposit which she is about to make. She then with-
draws her head, and curving her body downwards, inserts her tail
into the cell. In a few seconds she turns half round upon herself, and

12 THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BROOD.

withdraws, leaving an egg behind her. When she lays a considerable
number she does it equally on each side of the comb, those on the
one side being as exactly opposite to those on the other as the rela-
tive positions of the cells will admit. The effect of this is to produce
a concentration and economy of heat, for developing the various
changes of the brood.” During the process of laying she is usually
accompanied by several workers, who appear to bestow upon her a
great degree of attention and respect. She continues laying worker
eggs for several weeks in succession, during the latter part of which
she lays to a greater extent than in the former. Some four weeks before
the time for swarming, she commences laying drone eggs. These are
deposited in cells of larger size prepared for their reception. The number
of drone eggs amount generally to from four to six hundred. It is
during the laying of drone eggs that the royal cells are prepared, (and
if it is decided by the bees that a swarm can be spared,) the queen
deposits eggs in these at intervals, as has been stated, so as to mature
at the time a swarm would probably immigrate. The form of the eggs
of the queen are of a long oval shape, about the size of that produced
by the large green fly, but curved a little, and of a transparent bluish-
white color, and are besmeared with a glutinous substance which ad-
heres them to the bottom of the cell, in which position they remain
for three or four days, (according to the temperature of the weather,)
when asmall worm or maggot is produced. The workers immedi-
ately commence nursing and feeding them with farina (or bee-bread)
and honey, with which they supply them most bountifully.

CHA PYRE:
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BROOD.

Tue following description of the development of the brood in its
various stages, from the egg to the full-grown Bee, is from Dr.
Bevan's work, and accords with my own observation and apiarians
generally. Dr. Bevan says, “The eggs of bees are of a lengthened
oval shape, with a slight curvature, and of a bluish-white color:

they are about the size of those which are laid by the butterfly

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BROOD. bs)

upon cabbage-leaves, are composed of a thin membrane, filled
with a whitish liquor, and being besmeared at the time of laying
with a glutinous substance, they adhere to the bases of the cells,
and remain unchanged in figure or situation for four days; then
they are hatched, the bottom of each cell presenting to view a small
white worm or maggot, with several ventral rings. On its growing so
as to touch the opposite angle of the cell, it coils itself up in the
shape of a semicircle. To use the language of Swammerdam, it
coils itself up like a dog when he is going to sleep, and floats in a whi-
tish transparent fluid, which is deposited in the cells by the nursing
bees, and by which it is probably nourished; it becomes gradually
enlarged in its dimensions, till the two extremities touch one another
and form aring. In this state it obtains indifferently the name of
worm, larva, maggot, or grub, and is fed with farina or bee-bread. The
slightest movement on the part of the nursing bees suffices to attract
It to its food, to receive the welcome morsels of which it eagerly opens
its two lateral pincers, and a most liberal supply is afforded to it,
though by no means trenching on the bounds of prodigality. So
nicely do the bees calculate the quantity which will be required, that
| one remains in the cell when the larva is transformed to a nymph.
It was the opinion of Reaumur, and is still that of many eminent
naturalists, that farina does not constitute the sole food of the bee
larve ; but that it consists of a mixture of farina with a certain pro-
Seen of honey and water, partly digested in the stomachs of the
| Rursing bees, the relative proportions of honey and farina varying ac-
cording to the age of the young. The compound at first is nearly in-
sipid, but gradually receives an accession of sweetness which increases
‘as the insects approach maturity.
| The larva having derived support in the manner above described,
for four, five, or six days, according to the season, continues to in-
crease during that period, till it occupies the whole breadth and
nearly the length of the cell. The nursing bees now seal up the
cell, with a light brown cover, externally more or less convex, (the
cap of a drone-cell is more convex than that of a worker,) and thus
\differing from that of a honey-cell, which is paler and somewhat
ave. The larva is no sooner perfectly inclosed than it begins to

}

Ui

14 THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BROOD.

labor, alternately extending and shortening its body, whilst it lines
the cell by spinning round itself, after the manner of the silk-worm,
a whitish silky film or cocoon, by whick it is encased, as it were, in a
pod or pellicle. The silken thread employed in forming this covering
proceeds from the middle part of the under lip, and is in fact com-
posed of two threads, gummed together as they issue from the two
adjoining orifices of the spimner.”* When it has undergone this
change it has usually borne the name of nymph or pupa. “ The work-
ing bee nymph spins its cocoon in thirty-six hours. After passing
about three days in this state of preparation for a new existence, it
gradually undergoes so great a change as not to wear a vestige of
its previous form, but becomes armed with a firmer mail, and with
scales of a dark brown hue, fringed with light hairs. On its belly six
rings become distinguishable, which by slipping one over another en-
able the bee to shorten its body, whenever it has occasion to do so;
its breast becomes entirely covered with gray feather-like hairs, which
as the insect advances in age assume a reddish hue.

When it has reached the twenty-first day, of its existence, counting
from the moment the egg is laid, it quits the exuvia of the pupa
state, comes forth a perfect winged insect, and is termed an imago.
The eocoon or pellicle is left behind, and forms a closely attached and
exact lining to the cell in which it was spun. By this means the
breeding cells become smaller, and their partitions stronger, the oft-
ener they change their tenants; and when they have become so
much diminished in size by this succession of pellicles or linings, as
not to admit of the perfect development of full-sized bees, they are
converted into the receptables for honey. Such are the respective
stages of the working bee; those of the queen bee are as follows:

She passes three days in the egg, and is five days a worm; the
workers then close her cell, and she immediately begins spinning the
cocoon, which occupies her twenty-four hours. On the tenth and |
eleventh days, as if exhausted by her labor, she remains in complete
repose, and even sixteen hours of the twelfth day. Then she passes
four days and one third as anymph. Itis on the sixteenth day,
therefore, that the perfect state of a queen is attained.” “The drone

* Kirby and Spencer.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BROOD. 15

or male passes three days in the egg, six Snd a half as a worm, and
metamorphoses into a fly or perfect bee on the twenty-fourth or
twenty-fifth day after the ege is laid.”

“The young bees break their envelope with their teeth, and are as-
sisted as soon as they come forth by the older ones, proceed to clean
themselves from the exuvize with which they were surrounded,” and
in the course of a few hours are busily engaged in the labors of the
family. ‘We have seen her,” says Wildman, “ the same day issue
from the cell, and return from the fields loaded with wax like the
rest.” Others suppose they remain in the hive for two or three days
before they commence their labors.

The royal cells, instead of being near horizontal, as the brood
and store-house cells, are placed in perpendicular position on the
edges of the combs, near the centre of the hive, are of much larger
dimensions, and are not adjoining each other, but occupy different po-
sitions on the edges of the combs, and resemble in form the shell of
a peanut, as previously stated in Chap. i1., and from three to twelve in
number. At the time the nymph is about to change to the perfect
queen, the bees cut or gnaw away the wax or covering of the cell,
rendering it very thin. In this position the young queen is supplied
with food by the worker bees, by means of a small hole in the cover-
ing, through which the confined queen receives its food from the
worker bees. Bevan says, ‘‘ Probably the young queens are thus tem-
porarily imprisoned, the more complete to ensure success to them in
their first efforts to fly, which would seem to be an object of consid-
erable importance. In furtherance of this, they are provided with
capacious shells, which, by enabling them to expand their wings, be-
fore they emerge, fit them for immediate flight, whereas the work-
‘ers and drones issue from their cells with folded wings.” It has been
supposed by some apiarians that the worker bees stand very much in

we of their sovereign, and that she has them perfectly at her command
nd control. Huber declares that he “has heard it on various occa-
ions, and witnessed the striking effect which it has always pro-
uced.’ Other apiarians have, however, expressed different opinions,
nd have never witnessed any such effect produced as has been stated
by Huber, and I doubt very much whether the queen has, and does

16 THE WORKING BEE.

exercise that authority ovér the colony in all their avocation, that has
been attributed to her by many writers. That she is very much es-
teemed and prized by her subjects I readily admit; but it appears to
me that they are governed more by the impulse of a natural instinct,
for each to voluntarily fill and occupy the sphere designed them by
the Creator, than by the command of the queen; for, unlike man,
each appears to know their place, and gladly occupy it, and have no
ambitious spirit to gratify, having so mutineers or revolutionists in
the colony, but all united, and if you insult or injure one individual,
you rouse the ire of the whole family.

CHAPTER V.

THE WORKING BEE.

Tuer next class for consideration is the worker bee. We have given |
the process of laying and hatching the bees in the preceding pages. |
We now give a description of the working bee.

These are by some called newters or mules ; by others female non-
breeders. The latter is, undoubtedly, the more appropriate title, the
workers being sterile females with undeveloped ovaries. In a single
hive the number of these varies from 12,000 to 20,000. If swarming |
is prevented by affording room, a single family, in summer, may con- |
tain 50 or 60,000. They are the smallest members of the community,
are furnished with a long flexible apparatus known by the name of
proboscis, have a peculiar structure of the legs and thighs, on the latter
of which are small hollows or baskets, to receive and carry the pro-
polis and farina which they collect, and they are armed with a straight

THE DRONE, ha

‘sting. Upon them devolves the whole labor of the colony ; they rear
‘the young, guard the entrances, elaborate the wax, collect and store
‘the provision, and build the cells in which it is warehoused as well as
‘those which contain the brood.

{ —

|
-CHAPTER VI.

wy

THE DRONE.

| ‘Tur drones or males number from 300 to 600 in a family, according
|to its strength. These make their appearance about the end of April,
and are seldom to be seen after the middle of August, except under
\peculiar circumstances. They are one-third larger than the workers,
|somewhat thicker and of a darker color; they have shorter jaws as
‘well as a shorter proboscis, and are more blunt at the tail than either
the queen or workers; the last ring of the body is fringed with hairs,
} extending over the tail and visible to the naked eye. They make a
greater noise in flying, are destitute of baskets on their thighs, and
(have no sting; are rather shorter than the queen, but generally much
larger. Underneath the tail two small protuberances of a yellowish
color may be seen, which are regarded as the distinctive marks of
\their sex. In someswarms no drones are observable; probably these
are first swarms, which, being always led off by old queens, have no
occasion for drones.

We have before stated that the queen was the parent of the bee
colony ; the working bees are the laborers who gather and store the
sweets for the supply of the family, and the drones are evidently for
the purpose of impregnating the queens. We give Huber’s account
of this discovery of the uses of the drone in a hive of bees. It also
accords with all writers on this subject at the present day.

18 THE DRONE.

“ Aware that the males usually leave the hive in the warmest part |
of the day in summer, it was natural to suppose that if the queens |
were obliged to go out for fecundation, instinct would induce them to |
do so at the same time as the others. |

“ At eleven in the forenoon, we placed ourselves opposite to a hive |
containing an unimpregnated queen five days old. The sun had shone |

the hives. We then enlarged the entrance (which had been contracted |
to prevent the egress of the queens) of that selected for observation, |
and paid great attention to the bees entering and departing. The |
males appeared and immediately took flight. Soon afterwards the |
young queen came to the entrance; at first she did not, but during a |
little time traversed the board, brushing her belly with her hind legs,
neither workers nor males bestowing any notice on her. At last she
took flight; when several feet from the hive she returned and ap- |
proached it as if to examine the place of her departure, perhaps judg- |
ing this precaution necessary to recognize it; she then flew away, de- |
scribing horizontal circles twelve or fifteen feet above the earth. We |
contracted the entrance of the hive that she might not return unob- |
served, and placing ourselves in the centre of the circles described in |
her flight the more easily to follow her and witness all her motions, but
she did not remain long in a situation favorable for our observations,
and rapidly rose out of sight. We resumed our place before the hive; |
and in seven minutes the young queen returned to the entrance of a|
habitation which she had left for the first time. Having found no ex- |
ternal evidence of feeundation, we allowed her to enter. In a quarter
of an hour she re-appeared, and after brushing herself as before, took
flight; then returning to examine the hive, she rose so high that we
soon lost sight of her. This second absence was much longer than
the first, it occupied twenty-seven minutes. We now found her in a
state very different from that in which she was after the former ex-
cursion, the organs distended by a substance thick and hard, very
much resembling the matter in the vessels of males, completely similar }
to it in color and consistence.”

There is not the least doubt in my mind as to the correctness of
Huber's opinion on this point, but many seem to doubt it, and I have

LONGEVITY OF BEES, 19

_ often had the question asked me, why are so many needed in a hive
containing one queen; my answer to this is, that the queen in her
flight may be sure of coming in contact with one, and not be under

the necessity of hazarding her life by repeatedly leaving the hive.
_ Nature provides bountifully for all her wants; not more so in this than
‘in a thousand other instances.

: GOH:AP PER V bd
| LONGEVITY OF BEES.

Tue length of life allotted by the ancients to the working bee, was
much greater than has since been, by modern writers; as the former
| supposed it to reach the term of from seven to ten years, but the latter
have thought it not to exceed one year. Dr. Bevan, after experi-
menting on the subject, has given it as his opinion, that it does not
exceed six or seven months. And from the attention I have paid to
the subject, I am of the opinion that it does not much exceed that
term; though I think that probably some may exceed that period.

! I find that there are many bee-keepers at the present day, that are
mot at all prepared to believe this statement, and do really suppose
that the bee generally lives several seasons. But I think that after a
ittle reflection, every one must be convinced that the average life of
he working bee does not at most exceed eight or nine months, and
hat a large proportion do not reach the age of six months. Let any
ne who doubts this put a swarm into a bee-house, or room fitted for
he purpose, and of such dimensions as will prevent swarming, as
any have done in the State of Ohio, and then let him observe their
perations; and he will find that as a general thing he will have as
any bees in his colony on the first of July of the second year as he
ill at that period in any subsequent year. The philosophy of the
atter is simply this: The queen being the mother of the entire
mily, and producing all the brood, or young bees, the population of
he colony is kept up by her; and she being able to produce only
bout a given number of bees during the season, and their lives being

———

20. LONGEVITY OF BEES.

of so short duration, a large majority of them close their existence |
before the next spring, at which time the colony is found to contain |
no more bees than it did the previous spring; and this increase and|
decrease in numbers will continue yearly while the colony exists, and|

their numbers will remain just about the same for years.

‘¢ Like leaves on trees, the race of bees is found
Now green in youth, now withering on the gronnd :
Another race the spring or fall supplies—

They droop successive, and successive rise.”’

large palaces, and rooms in buildings, fitted for the purpose, where so
much space was given that swarming has been prevented entirely, |
and the bees permitted to increase for years, to any extent in their|
power; but in no case have they increased in numbers to exceed that|
of a good colony just previous to its throwing off a first swarm. |

was called upon in the summer of 1851, to transfer a colony into one |
of my hives from an old bee-palace (as they are called in Ohio). The,
bees had occupied it for fifteen years, during which time they had|
never thrown off a swarm; and at the time I transferred them, which|
was the last of June, there were no more bees than in a colony of the|
preceding vear that had not thrown off a swarm that season.

In the month of September, 1851, I transferred a portion of a good |
strong colony of bees into my observatory hive, leaving the queen}
with the remainder of the bees in the old hive. This I accomplished]
by removing the old hive a short distance, and placing the observa- |
tory hive where it formerly stood. I had previously taken from an-
other hive a piece of comb containing brood, and placed it in the}
observatory hive; not for the purpose of trying the experiment of)
raising a queen from a worker egg, but to experiment in feeding, and |
observe their operations while destitute of a queen, and also how long
they would exist in that situation. I will here state that I had no
expectation of their raising a queen from the brood that I had sup- |
plied them with, as it was so far advanced in a state of maturity that
it afforded them no means of accomplishing that object; yet they had }
by the next morning laid the foundations of three royal cells, in the

portions of the combs containing the youngest brood. On each of these |

LONGEVITY OF THE QUEEN. yA

‘some half-dozen of bees were busily engaged for some forty-eight
‘hours, when they were abandoned entirely, on account of the ad-
‘vanced state of the brood. I had previously commenced feeding
‘them, and the bees were building combs and storing them with honey,
and worked to all appearances as well and systematically as if pos-
sessed of a queen; which I was sure was not the case, as I could
Teadily see every bee in the hive, and every cell, in a moment of time.
T continued to feed them, and watch their operations closely by day
4nd night, until I was satisfied they had a sufficient supply to last
them as long as they would require food, as I could see from day to
\day that their numbers were diminishing; so that by the first of No-
ivember, one half of their number at least had become extinct. The
remaining bees appeared as active and industrious as those occupying
imy other hives, They were flying briskly every pleasant day, and
appeared eager to improve every opportunity to labor and gather
‘stores as those of other colonies. Their numbers were continually
PPainishing, and on the first of December there were not more than

@ pint or pint and a half remaining in the hive; and by the middle of
lhe month not a live bee remained. The cold weather probably had
an effect in terminating their existence, as there were not a sufficient
quantity of bees to keep up a proper amount of heat.

The foregoing experiment, in connection with others made by
Bevan, Huber, Reaumur, and others, goes to convince me that the
jnatural life of the working bee does not reach the term of one year,
land that they may very properly be termed an insect of a season.

—

LONGEVITY OF THE QUEEN.

| The life of the queen bee has been ascertained to be of much longer
uration than that of the worker. This is a wise provision of the
Great Ruler of all events, for if the life of the queen was as brief as
{hat of the working bee, the whole race would be liable to soon be-
some extinct. .

The experiments and observations of Huber, Bevan, Dunbar, Gold-
jng and Rocca, and of several American apiarians on this point, are
jmfficient and ample to settle this question. Though no one has ever

pretended to be definite as to the exact length of her life, all admit

22 THE APIARY.

that she generally sees several generations of her subjects pass away
before she quits the stage herself. Huber was of opinion that her life
extended in many instances to a period of from four to five years;|
though he speaks positively only of its extending to two years. |

In numerous instances, when she has been marked so as to be iden-
tified, she has been traced from swarm to swarm for a period of three|
or four years. |

The life of the drone does not exceed four or five months, if left to
die a natural death ; but their lives are generally cut off by violence
of the workers at a much shorter period than this.

?

Ca TD Be WOE E..

THE APIARY.

Mucu more depends upon the location of the apiary thar most bee-|
keepers appear to imagine, and even among those who havea preference, |
there are different opinions on the subject. A majority, however, I |
am inclined to think, are in favor of a southern aspect; but I think
there are no good reasons for such conclusions, other things being |
equal. I always prefer an eastern aspect, or one bearing a little south |
of east, as this gives the bees the influence of the sun in the morning, or |
fore part of the day, when it is beneficial to them, and during the middle |
of the day it will not be as oppressive as when the hives are fronting the |
south. Whatever the aspect may be, the hives should never be exposed |
to the rays of the sun during the middle of the day, excepting in April
and May. The apiary should be protected on the north and west by
buildings, or trees, or a high fence or sarubbery, to afford the bees a |
protection from wind and rain, when they are driven home during |
the season by sudden showers accompanied by high winds. The hives, |
however, should not stand so near the trees or buildings as to be ex- |
posed to their drippings, or so near a fence as to prevent a passage be- |
tween the hives and fence. It is also desirable that the apiary be lo- |
cated near the residence of the apiarian, where it will be easy of ac- |
cess, and in view, or near, the kitchen garden or yard. It however)

|

|
| MORNING SUN BENEFICIAL

OUT-DOOR APIARY. 23

_should not be near any thoroughfare travelled by horses, as during
warm weather, when horses are in a state of perspiration, they are
.Wery offensive to the bees. Hens and ducks sometimes are very de-
structive on bees. I have known them to lie about the apiary, and
|every bee that came in their reach was sure to fall a victim to them.

i INFLUENCE OF THE MORNING SUN BENEFICIAL.

Many bee-keepers do not appear to consider that the morning sun
"has any beneficial effects upon the labors of the bees. I have in nu-
“merous instances seen apiaries located on the north and west side of
buildings and trees, where the sun would not shine upon them until
the latter part of the day. This I consider decidedly injurious to the
[prosperity of the bees, and any one that doubts it let him try the ex-
periment, and set one hive on the east side of a fence or building, and
Bae on the north or west side, and see which will commence their
labors first in the morning; the result will be, that the bees in the
hive that the sun will shine upon at its rising, will usually commence
work at least one hour earlier than those standing in the shade. During
the middle of the day, the sun beating in all its power and heat upon
he hives not only does them no good, but does them injury, as it is
ften so oppressive to the bees, as to cause them to nearly suspend
their labors in the hive, and cluster outside, and in many instances
‘melts down the combs, and often ruins the family. I want the sun
0 shine upon my hives in the morning, until about ten o'clock; after
hat I consider it does them no good. Therefore, if possible, let the
ee-house (if it be an open one) stand fronting east, or nearly ; if it bear
litile to the south of east it will be full as well, and let the roof or
overing be so constructed as to form a shade for the hives during
e middle of the day, or after ten o’clock in the morning.

|

4
| OUT-DOOR APIARY.

If the apiary be an out-door one, and the hives occupy single stands,
hey should be protected from storms, and the rays of the sun, by a
oof of some kind, about three feet square; this should be supported

few inches above the hive by four posts set in the ground, sufficient
50 prevent it from being blown down; the rear post should be a few
r shorter than the front ones, so as to give the roof a little pitch
{

f

24 OUT-DOOR APIARY.

to the west. No shrubbery, weeds, or high grass should be permit- |
ted to grow about the hives, as these afford a harbor for spiders and
other insects. |

I have noticed that some bee-keepers set their hives on the top of
posts some four or five feet high, without the least form of shelter over
them. In this situation the bees are exposed to all the changes of |
the weather, during summer and winter; so also are the hives, and)
the sun and storms will soon crack and warp them, and render them
unfit for further use.

It is a very common practice for bee-keepers, in locating an out-
door apiary, to place it by the side of a fence or building, not allowing
space to pass between the rear of the hives and fence or building;
this I consider bad policy: Ist, because it does not afford as good a!
circulation of air about the hives as if they stood some two or three}
feet from the building.

2d. It does not afford as good opportunity to examine the hives as}
would be if they could be approached from the rear.

3d. Weeds and shrubbery are more likely to be suffered to grow up |
around the hive in such locations than when in the yard, clear ofa fence.

Great care should be taken to secure the hives against being blown|
over by high winds; different means have been resorted to to prevent
this. All hives should be secured in some way, if nothing more thana
stone is placed upon the top of them.

When several hives are placed on one bench, either in an open bee-|
house or out, there should be at least one foot space between the
hives, and a division board from four to six inches wide set up edge-
wise to prevent the bees from mixing up when clustering out. I have
known instances, where the hives of late swarms have stood near each }
other, and the bees have all left one hive and joined their neighbors
of their own accord. This I consider no loss when the swarms are}
weak, but rather an advantage ; but with old stock hives it would be}
different, as they would be very liable to quarrel, especially if the bees |
should attempt to enter the domicil of their neighbors. Still I have}
known instances when the bees in adjoining hives have spread out
and clustered together for weeks, and appeared to agree as well as if!
they had been one family.

Cir a Pt site We ae.

HIVES.

_ Tue good or ill success in the culture of the Honey Bee, in my
| opinion, depends very much upon the size and form of the hive used.
But various are the opinions of apiarians on this subject. Hives
‘or boxes of almost every imaginable shape and size have been

used, and each had its advocates. Many vague and false theories
have been advanced, and each of these has found supporters for a
season at least; and it appears, upon looking back upon the history of
Bee-Hives for the last twenty years, that the greater the humbug the
greater the success with which they have been palmed off upon the
unwary and ‘too confiding bee-keepers of our country; and if the
question were asked, why have the venders of these worthless bee-
hives met with such universal success in disposing of their worthless
impositions, the only true and correct answer must be, because bee-
keepers have generally paid so little attention to the subject, that they

have not been prepared to judge correctly between a good article
and a poor one. Within the last few years I have conversed with
| hundreds of bee-keepers, who have kept bees (or tried to, as they say)
for a period varying from ten to forty years, and I think I may safely
|

state that full one-half of this number know no more about the natural
habits and wants of the bee, than if they had never been engaged in
the business in any way or shape. Some have kept them in the old
common box hive, and have never devoted one moment’s thought or
study as to their habits or wants. As their “fathers did, so do they;”
and whenever they obtained any honey, it has been at the expense
of the lives of the bees that gathered it; and they have considered it
as indispensable to destroy them to obtain their honey, as it would
be to kill a horse to obtain his skin; and I seriously consider the
cases just about parallel, and that it is about as good economy to kill
a good horse for his skin, or cut down a good fruit tree to obtain its
frnit, as to murder a good colony of bees to obtain their honey.
Others have been actuated by motives more humane, and have
manifested a desire to keep pace with the progress of the age, and

2 25

eee EV ——

26 HIVES.

have been anxious to adopt some mode by which, if possible, they
might preserve the lives of these industrious and most interesting
little creatures, and at the same time procure a much purer article of
honey ; but being, as before stated, unacquainted with the wanis and
natural habits of the bee, they have been easily made the dupes of
designing men, and in many instances have nearly or quite annihi-
lated their entire stock of bees, and consequently have become dis-
couraged with all patented bee-hives. Not a few, however, have-
persevered, and, not willing to abandon it, have made the second, and
some the third and even the fourth trial, with as many different
hives, and with but little better success than at first.

Hence it is not at all surprising that many have become prejudiced
against all patented hives; for it is an old adage that “a burnt child
dreads the fire;” so with those who have not only paid out their
money for hives that were of no value, but have in many instances
lost their bees besides.

I, however, am of opinion, that much of the bad success in keeping
bees in any and every form of hive, is owing to bad management.
For we frequently find a person that has good success, let him use
what hives he may, while his neighbor cannot keep them in any form
of hive; and we also hear the former crowing or boasting over his suc-
cess with the old hive, and will point at the latter, who has, from his
poor success in the common hive, been constrained to purchase a
patent hive, to see if he could not succeed with it better, but owing
to mismanagement has failed in this also; and it is all laid to the
hive; and the former will tell him that the old common hive, after all,
is far better than any patented hive that was ever invented; that it
is more natural to the bee; that bees must swarm in order to prosper,
&c. &e.

I for one do not think that because a hive is patented it is either
the better or the worse for it; but that its merits or demerits depend
upon other considerations. Neither do I think that the old common
hive is better adapted to the wants of the bee than any other hive;
for certainly they are defective in many respects, as I have previously
stated. I admit, and contend, that any hive calculated to change the
natural instinct of the bee, is useless. But from experience I have

HIVES. 27

become satisfied that a hive can be made that will not interfere with
their natural instinct, and at the same time far better adapted to their
wants at all times, and also much more convenient for the bee-master
to manage than any of the common hives now in use.

But, as I have previously stated, the good or ill success attendant
on any hive, depends in a good degree on the care and attention paid
them while occupied by the bees; for while, with judicious and care-
ful management, bees will in many instances thrive and afford a good
supply of honey in almost any form of hive; so in the reverse will
they, if occupying the best hive ever invented by man, if neglected
or improperly managed, in many instances fail to remunerate their
keeper to any reasonable extent, and not unfrequently, for want of
a little attention and care, fall victims to moths, robbers, or some other
enemy. Hence no person should ever engage in the culture of the
bee with hopes of success, unless he expects to bestow some care and
attention upon them in summer and fall, and in winter and spring.

As in agricultural and mechanical pursuits, so in the culture of the
honey-bee ; much that is valuable to the bee-keeper may be learned from
the experience of others. And notwithstanding bee-keepers vary so ma-
terially on some points, there are others on which a majority agree ; and
if a person will take the trouble to read and compare the opinions of dif-
ferent authors, and study and observe the operations of his bees, he may
soon be able to decide what mode of management to adopt in order
to insure success, and make the business both profitable and interest-
ing. But in order to do this, he must have some form of hive differ-
ent from the old hive, that affords no means of observing their opera-
tions or studying their habits and wants.

All admit that too much or too little room is injurious to the wel
fare of the bees, and that the nearer the hive corresponds in size to
the actual wants of the colony, at all times and seasons of the year,
the more prosperous they will prove—and for the following reasons,
viz. :—

ist. The less unoccupied room there is in a hive, the less danger
there will always be from the attacks of moths.

2d. That a large and populous family of bees do actually need more
room than a small one.

28 HIVES.

3d. That a swarm of bees do not require as much room the first
season as they do the second and after years.

4th. That a family of bees do require more room during the sum-
mer season than in winter.

5th. That a colony of bees, when supplied with ample room for all
to labor to advantage, will produce a much larger amount of honey
than when crowded so as to compel large numbers of them to leave
the interior of the hive, and cluster and idle away their time on the
outside.

6th. That a colony of bees will not often continue vigorous and
healthy, if permitted to occupy and breed in the same combs fora pe-
riod of more than three or four years, and that by the removal of the
old combs (if done in a suitable manner) the colony may be kept in a
healthy state for any number of years.

“th. That all hives should possess some convenient means for taking
the surplus honey without disturbing or injuring the bees.

8th. That it is not only desirable, but absolutely necessary, for the
successful culture of the honey-bee, that the hive afford some conve-
nient and safe arrangement for feeding, as it often becomes necessary
not only to feed late and weak swarms, but that even strong and popu-
lous colonies often require feeding, during a cold and backward spring,
to prevent them from starving.

Oth. It is desirable also that a hive afford facilities for observing the
operations of the bees, and ascertaining the amount of honey in store,
and the strength and condition of the colony at all seasons.

10th. It is a consideration of much importance also, that hives
should be so constructed as to render the distance that the bees have
to travel to deposit their stores, after entering the hive, as short as
possible to all parts, as this will save thern much time and labor, and
as the honey season is usually short, every facility should be afforded
them to improve it to the best possible advantage.

11th. That it is also necessary that the bees, in order to be healthy,
must be supplied with a good degree of ventilation.

I say all are ready to admit that the foregoing requisites are both
desirable and necessary.

But when we come to consider the form and size of bee-hives, or

HIVES. 29

the form and size best adapted to the natural habits and wants of the
bee, we find almost as many different opinions on the subject as there
are persons engaged in keeping bees. Some are in favor of large
hives, others of small ones. A. has his large hive for large swarms, and
small hives for small ones. B. contends that all should be of the same
size and form under all circumstances. C. prefers the storifying plan.
D. the collateral hiving. And an almost endless variety of forms and
sizes might be named, and each has its advocates. That persons
should disagree in regard to the peculiar form that hives should be
constructed, is not a matter of surprise ; or that there should exist a
diversity of opinion, as to the size best suited to the actual wants of
the honey-bee, so long as different colonies vary so much in the
amount of honey they produce, and localities and seasons affect them
so materially as they do here in the United States. But that prac-
tical bee-keepers, who have paid a good degree of attention to the
subject, should insist that “every bee-hive in the United States
should be of one exact size and shape,” under all circumstances and
all cases, and that no “additional room should be given” in any case,
ig in my opinion taking ground that it will be difficult to defend by
sound argument, to say the least.

For it is a fact, admitted by all apiarians, “that some queens are
more fertile, and will produce a much larger amount of brood during
a season than others, and that even the same queens will produce
more bees in some seasons than in others, and consequently the popu-
lation of the family will vary as the queen is affected by seasons and
circumstances, and as a matter of course their wants, as regards amount
of room, will vary as their numbers increase or diminish. It is also a
fact that some colonies will store double the amount of honey during the
season that others will, provided they have room afforded to accommo-
date them. Now this being the case with each and every colony of bees,
does it not appear both proper and necessary that hives should be so
constructed as to afford means to increase or diminish the amount of
room to accommodate the wants of the family, both at different seasons
of the year, and also in different seasons; for as has been mentioned,
it will enable the bees to gather more honey, and afford small colonies
better protection against the moth, than hives that are so constructed

30 BEE-HIVES.

that you have just such an amount of room, with no suitable means
to increase or diminish it, to meet the wants of the bees. It is often
the case that bees will not swarm at all, (notwithstanding many ap-
pear to think that it is so natural for them to do so,) but will cluster
in large quantities on the outside of the hive for weeks in succession,
and idle away their time when they would be busily engaged in-stor-
ing honey, if in hives that would afford them suitable room to store

it in,

BEE-HIVES.

It would not only be useless, but impossible for me, in this little
treatise, to attempt to give a description of one half of the bee-hives
that have been invented during the last twenty years, a number of
which were never worth the powder it would take to blow them up;
most of which have, however, exploded without the expense of
powder.

I have thought, however, that it might not be altogether out of
place here to notice some of the many that have been brought into
general use, and state my opinions briefly as to their good or bad
qualities, according as I view them. It is evident, I think, that many
of these hives were never tested by their inventors, or by others, be-
fore they were brought before the public; had they been, I think
their inventors would not have had the hardihood to humbug the
community to the extent they have done. Many of the patented
hives, however, have possessed some good qualities; but they
generally have been encumbered or surrounded by some useless con-
trivance, that overbalanced all the advantages they possessed. Others,
in endeavoring to remedy one difficulty, have instituted others still
worse, if possible. The object aimed at by most inventors, has been
to devise some means for obtaining the honey without destroying the
lives of the bees. This, all will admit, is a very desirable object;
but I candidly believe that many of the hives that have been invented
expressly for this object, have in the end destroyed more bees than
they have been the means of saving.

Other hives have been devised expressly to prevent the depre-
dations of the moth, and have been styled by their inventors “ moth-

; BEE-HIVES. 31

proof; but like many others, when they were put to the test were
found wanting. And I will here state, that I consider it an utter im-
possibility to construct a hive that will perfectly exclude the moth in
every instance, and admit bees into it; for certainly a moth can enter
where a bee cannot. And now, reader, whenever you meet with a
person that has a moth-proof hive to sell, you just set him down as
an unwise man, or a dishonest one: for if he flatters himself that his
hive is moth-proof, he is badly bored, to say the least; and if he has
sense enough to teach him that it 7s not moth-proof, he is a dishonest
person in endeavoring to dispose of it as such.

I, however, am confident, that some hives afford the bees far better
protection against moths, and other enemies, than others, and also
better facilities for destroying them after they have gained an entrance
into the hive. Hives composed of boxes or sections with bottoms
attached firmly, I consider unfit for bees, as they afford the keeper no
means to clean the floors of the hives. I believe that every section
used for breeding, and composing the main body of the hive, should
be open at the bottom, so as to let everything, such as dead bees, filth,
moths, and the like, fall free from the combs on to the floor of the
hive; and the floor so attached as to admit of its being cleaned off
at pleasure, without disturbing the bees.

Several hives have been invented with inclined-plane bottoms, to
enable the bees to clear them more readily of moths, dead bees, &c.
But I think there has been nothing gained by this in the end, but
that it has proved an injury: for in attaching the bottoms in the
manner that it has generally been done, leaving an open space the
whole width of the hive (and in the double inclined bottoms on two
sides), which affords the miller just as good an opportunity to enter as
she could desire; for during fall and spring the hives are not usually
filled to the bottoms with bees, and during the night the cool damp air
will drive the bees from the entrance, and leave it entirely unguarded,
when the miller has a free unmolested entrance into the hive, where
she may deposit her eggs in the wax about the bottom and joints of
the hive; and when disturbed by the bees on the following morning,
will leave the hive and secrete herself in some crevice about it, and
there remain until evening, when she is ready to pay the hive another

32 WEEKS’ VERMONT HIVE.

visit. I find that the smaller the aperture for the entrance of the
bees, the less liable the moths are to enter, and especially if they are
compelled to enter directly in among the bees. Every bee-keeper
knows that when a hive is crowded with bees there is but little
danger of moths troubling them; but let the colony be reduced in
numbers so as to not more than half fill the hive, leaving a large
portion of the combs unprotected by the bees, and if the moths do
not find their way to them it will be something unusual. I have -
found also there is no better protection against the moth than full
hives. Even if the swarm be small and weak, if it fill the space it
occupies, they will defend themselves against moths, especially if the
entrance into the hive be small. But put a small swarm into a large
hive, and leave it open all around the bottom, and every bee-keeper
knows what to expect generally; and if the moths do not take pos-
session of the whole concern in a short time, he is disappointed, and
considers himself very fortunate indeed.

Aslam frequently asked the question (by persons engaged or in-
terested in keeping bees), whether I ever saw this, that, and the other
patent hive of which they have heard, but have never seen, I have
thought that it might probably interest some to insert a few cuts
showing the form of different hives that are in use in various parts
of our country, and accompany each with a few remarks in explana-
tion of them.

WEEKS’ VERMONT HIVE.

Mr. Weeks, the inventor of this hive, has paid a good deal of atten-
tion to the culture of the honey bee, and has published a small work
on the subject. This is a chamber hive, affording room for two boxes
for surplus honey, of about twelve pounds each. The reason for
having the rear incline, as stated by Mr. Weeks, is to prevent the combs
from falling or breaking down, and the inclined bottom, to enable the
bees to carry out the moth and dead bees more easily; but as I have
stated, it affords the millers too free access into the hive. The bottom
is usually attached by wire hooks, leaving an open space on every
side of the hive.

This hive has been introduced very extensively in several States,

STORIFYING AND SUBTENDED HIVES. 33

and has generally given as good satisfaction as most hives, and far
better than some that I might name. But like a majority of the
hives that are now in use, both patented and those that are not, it is
defective in the amount of room it affords the colony, as it is an en-
tire hive, and whether the colony is a strong or weak one, you have
so much room, and can give them no more nor no less; hence I con-
sider it far from being what is wanted, in order to secure the greatest
profit from the culture of the bee. This is my candid opinion, and
I think I shall be able to prove to every unprejudiced mind, that I am
correct. It is also defective, like most others, as it affords no convenient
means for feeding, or removing the old combs, both of which are very
necessary requisites, that every hiveshould possess, for it often becomes
necessary to feed bees to preserve their lives, and there are various
reasons why bees will prosper better while occupying new combs
than in old ones.

STORIFYING AND SUBTENDED HIVES.

Subtended hives of various forms have been used to a considerable
extent in different sections of our country, and many bee-keepers at
first were highly pleased with them, but after using them awhile
changed their opinion.
The advantages claimed by the inventors of these hives are, that
the surplus honey may be taken from them without destroying the
bees, and also the old combs may be removed, and the bees permit-
ted to construct new ones in their stead.
Both of these objects are desirable, and various plans have been
adopted to accomplish them. But the main objections to these hives,

I believe, are, that they afford but a small amount of pure honey fit

for market, and the boxes being so large, (containing generally from
twenty-five to forty pounds,) are not ready to be removed until late
in the season, on account of their containing young bees and brood.
There is frequently, also, more or less bee-bread in these large sections,
| while the small boxes in the chambers of the hive scarcely ever con-
_ tain a cell of either bee-bread or brood, and they may often be taken
filled with pure honey as early as June, and will sell in market for
one third more per lb. than that in the large boxes. The bees are

2*

|
!

34 STORIFYING AND SUBTENDED HIVES.

hived in one box, and if it is a swarm of usual size, it is set on the top
of another one, and when both are filled another box is added.

The boxes composing this hive are generally eleven or twelve
inches square in the clear, and eight or nine inches deep. There are
different sizes and forms, however, combining the same principle, but
are managed differently by different persons: some super* them,
while others nadirt them; the former mode generally produces the
purest honey, as the queen is not as liable to ascend into the supers,
and deposit eggs there, as she is to descend into the box below. In
both cases, however, much depends upon the strength or population
of the colony: if it is a weak swarm, she will not be liable to go
into either; if a strong one, she will sometimes do so. The com-
munication from one box to the other through the top is often made
by boring from three to five auger holes at different points, and
sometimes a hole three or four inches square is cut, and a slide fitted
to cut off communication at pleasure. The door in the front of each
box opens to observe through a pane of glass the operations of the
bees, and the amount of honey they have in store. In my opin-
ion, it would be better if this door was in the rear of the hive, as
it would then afford the keeper an opportunity to approach it with
much less exposure to the bees, but where the hives are placed
against a fence or building it could not be done; though this I would
never recommend, as it usually affords a harbor for moths, spiders,
ants, and other insects, and the apiarian has not as good an opportu-
nity to destroy them as if he could have access on both sides of the
hives.

Hives also with supers, capable of containing from twenty to forty
pounds of honey, have been used in many parts of the United States
with tolerable good success, and I consider them far preferable to the
common hive. But the bees will not as readily enter these supers
and commence their labors (unless guide-combs are placed in them)
as they will smaller boxes, and when they do commence the queen is
more liable to ascend and deposit eggs there than in smaller boxes,
especially if the colony is a strong and populous one.

* Supering is placing the empty box above the stock.
+ Nadiring under the stock.

BEVAN’S CROSS-BAR HIVE. + a

if

BEVAN’S CROSS-BAR HIVE.

The above is a representation of Dr. Bevan’s cross-bar hive. The
object of the bars arranged across the top (as seen in the cut) are to
guide the bees in constructing their combs, that they may be more
uniform, and afford a greater amount of brood-eombs, than when left
to their own natural habits. The centre bars are placed at suitable
distance for brood-combs, are one half inch thick, and one and an
eighth inch wide. The sides of the boxes are rabbeted at the top
half their thickness, and half an inch deep to receive the bars. The
boxes or hives are eleven and five-eighths inches square, and nine
inches deep in the elear, affording space for seven bars. Dr. Bevan
says, “that if the distance of the bars from each other be nicely ad-
justed, there will be interspaces between them of about half an inch.
The precise width of the bars should be particularly attended to, and
also their distances from each other, as any deviation in this respect
would throw the combs wrong, particularly if that deviation gave an
access of room. It would be better, therefore, for them to be some-
| what within the rule than to exceed it by ever so little, for whenever
the bees evince a disposition to depart from the prescribed dimensions,
its tendency is generally to make the combs approximate. This has
| induced me to have my boxes surmounted by bars varying a little in

their relative distance; thus, the three centre bars are placed at the
distance of only seven-sixteenths of an inch from each other, while
the rest gradually recede from that distance, so that the two last in-
terspaces on either side of the box are nine-sixteenths of an inch in
| width. The same precision must be observed in the length of the
bars, as it is of great importance to have them indiscriminately
applicable to every box, and in case the joiner should exceed the spe-

36 COLLATERAL HIVES.

cified dimensions of a box, the extra space must be thrown to its
sides. At the back of each box a pane of glass should be fixed in a
small rabbet, which may be covered with a half-inch door, hung with
wire hinges, and fastened by a button. This rabbet should be as
shallow as possible, or the bees will be apt to occupy it with a thin
comb.” After adjusting the bars a top is fitted to the hive with
auger holes, or a hole cut three or four inches square, to admit the
bees into a super if desired; the top is secured by screws, so as to be
removed at pleasure.

COLLATERAL HIVES.

Collateral Hives have never been used to any great extent in this

country. Mr. Nutt, a resident of England, (I think,) and a gentleman |

that has paid a good deal of attention to bee-keeping, is very much in
favor of this system. But Dr. Bevan, Mr. Dunbar, and others, do not
consider it the best hive in use by any means.

Jones’ Multiplying and Dividing Hive is a little similar to this hive
of Mr. Nutt’s in its construction, though not like it, as Mr. Nutt’s hive
has no chamber for small boxes, while Jones’ has. The adjoining

sides are different also; those of Mr. Nutt’s are composed of half-inch |
boards, with two or three horizontal openings for communications,

while those of Jones’ hive are composed of cross-bars, some two inches |
wide, and about the same distance apart, affording a freer communi- |

cation between the boxes. A large number of Jones’ hives were dis-
posed of in the State of Ohio, some five years since, and many bee-

keepers lost nearly every family of bees they put into them. They |
followed the directions given by the agent, and divided their stock |

several times during the season, and before the next spring nearly

every bee was dead. By dividing so often, the families were small and |
weak, and the moths destroyed most of them before winter, and the |

remainder generally died with hunger during winter.

The hives of Mr. Nutt are not intended for increasing or multiply-
ing the stocks, but to obtain honey. This I do not consider a very
profitable way of managing bees, for I believe there is as much to be
realized from the iacrease of families, as there is from the honey they
produce, though there are persons so situated that they prefer not to in-

COLLATERAL HIVES. 37

crease their number of hives, but keep acolony or two, just for the plea-
sure of it, and obtain what honey they consume in their own families.

live

i “aN

oe j
i af lll
i

lian,
ay

NUTT’S COLLATERAL HIVE.

The annexed cut is a view of the boxes joined together on the stand,

as used generally; they are held together at the rear by butts, and in
front by a hook and staple made of wire. The lower cut represents a
frame-work for the hives to stand upon, instead of a board.

The boxes are usually ten or eleven inches square in the clear, and
eight or nine inches high, with a pane of glass in each, covered by a
door, hinged and buttoned, as seen in the engraving.

One of the boxes is kept as the permanent residence of the family,
and is not disturbed. The other is removed as often as filled, and an
empty one set in the place of it.

» Dr. Bevan says, in the first place, the honey obtained by this sys-
tem is not as pure as that produced by supering; and, secondly, that
the harvest of honey they afford is by no means so abundant.

My hive is a combination of the collateral and storifying, or super-
ing, united, and combines all the advantages of both these systems,

Ili,

, ~~.

88 MINER'S EQUILATERAL CROSS-BAR HIVE.

whileit remedies their defects. It also combines several other impor-
tant principles—placing the bees completely under the observation
and control of the keeper, in all their various operations.

MINER'S EQUILATERAL CROSS-BAR HIVE.

I am frequently asked the question if I have ever seen this hive of
which Mr. M. is making so much ado about; and asI think it will
pobably gratify the curiosity of some, I will endeavor to give a fair
and correct description of it, which I think I can do ina very few
words.

The hive is equilateral, (signifying of equal dimensions on all its
sides.) The main body of the hive is twelve inches square in the
clear, and is surmounted with a super for obtaining surplus honey.

The great advantages Mr. M. claims for this hive over all others are,
first, its simplicity ; second, the advantages of the cross-bars. These
cross-bars (as Mr. Bevan terms them in his hive) are to guide the
bees in the construction of their combs, that they may be parallel, and
more uniform in their thickness, affording a greater amount of brood-
combs. Mr. M. contends, that if the bees are left to their own judg-
ment and instinct in their comb-building, they will unwisely construct
them in all manney of zig-zag forms and thickness, without regard to
the wants of their queen, and the welfare of the family, and the con-
sequence will be that there will be but a small amount of combs con-
structed suitable for the queen to deposit her eggs in, and she wilk,
therefore be curtailed in her laying, and hence, not as many young
bees will be produced, as if she were supplied with combs suited to
her wants. According to this reasoning, it would appear, that unlike
all other productions of the Great Architect, the bee came forth from
its Maker imperfect in its instinct and habits, and is dependent on man
to guide and direct her in her various operations. But it is evident,
I think, from the course she has pursued since her creation to the pre-
sent time, that she does not necessarily need the wisdom of man to
direct and guide her in the constructions of her combs, or in any of
the various avocations of the hive.

Mr. M., however, in his Manual, admits, (or says) that ‘‘not all the
art and genius of man can teach har one jot or tittle of knowledge.” “ Nor

MINER’S EQUILATERAL CROSS-BAR HIVE. 89

does she need man’s wisdom,” and that she “stands forth perfect in
every work.” And I agree with him, and verily believe that she is
fully competent (if put into suitable hives) to go on and construct just
such combs as instinct teaches her are best adapted to her wants, (and I
think I have heard it said that “instinct is never at fault.”)

Yet, after all that has been said, I think that if some plan could be
adopted (and it can) that would induce the bees to build their combs
more uniformly and straight, it would be no injury to the prosperity
of the colony, but an advantage, in some respects. But that the whole
success of bee-keeping depends upon the bees building their combs
“narallel, and uniform,” and that they will not do this without having
cross-bar hives to do it in, I think is carrying the joke a little too far,
for we all know that bees have prospered and done well when taken
care of, without these fixtures. I am convinced, however, that the
better accommodations the bees are supplied with, the more profitable
and prosperous they will prove. But that everything depends upon
one little zfem, (and this something new,)I do not believe. Others may
form their opinion, and act accordingly.

‘The bars to this hive are attached similar to those in Dr. Bevan’s,
which has already been described. Mr. M., I understand, besmears
the under edges of the bars with melted wax, which induces the bees
to follow them in constructing their combs. He also uses a plate or
sheet of thick paper with portions of it cut out the thickness of the
combs, and the distance apart the combs are required. This he lays
on the inside of the top the same as a miller brands his barrels, or a
merchant boxes of goods, and then with a sponge or brush dipped in
melted bees-wax, he puts on the wax where it is desired to have the
bees attach their combs.

In cutting the guide-plate, it will be necessary to be very particular
to lay off the distances between the combs where they will be needed.
The outside space should be left a little broader than the others, un-
less the hive is of suitable size to have all the spaces equal. The best
way is to commence at the middle of the plate to lay off the spaces,
and if there is any surplus room throw it at the outside of the hive, for
the bees generally build these combs thicker than the centre ones, and
use them for storing honey.

40 FORMATION OF SWARMS.

The spaces cut out for the combs should be a trifle over three-fourths
of an inch, as near four-fifths as possible, and the bars left in the plate
which is the space between the combs three-eighths of an inch. These,
I believe, are all the peculiarities that this hive possesses. It is got
up in an ornamental style, and makes a better appearance than the
common hive, though any chamber hive may be ornamented as well
as this, and make just as good appearance. Mr. M. thinks that it is

superior to any other hive, and better adapted to the wants of the bee,

both in size and shape. But bee-keepers do not agree on this any
more than on other points. I am confident that some colonies require
a larger amount of room than others, and that if it is afforded them,
and is easy of access, they will produce more honey than if they were
compelled for want of room to cluster on the outside of the hive. This
hive I consider defective on this point, the same as every other hive
of this form. It affords the bees just such an amount of room whether
there be many or few, with no means to increase or diminish it to cor-
respond to their actual wants.

CHAPTER X.

FORMATION OF SWARMS.

THE season of swarming is one of excitement and interest to the
apiarian. And the causes that tend to produce this result may be
considered various, and much veiled in mystery; for while one cause
appears to have a marked effect on one colony in hurrying off aswarm,
the same cause does not appear to influence another colony in the
least. The crowded state of the hives, together with hot and sul-
try weather, are generally considered symptoms of swarming. Yet
both of these combined often fail to produce the result anticipated;
for itis well known that bees will cluster out in large quantities,
sometimes for weeks, during the swarming season. and not swarm at

FORMATION OF SWARMS. 41

all; while, on the other hand, they will in some instances swarm, not-
withstanding room be given them far exceeding their wants (though
these instances are rare). I am knowing of one particular instance of
a colony that occupied a bee-house for twelve years, without swarm-
ing, but on the thirteenth threw off a swarm.

Some apiarians consider it natural for bees to swarm, and that any
device or arrangement tending to prevent this, is ruinous to the bees;
and consequently they condemn all non-swarming hives, without
judge or jury. That it is natural for bees to swarm, without regard
to causes, I am not prepared to admit. They appear to me to be
governed more by instinct and reason, or by instinctive reason ; for if
a swarm be put into a large box or room, affording a large supply of
surplus room, we find that, in nineteen cases out of twenty, they will
not swarm for years, although every meansis afforded them to swarm
that there would be if in a hive one foot square. Now they have a
very good reason for not swarming, viz. they have all the room
necessary, and that is all they desire. But put a swarm into a hive
one foot square, and the result will be very unlike the other; for in
the latter case, in all probability, the colony will throw off a swarm
every season; and the reason is a good one: the hive did not afford
sufficient room to accommodate the whole population, hence the ne-
cessity of a portion of the family emigrating. But as previously stated,
there are extreme cases, when neither of the above causes, and others

combined, are sufficient to produce the result.

Notwithstanding what has already been said on the subject, it
is evident, I think, that the prime or moving cause of emigration
is, the crowded state of the hive, produced by the wonderful fruit-
fulness of the queen. There are other causes, however, that are
subservient to this, and are made to operate in favor of the desired re-
sults. The amount of brood produced by asingle queen during a season
is almost incredible; for if we examine a stock hive on the first of
February, it will be found generally to contain not more than three
or four thousand bees (and often less); yet this same hive will, during
' the month of June, throw off a swarm containing in numbers from
twelve thousand to twenty-five thousand, and in some instances to

even thirty thousand, and not unfrequently will a second swarm issue

42 FORMATION OF SWARMS.

of some eight thousand or ten thousand more, still leaving a popula-
tion in the hive, on the first of September, of double the number it
contained on the first of February.

Now, supposing they throw off but one swarm, and that should
contain twenty thousand bees; and the addition to the old stock
amounts to four thousand more, making an increase of twenty-four
thousand in five months, this would make the average number per
day about one hundred and sixty; but as a much less number of eggs.
are laid in the months of February and March, than in April and
May, it would readily appear that the queen must, during these
months, produce some two hundred or three hundred eggs daily.

After the queen has finished her principal laying of worker eggs,
she increases in size and moves sluggishly, when she commences lay-
ing drone eggs in cells prepared for their reception ; she generally lays
drone eggs for three or four weeks. About the commencement of —
the third week the workers prepare the royal cells, from three to ten
in number, in which the queen deposits eggs at intervals of a few
days, so as to mature at the time they would be required, in case
more than one swarm should issue. These young queens are never
permitted to leave their cells, (except in extreme cases of foul weather,)
until the first swarm has left, which in all cases is led off by the old
queen. If, on account of unfavorable weather, swarming is deferred
beyond the time anticipated by the bees, the young queens are not
permitted to emerge from their cells, but are guarded and held prisoners
and fed by the workers until the old queen leaves with a swarm. If,
however, the unfavorable weather should continue for several succes-
sive days, the young queen in some instances becomes impatient, and
will burst from her cell, when she soon falls a victim to her mother’s
wrath, for there is such a deadly hatred implanted in the mother
queen, that she will, if permitted, eagerly devour her own offspring.
This, I think, probably is the cause why in some instances hives that
are filled with bees to overflowing, do not swarm. Many have enter-
tained doubts as to the certainty of the old queen’s invariably leaving
the parent hive with first swarms. I would say to any one who doubts
this, to examine the combs in the hive ofa first swarm on the second or
third day after it has taken possession ofa hive, and they may be assured

FORMATION OF SWARMS. * 43

‘that they will invariably find eggs in them, which certainly could not
‘be the case if it was accompanied by a young queen. I have found
egos in the cells on the second day after the swarm entered the hive.
‘Or let the old colony be suffocated immediately after the first swarm
leaves the hive, and there can no matured queen be found. I have on
‘several occasions taken the bees out of the hive on the second day
‘after a first swarm had left it, and in no case did it possess an old
‘queen, but in every instance from one to five queens in an embryo
state. It is not unusual for a first swarm to produce young bees in
‘twenty-two or twenty-three days after being hived. I have myself
had ocular demonstration of it in my own hives. In my estimate
‘on the number of bees produced by a single queen during a season, I
have put the number higher than some authors, but I think they
‘will be found to be very near the mark in most instances. It is true
that different stocks vary materially in the amount of bees pro-
iduced during a season. Some queens will produce fully double the
amount that others will. I have also estimated the numbers in a first
iswarm larger than Mr. Miner and some others. But the number re-
maining in the parent hive after swarming, I have put at less. I have
made my estimates from observation. I have in a large number of
|instances driven the old stock from their hive a few days after they
had thrown off a swarm, and have always found that there were not
‘more than one third as many bees remaining as had left with the
swarm. And I have been able to judge pretty correctly as to their
numbers, as in both instances the bees were in my hives, that afford-
ed an opportunity to see what amount there was in each.

Dr. Bevan remarks, that “the laying of drone eggs, which is called
the great laying, usually commences at the end of April or the be-
ginning of May; that there seems to be asecret relation between
the production of these eggs, and the construction of royal cells; for
regularly on the 20th or 21st day, (if at all), royal cells are founded.
About the time when the larve hatched from the eggs laid by the queen,
in the royal cells, are ready to be transformed to nymphs, (sometimes
sooner, sometimes later, depending on circumstances,) this queen generally —
leaves the hive, conducting a swarm along with her.”

As has been stated, a first swarm is always led off by the old

ad

44 ‘FORMATION OF SWARMS.

queen; and Huber remarks, that this is a wise provision ofnature, for,
being the strongest, she would never fail to overthrow the younger}
competitors for the throne, near which “ the jealous Semiramis of the}

hive will bear no rival.” Dr. Bevan observes, that the queen having
finished her laying of male eggs, and her deposition of female eggs,
in the royal cells, prior to leaving the old hive, is ready to commence

in the new one with the laying of worker eggs; workers being first’
needed in order to secure the continuance and prosperity of the newly- ||

founded commonwealth. The bees that remain in the old hive have

been supposed to guard with peculiar care the royal cells, in order to
prevent the young queens, successively hatched, from leaving them,
except at intervals of several days from each departure of a swarm,

or at the moment of swarming. The law of primogeniture is always |

strictly observed towards these royal insects, “ the first-born, or prin-

. cess royal, being always selected to assume the sovereignty over the }

new colony, or if vacant, to occupy the throne in its native home;
and so on with respect to the third and fourth, or whatever number |

may issue. Then after swarms, however, particularly the later ones,

are often accompanied by more than one princess, several of them |
frequently obtaining their hberty at the same time, owing, in all
probability, to the guards no longer keeping a strict watch over them, |

in consequence of the bustle of swarming. In these cases, the victo-
rious in conflict assumes the sovereignty over the new colony.”

According to Huber, the queen ordinarily lays about twelve thousand -
eggs in two months ; one impregnation serving for the whole comple- |
ment of eggs, of every description, which she lays during two years |

at least. Reaumer states the number off eggs laid by a queen in two
months at double the number that Huber did. Schirach says that a

queen will lay from seventy thousand to one hundred thousand in a—

season; and it is my opinion that some queens do produce that amount —

of eggs in a favorable season.

The testimony of Huber, Bevan, and several other naturalists and
apiarians, goes to prove thatif the impregnation of the queen is by any
means retarded beyond the twenty-first day of her life, instead of lay-
ing worker and drone eggs, as is usually the case, she commences lay-
ing drone eggs on the 45th hour, and lays no other during her life-time.

CHAPTER XX).
SYMPTOMS PRIOR TO SWARMING.

CLusterinc on the outside of the hive is generally considered a
symptom of swarming; though, taken singly, it cannot be regarded
jas a very sure sign that a swarm will issue immediately; this, how-
ever, indicates that there are a sufficient quantity of bees to admit of

a swarm’s issuing; and if attended with other symptoms, may be con-

| sidered as a pretty sure indication that a swarm will soon be thrown
‘off On the day, or day before swarming, the bees are generally less
| active, and are not seen gathering honey and farina, as usual; and
| those that return from the fields loaded with farina, donot immediate-
| ly enter the hive, as is their usual practice, but cluster outside with
| their loads, ready to emigrate at a moment’s warning. Large num-
bers may also be seen sporting in the air, about the hive, during the
| middle of the day, or from eleven to twelve o'clock ; also when drones
are seen in the crowd outside of the hive, this may be considered as
additional evidence—as a preparation on the part of the bees for emi-

‘ grating soon. Yet, with all these symptoms combined, bees will

fi

| not unfrequently cluster in great numbers, for several weeks in suc-
cession, and not swarm at all; for if preparation for raising a young
sovereign has not been made, no inducement whatever will persuade
them to emigrate. I have known of an instance where a colony have
gone so far in making preparations for swarming, as to select a tene-
ment in a hollow tree, and labored for several weeks in clearing it

' out, and finally did not swarm that season ; but, on the ensuing spring,
about the tenth of May, they again were seen busily engaged in the
same tree, making preparations, and in the latter part of the month a
swarm was thrown off, when they proceeded directly to the tree,
and entered it, notwithstanding water and dirt were thrown on then,
and every effort made to prevent them from leaving the apiary.

i Apout the first of May, in the spring of 1851, I sold a gentleman

one of my hives, for which I was to receive in pay two stocks of bees,

jn the old common square hive. The agreement was, that out of his
46

46 SYMPTOMS PRIOR TO SWARMING.

apiary of twelve hives, I was to have the privilege of selecting one,
and he one. He selected, as a matter of course, the weakest and
lightest hive in the aplary, which was a swarm of the previous year,
and had not filled the hive, (which was not a large one,) but a little
more than half full of combs. I selected the heaviest and most popu-
lous stock he had, which was only two years old, very heavy, and
then overflowing with bees. I brought them home without injury,

and placed the hives side by side in my apiary, and by the twentieth

of May the strongest colony were clustering out in quantities sufficient
toswarm. At this time the little swarm had not near filled their
hive with comb or bees, but were doing as well as could be expected.
Both continued to increase in numbers; the large colony clustering
nearly sufficient to completely cover the hive, and all idle—as the
hivé on the first of May was filled with combs, and these pretty well
stored with honey. On the twenty-second of June, the small
swarm had filled their hive, and thrown off a fine swarm, which I
saved. Five days after, I drove or transferred the parent stock into
one of my hives, at which time they had no matured queen, but three
in their cells in an embryo state, which I placed in the new hive, with
pieces of the brood-combs adjoining the royal brood; these were hatch-
ed in a few days, and the colony immediately commenced their labors,
to all appearances as well as a swarm that had been thrown off in the
usual way. The old colony, in the other hive, still continued to clus-
ter out in a mass sufficient to fill a half-bushel, or nearly so. TI bore
with them until the first week in J uly, when I transferred them into
another of my hives, and on examining the old combs, not the least
preparation had been made for raising a youny queen, as no royal cells
had even been commenced. Instances similar to the foregoing have
probably fallen under the observation of most every bee-keeper, and it
is not a little perplexing to the apiarian to be trifled with in this way,
day after day, and week after week, and his bees not swarm after all.
In my hives, if the bees do not feel inclined to swarm immediately
after they have filled two of the large boxes, I open the communica-
tion to the third, so as to let them have sufficient room to labor to ad-
ventage. In this way I manage to get much more honey than from
the common hive, and without injury to the colony.

a

SYMPTOMS PRIOR TO A SECOND SWARM. 47

SYMPTOMS PRIOR TO A SECOND SWARM.

ie

The most distinctive symptom of a second swarm issuing, is a sin-
gular noise made by the queen, called piping; this continues gen-
“erally for two or three days and nights in succession ; it may be heard

at intervals at the distance of several feet from the hive, if particular at-
tention be paid to notice it; frequently the voices of two or more queens
“may be heard at the same time, though differing intone. The follow-
Ing extract is from Dr. Bevan’s work, and is from the observations of
“Mr. Golding. Mr. G. says: “On the 7th of June a first swarm issued
“from one of his hives; on the 14th piping commenced, two days
|sooner than it is nett heard; but what appeared still more singu-
lar, the piping was not in a clear and plaintive, but in a short,
hoarse key. Nevertheless, the notes proceeded from a senior prin-
jcess; this unusual cadence being found to arise from her piping be-
| fore she had obtained her liberty. After it had continued for two
| days, she emerged from her cell, when the hoarse notes immediately
| gave place to the plaintive ones. Soon afterwards another princess
hoarsely responded; they piped together for the usual term of three
\ days, the notes of each being marked throughout by the usual distine-
(tive intonation. The first piping was manifestly premature, but it
‘clearly shows the cause of different sounds that usually precede an
after-swarm. The queen that is at liberty, when piping, stands, or
rather squats, and exhibits a tremulous motion with her body and
wings, the latter moving slowly in a horizontal direction; the motion
(resembles the working of a pair of bellows with their edges held ver-
tically. On the first day the sound waich she utters is rather indis-
tinct, on the second it becomes clearer and louder; it is long and
‘plaintive, particularly the starting note, and is repeated five, six, or
ar? times in succession, in a clear, shrill key, but becomes shorter
and shorter each time. The note of the imprisoned princess, which
generally commences on the second day, is hoarse, dull, and short
\ throughout.”
This piping generally commences in seven or nine days (though in
some instances a few days later) after the first swarm has left the
hive, and often continues for a period of two or three days; if the

—s

48 HIVING SWARMS.

weather is favorable, a swarm may be expected on the tenth or eleventh
day. It is but very seldom that a swarm does not issue on the third
day after the piping commences, and in such cases a swarm may be
expected, though the weather should not be very favorable. Unless
this voice can be heard about the period before stated, no after-swarms
will issue. |
The rationale of this theory lies simply here: The first swarm gen-
erally issues about the time the queen cells are sealed over, which
usually occurs on the eighth day after the eggs are deposited in it; in
about eight days more the queen is matured, at which time piping |
generally commences, if a second swarm is to issue, and within three |
days from that time a second swarm may be expected, and occasion- |
ally when a plurality of queens mature at, or about the same time, a |
third swarm will issue in the course of three days from the second. I
find it best to return third swarms to the parent hive; or, in case they |
have occupied it for three or four years, I hive the new swarm in a |
suitable hive, and about sunset of the same day, I unite the old stock
with the swarm. See chapter on Reunion of Swarms. |

|
|

CTA Pr PTHE, x iat:

HIVING SWARMS.

Tas branch of bee culture is generally better understood than —
many other things connected with bee-keeping. Yet, in hiving |
swarms, hardly two persons can be found that operate exactly alike
in all respects. While some adhere to the ancient custom of ringing
bells and drumming on pans and kettles, at the time of swarming, to
induce the bees to settle, others resort to no such means, and consider
it entirely useless: and I am of opinion that it does no good at all. In
case a swarm seem determined to go off, throwing water, or dirt,and ©
gravel among them, frequently has a more favorable effect, to induce |
them to settle, than anything else. I have known of many a swarm _

—7

— —.

—_—_—

— e2eeoe———

ee ee eee

PREPARATION OF HIVES FOR SWARMS. 49

being arrested by this means, by persons at work in corn-fields. But
when a swarm has a place of residence selected, prior to leaving the
parent hive, (and one with which they are satisfied,) it is very diffi-
cult to induce them to abandon their purpose, and be contented to
remain in a hive even should they be hived; for they will occasion-
ally leave a hive in such cases, even after remaining in it for two or
three days, and constructing combs the size of a person’s hand. If,
however, good clean hives of suitable dimensions, well ventilated, are
provided, and kept well protected from the rays of the sun at the time
of hiving, and for several days afterwards, there will be but little
danger of swarms leaving after being introduced into such hives.

PREPARATION OF HIVES FOR THE RECEPTION OF SWARMS.

Various are the opinions of bee-keepers in regard to the best mate-
rials to be used in washing or rubbing hives, previous to hiving bees
in: some use one thing and others another; but I am satisfied that it
makes but a little difference what is used, provided the hive is per-

' fectly clean to commence with. If the hive is an old one that bees

have formerly occupied, it should be thoroughly scalded, to destroy
the larvee of moths or other insects. Ifa new, clean hive, a little salt
and cold water, to cool the hive, or a little honey and water, or salt
and water, sweetened with either honey, molasses, or sugar; these
ingredients may be applied to the hive witha sponge, or, as some pre-
fer, peach leaves, others hickory, others clover, and others bee-balm ;
the latter is, ] am satisfied, preferable to either of the others. I gene-
rally use a table for the hive to stand upon, spread a cloth or cover
over it, and place two sticks of wood near the centre for the hive to
stand upon; these may be two or three inches in diameter ; these raise
the hive from the cloth and give the bees free access into the hive, and
also admit a free circulation of air under the hive, which facilitates the
bees entering it, and renders them less liable to leave the hive. Should
they be disposed to cluster on the outside the hive, sprinkle them
lightly with cold water, and with a dust brush or a fowl’s wing, brush
them gently down towards the bottom of the hive, and by repeating
this operation two or three times they will usually all enter.

8

CHAD TEE 1 ia.
ARTIFICIAL CLUSTERING SHRUBS OR BUSHES.

ArtiFiciaL clustering shrubs may be found very beneficial by any
one who will take the trouble to prepare them, either when small
shrubbery and trees are plenty, or in an apiary destitute of them:
small pine or cedar shrubs six or 8 feet in height, or boughs of these
may be tied to the tops of poles of about the same length; set these up
around the apiary at two or three rods apart, or what is still better,
take the seed-ends of mullen-stalks about a dozen in number, and tie
these to the tops of poles as before stated; the poles should be set in
the ground so as to be easily taken up after the bees have settled on
them ; by managing in this manher, the hive may be set in the apiary,
before hiving, and the bees may be carried on the pole and laid by the
side of the hive, when they will enter it; this saves the trouble of
moving the hive after hiving, and consequently no bees will be lost.
The mullen tops should be attached to the poles so as to lie nearly
horizontally. What there is in the mullen stalks so attracting to the
bees I know not, unless it is their rough, uneven surface, which af-
fords the bees security against falling ; old dry weather-beaten stalks are
as good as any.

CHAPTER XIV.

HIVER.

WSEN an apiary is situated near large trees, a hiver will be found
very convenient in many instances, when swarms settle on trees so
high as to be out of reach, when standing on a chair or stool. It may
be made in either of the following forms, and at trifling expense. Ist.
Take two pieces of thin light boards eighteen or twenty inches long,

50

DIFFERENT SWARMS UNITING. 51

and ten or twelve inches wide, nail them together similar toa mason’s

hod (for carrying mortar); several auger holes of about one inch in

diameter should be bored in each. A forked shank made of half-inch

iron should be fastened to the sides with small screws, the shank ex-

tending some eight inches to secure it to a handle. Handles of differ-

ent length may be made to fit the shank, or the handle may be length-

ened by means of ferrule joints to any reasonable length. Another
_ form is made merely by attaching the third piece of board to the former,
in the shape of a triangle, leaving both ends open; this may be used to
advantage when swarms settle in the forks of trees, or on the body,
where they cannot be shaken off. Place the hiver by the side of the
swarm so as to touch them, and by agitating them a trifle, they will soon
enter it through the auger holes, when they may be taken don and
shook out upon a cloth, and a hive placed over them.

Another form of Itiver is made of four strips of plastering lath,
three or four feet in length, (or strips of board of equal size.) Nail
| these together at their ends, forming a square framework. Stretch a
| piece of eloth over the frame, and secure it with tacks. Pieces of
| cord, three or four feet in length, should then be fastened to each cor-
\

| ner of the frame, and the other end of the cords fastened to the end

of a pole for a handle. This makes a light convenient platform to
' shake the bees on to when they chance to settle on limbs of fruit trees,
so high as to be out of reach, and such as would injure the tree to
sever the limb. The handle, as before stated, may be lengthened to
suit circumstances; the bees, after being lodged on the cloth, may
be carried and placed on a table, or any other place desired. Care in
all cases should be taken to protect the hive from the rays of the
sun, and keep the bees as cool as possible.

I I

CHAPTER XV.

DIFFERENT SWARMS UNITING.

a ——_—_

In an apiary of a large number of hives, different swarms issuing
at the same time will be very likely to unite and settle on the same

—

52 UNITING SECOND OR WEAK SWARMS.

branch, and even when a swarm has issued, and the bees have nearly
all entered their new habitation, another swarm coming out at that
time will often unite with them, and another a half hour after will
follow the former, and I have frequently known three or four swarms
to congregate in this way, producing nearly a bushel of bees. In
large apiaries swarms are very likely to congregate, as I have stated,
and hence it is very necessary that everything should be in readiness,
and a swarm hived as soon as possible. If the bees are backward
about entering their hive, sprinkle them a little with cold water, this
will hurry them in. The bees also that are expected to issue, may
be dampened a little, which may retard their swarming a few mo-
ments until the others are secured. When a swarm has issued and
the bees have not all entered the hive, and a second issue commences,
the former may be covered with a sheet so as to prevent the latter
joining them. If artificial clustering poles are used, as soon as all,
or nearly all the bees have settled, they may be carried immediately
into a dark room, and a hive placed over them, when they will enter
as well as in the light. An extensive apiarian informed me ‘that he
adopted this plan. He had constructed a room expressly for the
purpose, and as soon as a swarm had settled, he immediately carried
it into the room, and placed it by a hive, and when the second had
settled he took that there also, and that he had frequently had half
a dozen in the room at the same time, but being in the dark they did
not fly or mix at all, but would soon enter their hives, when they
‘vere removed to their allotted place in the apiary.

C HAP ia Vd

UNITING SECOND OR WEAK SWARMS.

Two or more swarms may be united without difficulty; and
it is generally better to put two, and in some instances, even
three late weak swarms together, than in separate hives. The
best and most convenient time to accomplish this union is at the time

-

UNITING SECOND OR WEAK SWARMS. 58

the swarms issue. If two or three swarms issue on the same day, they
may all be put together at that time. If one swarm should be hived
before the second comes off, take the second and shake it down by
the side of the hive containing the first, and they will immediately
join those in the hive. Should a third come off the same day, before
the hive is placed on the stand, this may be hived the same as the
second. When the second does not come off until a day or two (or
more) after the first, the best way will be to hive it in a common
square hive, and in the evening following, spread a cloth upon the
ground, lay a small stick of wood upon it near the centre: bring the
hive containing the first swarm and set it upon the cloth with one
side upon the stick of wood, so as to afford the bees a convenient en-
trance into it, when shaken from the other-hive; then place a small
piece of board on the cloth, eight or ten inches from the hive, then
bring the hive containing the second swarm, and give it a good smart
jar upon the board, which will usually dislodge nearly every bee at the
first effort. Ifhowever, a few bees should still cling to the hive, they may
be brushed out with a wing, or even witha twig containing leaves, or the
hive may be placed on its side with tae bottom near the other hive, when
the bees will soon leave it and unite with the others. If it should be
desirable to add athird swarm, they may be hived in the same
manner. After the bees have all entered the hive, it should be placed
in its former position before the bees commence flying the next
morning. Smoking the bees a trifle with burning linen or cotton
rags, at the time of hiving, I think, is advantageous, as it prevents
them from distinguishing the bees of the new swarm from those of
their own, and they unite readily without quarrelling. One of the
queens will of course be destroyed, though in some instances not
until several days or weeks afterwards. —

CHAPTER 74 P|

REUNION OF THE PARENT STOCK WITH A SECOND OR THIRD |
SWARM. |

Wuen an old stock hive, that has been occupied by the bees for
three or more years, and the combs have become thick and unfit for
breeding, throws off a second or third swarm, and thereby be- |
comes weak, they should be reunited to the last issue, as neither will
usually be worth anything if permitted to remain separate. This re-
union may be accomplised in the following manner. Hive the swarm
as usual, and at sunset of the same day, after smoking the old colony
slightly with burning cloth, remove it a short distance from its loca-
tion, and set the hive containing the new swarm where the old one
formerly stood; turn the old hive upside down, with the bottom off
and drum smartly on its sides, with sticks about the size of flour-bar-
rel hoops; the bees will soon commence leaving, and return to their
former alighting place, and enter the hive with the new swarm. If
Some burning rags are kept around the hive during the operation, the
bees will not be as likely to show fight, and will leave the hive more
readily.

If it is late in the season, they may require feeding; this should be
done during the month of October or N ovember. In uniting the old
colony with the swarm, considerable honey is frequently obtained
from the old hive, and the bees introduced into a hive with new and
healthy combs, and a good colony obtained from the two weak ones,
that in all probability would not have survived the winter, had they
not been united,

CAP Ph Ra Picky

EQUALIZING COLONIES.

In case one hive contain a superabundance of bees, and the stock in
another have become weak, in consequence of throwing off two or
more swarms, or any other cause, an equalization may be effected
very easily, and benefit the weaker colony very much, while it will
not prove the least detrimental to the other. All that is necessary to
be done is to change places with the hives; if the bees should be clus-
tering on the outside of the hive of the strong colony, remove it a
short distance (say twenty-five or thirty feet) from its former position ;
set the other hive where it stood, then brush the surplus bees from
the former on to a cloth, and set the hive in the place where the other
was removed from; the bees that are left on the cloth will immediate-
ly return to their former alighting place, and enter with the weak col-
ony; and for several days following many of the bees that sally forth
to the fields from the strong colony, will return to the place of their
former residence, and unite with the weaker one.

SWARMS CONSIST OF BEES OF ALL AGES.

Many persons (and bee-keepers, too,) are of opinion that swarms
are composed entirely of young bees, and that those that remain in
the parent hive are bees of the previous year, but this is a mistaken
idea; swarms are composed of a mixture of old and young bees, and
are led off by the old queen. They appear to issue forth at the time
of swarming, without regard to age, leaving also a mixture of all ages
in the parent hive. A majority of course, in both families, are young
bees, as four-fifths of the whole population is produced every spring.

CHAPTER XIX.

THE CONVERSION OF THE EGG OR LARVA OF A
WORKER TO A QUEEN.

Tuat the bees do possess the power, when deprived of their queen, * |
of supplying the deficiency by converting the larva of a worker into |
@ queen, is a fact at this day well known by all scientific apiarians at
least.

Schirach has the honor of first making this discovery, though in the
first instance accidentally, as we might say. He having used smoke
pretty freely in some of his experiments, which compelled a quantity
of the bees to leave the hive, and among them the queen. Knowing
that she had left, and the sad consequences that he supposed would
follow if she were not returned, he sought diligently for her, but with-
out success. Next morning he noticed asmall cluster of bees near the
hive that the queen had left, and among them he discovered the queen;
he carried her to the hive, when she was surrounded by the bees in
such a manner as satisfied him that she was their sovereign. And he
says, ‘‘What was my astonishment when, wishing to introduce her
among the combs, I saw the bees remaining, had already planned, and
almost finished three royal cells. Struck with the activity and saga-
city of these creatures to save themselves from impending destruction,
I was filled with admiration, and adored the infinite goodness of God
in the care taken to perpetuate his works. Having carried away two
of the cells, to ascertain whether the bees would continue their oper-
ations, I beheld next morning, with the utmost surprise, that they
had removed all the food from around the third worm left behind, on
purpose to prevent its conversion to a queen.”

Similar experiments have since been made by Huber, and a host of
other apiarians, and followed by similar results, and the fact is now
established with all scientific apiarians beyond the possibility of a
doubt.

The process adopted by the bees in producing artificial queens is

56

FORMATION OF ARTIFICIAL SWARMS. 57

the same as that of natural ones; all the difference there is in the oper-
ation is, the cells of the natural queens are formed before the eggs are
deposited in them; while the eggs, from which the artificial queens
are produced, are deposited in common worker cells, being the same
kind of egg that is deposited in a royal cell, all that is required to
make a queen of the worker egg is a more capacious cell and a differ-
ent kind of food.

The manner of converting a worker egg or larva into a queen is
as follows. As soon as the bees have ascertained that they are desti-
tute of a queen, or in a few hours after, they commence cutting away
three or four of the cells adjoining the one containing the larva they
have selected for a queen, and construct a royal cell of the contents
of the demolished ones. Usually from three to six of these royal cells
are commenced in different portions of the combs containing worker
eggs or larvae; the larve in these cells are now fed on different food
from that fed i the workers, being the same as that fed to natural
queens. This food changes the insect from a worker to a queen, pro-
ducing a more perfect development of the female organs.

Ore tity XX,
FORMATION OF ARTIFICIAL SWARMS.

AutHoucsH the art of forming artificial swarms has been known for
many years, yet but few apiarians have practised it to any extent.
The whole sum and substance, and I may say secret of forming artifi-
cial swarms, lies simply in the fact, that the worker bees possess the
power of converting a common worker egg (and even the larva, if it
is less than four days old) into a queen at pleasure. This is a wise
provision of nature, for did they not posses this power, many a colony
of bees would become extinct that now survive many years.

Having previously explained the manner in which artificial queens
are produced, which affords the basis of forming artificial swarms, I
will now proceed to inform the bee-master how he may produce artifi-
cial swarms with very good results, provided he has a hive containing a

58 FORMATION OF ARTIFICIAL SWARMS.

surplus number of bees, sufficient to constitute a family of medium
size. The earlier in the season a swarm is formed the better, pro-
vided the colony from which the swarm is taken affords sufficient
bees to constitute two colonies. Artificial swarms may, however, be
formed as late as the Ist of July, from colonies that have not swarmed
during the season, and that have a large surplus number of bees, gen-
erally clustering outside the hive. All that is necessary to be done

is to prepare a good clean hive, and a piece of brood-comb, from some *

hive in the apiary, containing worker eggs, or larvz less than four
days old. The piece of comb should be not less than three or four
inckes square. Prepare some melted bees-wax, and with a sponge or
small piece of cloth dipped in the melted wax, besmear the top of the
hive near the ‘centre, where the comb is to be attached, then witha
sharp knife trim off the edge of the comb that formerly was upper-
most, so as to have it fit the top of the hive; have a bar or some plate
_of iron with a smooth and even surface, heated, and place the edge
of the comb against the iron, sufficient to melt it, and then quickly
place it in the hive, with the melted edge in contact with the wax. If
the melted wax and the comb are put in at the same time, before the
wax hardens, so much the better, as it will unite the more firmly. It
would be well also to insert one or two sticks through the hive, a
short distance below the combs, to support the bees, as there would
be less danger of the bees disuniting the comb from the hive, in clus-
tering upon it.

The next thing to be done is to prepare for action. If the bee-
keeper has not a regular bee dress, let him put a gauze veil over his
face, making it secure against the entrance of bees, around his neck
and face, and put on a thick pair of woollen mittens or gloves, tied
tight around the wrists. If there are a large quantity of bees clustered
on the sides of the hive, smoking them a trifle with burning rags
will render them less irritable. The old hive should be taken up
gently, and the new one immediately set in its place, and the old one
carried a short distance from its former position, and if there should
be any bees on the outside of it, let them be brushed off gently upon
the ground or on a cloth, and the most of them will immediately return
to the new hive. If however, a majority remain in the old hive, turn

MASSACRE OF DRONES. 59

it bottom upwards, and with a small stick in each hand drum upon
the sides of the hive, until a portion of the bees leave. The hive
should then be placed upon the stand, at least ten or twelve feet from
where it formerly stood. Considerable additions will be made to the
new hive for several days, as many of the bees that issue forth from
the old hive will return to the new. It would not be advisable to
form artificial swarms later in the season than the first of July, and
not even then, unless the old stock is a very populous one.

CHAPTER XAT.
MASSACRE OF DRONES.

Tue usual massacre of drones takes place about the last of July or
‘beginning of August, sometimes earlier and sometimes later, accord-
ing to seasons and climate, generally not until after the swarming sea-
son has past, as they may then be regarded as of no further use to the
colony, but, as Dr. Bevan observes, useless consumers of the fruits of
others’ labors. These massacres continue for several days, and I have
many times watched the poor persecuted creatures, and could not but
pity them, as they were harassed by the laborers, and were not al-
lowed a moment’s rest or a particle of food while in the hive. Some
have supposed that their destruction has been effected by the sting of
the workers; others that their wings are disabled, and others that it
is through continued weariness and hunger; and, I think, from
observation, that as many die of the latter as of either of the other
causes, probably, a portion from each. Dr. Bevan says that at the time
of this general massacre, not only all the drones that have undergone
their full transformations, but every embryo, in whatever period of
its existence, shares the same fate; the maxim of bees being to attend
to the general welfare of the community, and to allow none to eat
that are not useful in some way.

CEA PT Re aed De

DRIVING OR DISLODGING BEES.

Every bee-keeper should understand this branch of bee culture,
as much benefit may be derived from it in many instances, in chang-
ing the bees from old hives to new ones. Various ways and means
have been resorted to to accomplish the result. Some use water,
others tobacco smoke, others fungus (or puff-ball), such as is found in
our meadows, in the fall and spring.

I have used all of these means in several instances, but I have had
the best success generally when I have used a little smoke of burning
linen or cotton ‘rags, in connection with drumming on the hive with
rods. In using water it injures the honey, and there is more danger of
destroying the bees. The best way to drive with water, (or the way
that I have had the best success,) is to prepare a cask with one head
out, a little longer than the hive, and large enough to receive it; have
sufficient water in readiness to fill the cask, and after blowing a
whiff or two of smoke under the hive containing the bees, bore
a hole in the top of it and turn it upside down carefully,
and set the other hive on the top of it, and immediately wind a
cloth around the hives, at the joint where they connect, so as to
entirely confine the bees, or there will be trouble in a short time, for
if there is left an opening large enough for a bee to escape, he will
find it, and so will others. Put a small quantity of water in the cask,
and set the hives in it, commence pouring in water slowly, and at the
same time drum smartly upon the lower hive with sticks. Ifthe cask
is too small to afford room to drum on the hive, it may be done for a
few minutes before the hives are set in the cask. Pour in the water
slowly, occupying some half hour in filling the cask. When the top
hive is taken from the other, it should be set on the stand where the
old one was taken from. Set the old hive a short distance from the
apiary, and take off one side and remove the combs, brushing off the
bees remaining among the combs, upon a cloth, and they will mostly
revive and return to the hive on the stand. The best time to per-

60

DRIVING OR DISLODGING BEES 61

form their operation is before sunrise. I will describe my other
method, and bee-keepers may choose which they prefer.

In driving, I have in every instance drove the bees into my boxes,
and the operation is as follows: First obtain a piece of board large
enough to cover the bottom of the old hive, containing the bees you
wish to drive; cut a hole in the centre of this, very nearly the size of the
inside of one of the boxes: if you have no compass-saw to cut out this
opening, split open the board, or take two pieces half the width, put their

- edges together, mark for the hole, and they may then be sawed with

—_——__

SSeS

_———_—

a hand-saw, and afterwards united and secured together by nailing a
couple of thin cleets on the upper side, against the side of the box, so
as to retain it in its place while driving the bees. Close the commu-
nications in the sides of the boxes with the dividers, and drive a small
tack against the back edge, to prevent them from moving, so as to let
the bees escape; close the opening in the front also with a piece of
wood. Set one of the small boxes on the top, then drive a good
size nail in the two opposite edges of the board this box stands on,
and tie a cord from the nail over the top of the boxes, so as to secure
them together firmly. See that the surface of the board the boxes are
attached to is even and level, to fit the old hive; provide some rods
the size of your finger, or pieces of flour-barrel hoops will answer.
And also tools to take off the side of the old hive after the bees are
out, and a long knife and pans to receive the combs and honey, as
it will be necessary to remove them, unless the new hive can be set
where the old one formerly stood. In this case the combs need not be
taken from the old hive, but the hive taken to a dark room or cellar,
and the remaining bees will leave and join their former companions.
Commence the operation by blowing a few whiffs of smoke under
the bees in the old hive, then turn it upside down carefully and
place the box over it, and stopping every little crevice between the
hive and box with rags, so as to secure every bee; and if a cord
were put around the whole now, and tied securely, it would pro-
bably save trouble, as there is danger of the board being moved and
let out the bees. (L always do this, as I find it the most safe way.) Now
let a couple of persons, with a rod in each hand, commence striking
smartly on the sides of the old hive, commencing near the bottom,

62 DRIVING OR DISLODGING BEES.

and working up gradually. A cloth should be covered over_the boxes
to exclude the light. When a majority of the bees have ascended
into the upper boxes, (which may be known by removing the cloth,)
raise the box a trifle, and blow a little smoke under the bottom, and
set it quickly into the hive; at the same time have another person
ready with another box, prepared to set over the old hive, and continue
the drumming until you find nearly all the bees have ascended into

the box, when it may be set into the hive. I prefer to remove the ©

combs immediately from the old hive, so as to obtain a portion of the
old combs that contain young brood and eggs, if possible; this I cutin
pieces to fit the small boxes on top of the large ones, and after sliding
out the glass, I set these pieces in, leaving a space between them, and
by cutting small strips and inserting between the combs, they may
be retained in that position until the bees attach them with wax. By
adopting the above method, I have found thatthe bees are not liable
to leave the hive after driving, as they will immediately ascend to
these brood-combs, and nurse and take care of the young brood, and
appear much more contented than if robbed of them entirely.

I have driven swarms in May, and taken fifty lbs. of surplus honey
from them the same season, and left a good supply for winter use.

A gentleman in Ohio informs me that he drove a swarm from an
old hive into one of mine, on the evening of the 18th of May, 1852,
and it swarmed twice during the season, and procured sufficient honey
to sustain them through the winter.

I have drove bees at different seasons, andI find that the earlier
they are drove the better; I would, however, not recommend driving
earlier than the first of April, and then they will require feeding until
fruit-trees blossom.

As a general thing, bees that are driven the first of May, will swarm

as early as those that are not, and often prove more healthy and

prosperous, and produce a larger amount of honey.

——

—

CH APT ER, Xx ded

SPRING MANAGEMENT.

THE prosperity of the bees during summer depends very much upon
the attention they receive in the spring. A small amount of labor
bestowed upon an apiary at this time will be well rewarded during
the season by the production of early swarms, and amount of surplus
honey produced. During the monthof March, or as soon as the snow
has disappeared—and the weather will admit of the bees going abroad,
(some seasons earlier, some later, and earlier in a southern than a
| northern climate,) the hives should be arranged for the season, as it is
an injury to the bees to be removed after they have commenced their
‘labors in the spring, and become accustomed to the location of the
hive; as by so doing many will be lost. ‘The floors should be cleaned
' of all filth and insects, and a little fine salt sprinkled under the edges
of the hive, and the hives set down upon their floors, and if any addi-
tional amount of ventilation has been afforded during winter, it may
now be dispensed with, leaving a small aperture either at the rear or
| bottom of the hive, sufficient to admit a small amount of ventilation,
but not large enough for the ingress and egress of the bees. It is dur-
ing March and April, and in some seasons until the middle of May,
that the bees require all the heat in the hive that they can possibly
generate, to develop and mature the young brood, and the warmer
the interior of the hive is kept at this season of the year, the earlier
swarms will be thrown off. Each hive should be examined also as to
the amount of honey it contains, and those colonies having but a
scanty supply of honey should be fed immediately, both to preserve
the lives of the bees, and invigorate and encourage them. And even
strong and populous colonies that have sufficient honey to sustain them,
may be very much benefited by feeding a trifle, as it encourages the
queen to commence laying earlier in the season than she otherwise
would, for she will never lay to any great extent until some means are
provided for the support of the young brood.

6s

64 SUMMER MANAGEMENT.

The hives should be raised and examined daily, and all filth removed |
from their floors, and if it is done gently, it will soon cease to disturb |
the bees, and they will receive it asa favor, rather than otherwise, |
and will soon become so completely domesticated that they may be |
handled with perfect safety, and when they throw off a swarm, it |
will be far less liable to leave, than if formerly neglected. If the hives |
are well sheltered from north and west winds, and brought within |
the rays of the sun at this season, this will also conduce to their early |
swarming.

CHAPTER XXIV.

SUMMER MANAGEMENT.

Durine summer weeds and all vegetation should be kept clear from |
the hive; spider webs also should be cleared away, and the hives pro-
tected from storms. This also is the time for moths, that is, during
July and August, and if the apiarian will occasionally at evening pass
around his hives with a light he may destroy a great many millers
that are lurking about the hives, much more successfully than during ~
the day-time.

These millers are of a light gray color, and about half an inch in
length, and rather slim—and are as spry as a weasel; it is utterly use-
less to attempt to catch or pick up one with the fingers, and the only
effectual way to dispatch them is to put on an old mitten, and with
the flat of the hand give them a sly and sudden slap; in this way aper- |
son after a little practice may succeed in destroying them with toler-
able success. They may often be seen during the day-time about the |
outside of the hive, or in the joints, or between boards. If a dish of ©
sweetened vinegar and water be placed near the hives during the |
night, a good many may be destroyed by this means, as they will be
attracted to it by its flavor and fall into it, and will not be able to arise
again. Many suppose that the miller will deposit her eggs in the
joints or cracks on the outside the hive, but this is a mistake, unless

WINTERING BEES. 65

there is wax or propolis to deposit them in. The egg requires some

nourishment to mature it, and instinct teaches the miller this, and this

accounts for her anxiety to gain an entrance into the hive where she

can have access to the wax and combs. The best and most effectual

protection against the ravages of this insect are strong stocks, and
_ hives that afford a small amount of unoccupied room.

CUHAP Pin XX V.

FALL MANAGEMENT.

Asout the first of September it is necessary to examine all the hives
in the apiary, and those containing weak swarms, or such as do not
fill their hives, should be set close upon their floors, and the entrance
for the bees contracted so as to admit only one or two at a time. This
will, in a great measure, prevent their being attacked by robbers. The
weight of each hive should be ascertained, and if found to contain less
than twenty lbs. of honey, they should be fed until that amount is
‘made up. October is the month for feeding. The hives from this
; time till spring should be sheltered from the rays of the sun, and kept
| in as even a temperature as possible.
|

OHA PR? Wh VL.
WINTERING BEES.

Mocu diversity of opinion exists among apiarians in regard to win-
tering bees, as well as on other points connected with bee culture.
Some recommend burying them in the earth, some removing them

; into barns or other out-buildings, some into cellars, while others let
them remain on the stand unprotected and exposed to all the various
changes of the weather, during winter warmed and animated by the rays

66 WINTERING BEES.

of the sun by day, and chilled and benumbed by the severe frost of night.
That bees will sometimes survive the winter, when properly buried,
and consume but a small amount of honey, I will not deny; but in
nine cases out of ten it will eventually prove their ruin, as the combs
are very liable to mould, and in that case they are unfit for use. The
same difficulty is liable to attend them when kept in cellars, unless it
be a very dry cellar, and the hives well ventilated. If the apiary be
an out-door one, the,hives may be removed into an out-building, if it be
a dry, unoccupied one; care, however, should be taken in supplying them
with a suitable degree of ventilation, and protecting them against the
attacks of mice. The common square hive may be ventilated in the
following manner during winter, and while it secures the bees against
vermin and all intruders, it confines them in the hive:—Take four |
strips of board, (hard wood is best) of such length as will form a hol-
low square or frame, just the size of the hive at the bottom. These
pieces may be from one to one and a half inches wide, and about the
same thickness. With a common hand-saw, saw across the pieces from
the upper side down to within one-fourth of an inch of the lower |
side. The nearer together the slats are cut, the better, as it gives |
more ventilation. Place them under the edges of the hives, with the |
sawed side up. Hives ventilated in this manner, whether in a build- |
ing or out, should be well enveloped in hay, straw, or something

(some apiarians have adopted the plan of setting boxes over their

hives) to entirely exclude the light, and keep the bees in as even tem-

perature as possible. A box a few inches larger than the hives

set over them answers a very good purpose, as they will remain

much more quiet, and consume far less honey than when left ex-—
posed to all the various changes of a northern climate. If one or

two holes be made in the top of the hive with a half-inch or three-
quarter auger, and a small box set over it, it will be beneficial |
in affording a means for the vapor to escape, that is produced —
by the breath of the bees, especially if the colony be a populous one, —
as large colonies require a much greater amount of ventilation than |
a small one, on the same principle that mankind do. If we confine |
ten persons in a room say twelve feet square, it is plain to every one
that they would require but one-tenth as much ventilation as one ~

WINTERING BEES. 67

hundred persons would in the same room. The same would be the
case if one thousand persons were confined in a room one hundred
feet square; it would be necessary that the room afford a good de-

j) gree of fresh air, continually passing in at some suitable point, and

also a passage for the impure air to escape. But if there were but one
hundred persons in the same room, the same amount of ventilation
that was absolutely necessary both for the health and comfort of the
former, would be both uncomfortable and injurious to the latter, (that
is, in very cold weather.) It is an old adage that “ circumstances alter
© cases,” and it is true in many points in the management of bees.
There can be no precise theory adopted in every case, without regard
to circumstances. I would, however, ebserve here, that in all cases
weak families that do not fill the hive, require less ventilation, and to
/ be kept warmer during winter than large and populous ones. Many
strong, populous colonies perish every season, just for the want of a
thorough ventilation of their hives. Many persons in the fall will set
their hives close down upon the bottom, and no means afforded for the
’ air to enter or escape, only where the bees enter. This often becomes
closed, or nearly so, when the vapor or dampness arising from the
5 breath of the bees condenses, often to such an extent as to run down
in large quantities on the bottom of the hive, when it freezes and
closes the entrance in some instances air tight, when the bees soon
perish by suffocation: and even if they do not suffocate, they become
so damp that they freeze. In conclusion, I would say that it will
be safe for every bee-keeper to observe the following rules in winter-
ing his bees:—Ist. Keep the hives in a perfectly dry and dark place.
2d. See that they are well ventilated. 3d. That they are protected
as much as possible from the extremes of heat and cold, consequently,
where the rays of the sun cannot have any effect upon them.

Some bee-keepers are in the habit of setting their hives bottom
upward, with a cloth tied over them to keep in the bees, and afford
ventilation. Mr. Miner recommends this in his winter management. But
this mode of wintering bees I disapprove of, in toto ; and it appears
to me that, upon a moment’s reflection, every bee-keeper must agree
with me, for every one knows that more or less bees die every winter
in the hive; there are also often large quantities of filth, composed of

68 FEEDING BEES.

particles of combs, and other dirt, that accumulate in the hive during
winter, and when the hives are set upside down, all this filth falls
down among the combs, and will often mould and sour, and injure
the combs very much.

GEA P THR, X dy, LL.

FEEDING BEES.

Frepine I consider a very important part of bee-management, al-
though it has been almost entirely neglected by a large majority of |
bee-keepers; many, however, are devoting more attention to the sub- |
ject than formerly, and when they have been enabled to manage so
as to prevent robbing, they have been well repaid for their trouble.
There is certainly a most decided advantage to be derived from feed- |
ing, in several respects.

1st. It enables the apiarian to winter his late and feeble swarms at
a trifling expense, that, if taken up, would yield him but a small
amount of honey, but when wintered over, often make as good stock
hives as any.

2d. It frequently occurs that strong and populous colonies—
perish with hunger, during the months of March and April, that one |
half hour’s attention and twenty-five cents worth of feed would have
prevented.

3d. Colonies even that have sufficient honey to sustain them, are
very much benefited by feeding a little during March and April, as it”
strengthens and encourages them, and as I have already stated, it in- |
duces the queen to commence laying earlier than she otherwise

would. -

4th. Colonies that are fed early in spring, will usually throw off |
swarms full two weeks earlier than those that are not. This I con- |
sider of much importance, as two weeks’ time during the last of May |
and first of June, is worth almost as much to a swarm of bees, as all |

i|
Z|

|

FEEDING BEES. 69°

°\ the rest ‘of the season. It also enables the old stock to produce a
‘much larger amount of surplus honey after swarming, than they
** otherwise would ; the swarms also have time to increase their num-
bers by breeding, and not only to provide sufficient honey for their
own support, but often a surplus of from ten to twenty lbs.
_ Various plans and devices for feeding bees have been recommended
|| and adopted by different apiarians. Some have recommended a large
| feeder, (or several of them in a large apiary,) placed near the hives,
| and all the bees fed at the same time. But I think whoever tries this
| wholesale feeding will be glad to abandon it, especially if he has any
neighboring bees within two miles of his apiary. I know of several
| who have commenced feeding in this way, (as recommended by Mr.
| Gilmore, of Maine,) who not only were robbed of so large an amount
ji of their feed; but they were obliged to stop feeding; but after they
|! did stop, had their hives attacked by the bees that had been baited
there by the feed ; and several colonies ruined by them.
|i Bees may be fed in the top of chamber hives, sufficient to sustain
|; them, provided especial care is taken to prevent robbing. Before
feeding is commenced, the hives should be set down on their floors,
‘and the entrance for the bees closed so as to admit only one or two
latatime. Ifthe hive is a chamber-hive the feeder may be placed in
| the chamber ; if the hive has no chamber, two or three inch auger-
holes may be bored in the top, and the feeder placed by the side of
| sa and covered with a small box, and this covered with a piece of
old carpet, to prevent other bees scenting the feed. If the hive is not
filled down within three inches of the bottom with combs, the feeder
may be set there, if but little feeding is desired; but recollect, when
feeding from the bottom the bees must be confined entirely while feed-
ing, or robbers will be sure to find it.

A feeder with a floating cover, made either of narrow strips of
boards, from one-eighth to one-quarter inch thick, and half inch
wide, with narrow strips tacked across their ends; or it may be made
of one piece slit with a fine saw as near together as every half inch, to

{within three-quarters of an inch of one end, and a piece tacked across
each end to hold the strips in their places. A small wooden pin or
jnail should be put in each end, one and a half inches high, to afford

ca

70 WAX MADE FROM HONEY.

facilities to raise it with, when the pan is to be filled with syrup. The
pan is made of tin, and about six inches square, and two inches high.
The float should nearly fill the pan, leaving no space for the bees to
get down between the edges and the pan. I shall give a description
of another kind of feeder, when I come to speak of my hives. A
composition for feeding that will answer every purpose may be made
of the following articles, viz. :— -
1st. 2 lbs. West India or Orleans sugar.
3 gills ale.
1 gill Malaga wine.
(If the ale and wine cannot be had, use sap or water.)
i tea-spoonful fine salt.
Mix together in a tin or copper vessel; set it over a slow fire; stir
occasionally until it arrives to a boiling point; set it off, and let it
cool, remove the scum, and it is fit for use.
2d. 1 gallon (or 12 Jbs.) of West India or any other honey.
4 lbs. West India or Orleans sugar.
1 gal. maple sap or water.
5 pint ale.
2 table-spoonsful fine salt.
Heat and mix as above.
N. B. The above may be made without the ale by using water.

CHA PTHE A AVIIT.

WAX MADE FROM HONEY.

Many bee-keepers are not prepared to believe that the combs are
made from honey, or that the honey and combs are both produced
from the same materials; but on this point I have not the least doubt,
for from my experiments in feeding, both in my observatory hive, and
in my combination hive, I am confident that whatever will produce
honey will also produce wax.

The following experiment of Huber is to the point: he says, “The
existence of the organs before described, and the scales seen under

| WAX MADE FROM HONEY. iz
lf

different gradations, induce us to believe them appropriated for the
Secretion of wax. But in common with other animal or vegetable se-
cretions, the means by which this is accomplished appears to be care-
fully veiled in nature.

Our researches by simple observation thus being obstructed, we felt
it essential to adopt other methods for ascertaining whether wax is
‘actually a secretion or collection of a particular sudstance.

\] Providing it were the former, we had first to verify the opinion of
| Reaumer, who conjectured that it came from an elaboration of pollen
in the stomach, though we did not coincide with him in the opinion
that bees then disgorged it by the mouth. Neither were we disposed
|\to adopt his sentiments regarding its origin; for like Hunter, it had
struck us that swarms newly settled in empty hives, do not bring
home pollen, notwithstanding they construct combs, while the bees
lof old hives, having no combs to build, gather it abundantly.

We had therefore to learn whether bees, deprived of pollen for a
Iseries of time, would make wax, and all that is required is confine-
iment.

{ On the 24th of May, we lodged a swarm which had just left the
(parent stock in astraw hive, with as much honey and water as neces-
sary for the consumption of the bees, and closed the entrance so as to
(prevent all possibility of escape, leaving access for renewal of air.

At first the bees were greatly agitated, but we succeeded in calm-
ing them by carrying the hive to a cold dark place where their capti-
vity lasted five days. They were then allowed to take flight in an
apartment, the windows of which were carefully shut, and where the
hive could be examined conveniently. The bees had consumed their
whole provision of honey; but their dwelling, which did not contain

an atom of wax when we established them in it, had now acquired
|\five combs of the most beautiful wax, suspended from its arch, of a
pure white, and very brittle.

We do not expect so speedy a solution of the problem, but before
concluding that the bees had derived the faculty of producing wax from
honey, on which they fed, a second experiment, susceptible of no other

f

explanation, was necessary.
The workers, though in captivity, bad been able to collect farina;

G2 ARCHITECTURE OF BEES.

while they were at liberty, they might have obtained provisions, on |
the eve, or on the day itself of their imprisonment, and enough might |
have been in the stomach or on the limbs to enable them to extract |

the wax from it that we found in the hive. But if it actually came

from the farina previously collected, this source was not inexhaustible, |
and the bees being unable to obtain more would cease to construct |

combs, and would fall into inaction.

Before proceeding to the second experiment, which was to consist
in prolonging their captivity, we took care to remove all the combs |

they had formed in that proceeding. Buernens made them return to
their hive, and confined them again with a new portion of honey.
The experiment was not tedious. From the evening of the

subsequent day we observed them working in wax anew, and on |

examining the hive the third day, we actually found five combs as
regular as those they had made during their first imprisonment.

The experiment was continued in such a manner as to satisfy Huber
fully, that feeding on honey effected the secretion of wax in their
bodies, without the aid of pollen.

CHAPTER XXIX.
ARCHITECTURE OF BEES.

Hacu comb ina hive is composed of two ranges of cells backed
against each other. These cells, looking at them as a whole, may be
said to have one common base, though no one cell is opposed directly
to another. This base or partition between the double row of cells
is so disposed as to form a pyramidal cavity at the bottom of each.
The mouths of the cells thus ranged on each side of a comb, open into
two parallel streets. These streets or interstices are sufficiently nar-
row to avoid waste room, and to preserve a proper warmth ; yet, wide
enough to allow the passage of two bees back to back. The usual

distance between the combs is somewhat more than one-third of an —

inch. There are apertures also left through the combs to afford a

ARCHITECTURE OF BEES. 73

passage crosswise from comb to comb, whereby much time and travel

| is saved to the bees. The bees build their cells of a hexagonal form,
| having six equal sides. There are only three forms in which the bees

‘can possibly build their cells and make them all equal, without the

|

Se ee esa — eee ne _ —_oe

lost of either material or space; viz.: The equilateral triangle, the
square, and the regular hexagon. Of these three geometrical figures,
the hexagon most completely unites the prime requisites for insect
architecture. First, economy of material; second, economy of room ;
thirdly, the greatest possible capatity, or internal space; fourthly,
economy of materials and’ economy of room, produce economy of
labor. And lastly, the greatest strength with the least amount of
material.

Huber asserts that the “desien of every comb is sketched out, and
the first rudiments laid by one single bee; that this founder-bee forms
a block out of a rough mass of wax, drawn partly from its own re-
sources, but principally from those of other bees, which furnish mate-
rials, in quick succession, from the receptacles under their bellies, tak-
ing out the plates of wax with their hind feet, and carrying them to their
mouths with their fore feet, where the wax is moistened and masti-

cated, till it becomes soft and duciile.”

Huber was enabled by means of his observatory hive to bring
each bee so completely under his view, that she might be seen to ex-
tract with her hind feet one of the plates of wax from under the
scales of her body, where they were lodged, and carrying it to her
mouth in a vertical position, turn it round so that every part of its
border was made to pass in succession under the cutting edge of the
jaws. It was thus soon divided into very small fragments; and a
frothy liquor was poured upon it from the tongue, so as to form a
perfectly plastic mass. This liquor gave the wax a whiteness and opa-
city which it did not possess originally, and at the same time rendered it
tenacious and ductile. The scales of wax thus prepared by the bees, are
applied by them to the roof or side of the hive, as the case may be; and
thus a block is raised of a semi-lenticular shape, thick at top and taper-
ing towards the edges. When of sufficient size, a cell is sculptured on
one side of it by the wax-working bees, who relieve one another in
succession, sometimes to the number of twenty, before the cell is com-

74 SIGHT.

pletely fashioned. The cells for the drones are considerably larger
and heavier than those for the workers, and being generally con-
structed later, are nearer the edges of the combs. Every cell that was
ever built by the honey bee, either for workers or drones, has been of
the same form, and no improvement can possibly be made in its con-
struction. ‘The depth of the store-cells, however, varies very mate-
rially ; they may be found from one-fourth to three inches deep.

CHAP DE RX RR.

SIGHT.

Many conjectures are entertained in regard to the sight of bees ;
and authors have failed to agree on this point as in most others. And
that there is something mysterious concerning it, every one who has
paid the least attention to the subject must readily admit. For, if
we follow the little laborer during its excursions in the fields, in search
for honey, we see it proceed from flower to flower with as much pre-
cision, as though this organ existed in its utmost perfection. And
when it has gathered its little load, it rises in the air, and as true as
the needle to the pole, it makes its way straight homewards, as if
in full view of the hive. But let the hive be moved only a few inches
to the right or left, or let the entrance be partially closed or turned
around only one inch or two, from the place it formerly occupied, the
bee appears not to notice this in the least, but flies with unerring pre-
cision to that point on the alighting board, formerly occupied by the
door of the hive, and after several fruitless attempts to find the en-
trance, it rises again into the air, as it would appear, for the purpose
of removing at such distance from the hive as is best suited to
the focus of its visual organ.

Dr. Bevan observes, ‘The eyesight of bees, notwithstanding the
wonderful mechanism of their eyes, seems less perfect than their
other senses; on some occasions it scarcely serves them to distinguish

ee

~

SIGHT. 75

the eutrance of their hives, when they come home loaded with pro-
visions.” Wildman thought they saw better when flying than when
on foot. But says Dr. Bevan, ‘I believe upon examination, that, this
opinion of Wildman will not be found quite correct; that the mere
act of flying does not enable them to see objects better, but when on
the wing, they are at a greater distance from these objects; the eyes
of these insects being so constructed as to enable them to see best at a
moderate distance.” Dr. Durham, in speaking of the age of the bee
and other insects, says, “that the cornea and optic nerves being at
one and the same distance, are fitted only to see distantial objects, but
not such as are very nigh.” “ This visual orb, this seemingly simple
speck, though really complicated piece of mechanism,” says Dur-
ham, “will be found upon examination to form a curious lattice-
work, of several thousand hexagonal lenses, each having a separate
optic nerve, ministering to it, and therefore to be considered as a dis-
tinct eye.”

Dr. Bevan, in speaking of these lenses, says, ‘‘ The hemispherical ar-
rangement of them enables the bee to see accurately in every direc-
tion, and without any interval of time or trouble.” I think, however,
that this assertion of the Dr.’s will not upon examination be found
quite correct, for I have many times been amused while watching the
operations of the sentinel, stationed around the entrance of the hive,
to see the bees, when a fly, or miller, or any other intruder, alights
near them ; with their wings raised, they will turn first one way, and
then the other, as if to ascertain the location of the enemy, and then
dart in that direction, but instead of going directly towards it, al-
though it may not be more than one inch from the bee, it will fre-
quently miss the object by one half that distance, when it will again
turn and rush at it with no better success than before, which proves
to my mind that their sense of vision is quite imperfect, to say the
least.

I have known of two or three instances where second swarms
have left their own hive, of their own accord, after occupying it for
a week or more, and constructing combs and storing considerable
honey. In each case above mentioned, the hives were standing on

the same bench, and not more than from eight to twelve inches apart ;

is

76 POLLEN OR BEE-BREAD.

and raised upon blocks a half inch thick, or more; which gave the bees
an opportunity to pass under the lower edges of the hives, from one
to the other. And after they had united, and were laboring harmo-
niously together, instead of all the bees alighting in front of the occu-
pied hive, the bees that formerly occupied the forsaken hive still con-
tinued to alight in front of and enter the latter; but instead of as-
cending it they would turn and pass out, and across to the other
hive, and deposit their loads, after which they would pass out in front ~
in company with tha former occupants of the hive. From these cir-
cumstances it appears to me that their sense of seeing is very imper-
fect. If not, why did they continue to pass through their former
habitation in this circuitous route, when it would have given them a
much less distance to travel to have entered in front of the hive, in
company with the first occupants of the hive.

CHAPTER XXXI.

POLLEN OR BEE-BREAD.

BEE BREAD is the yellow or reddish substance collected by the bees,
and carried into the hive on their thighs; it is the powdered particles
discharged by the anthers of flowers, in warm, dry weather. It varies
in color, from a pale yellow to a pale red.

This substance was formerly supposed (and is by some at the pres-
ent time) to be the prime constituent of wax, and gathered by the
bees for the purpose of comb-building. But the experiments of Huber
and Hunter, and even of others, have proved that wax, or the combs,
is a secretion from the bodies of the working bees, and that the prin-
cipal purpose for which they collect pollen, is to nourish or feed the
embryo-bees. Dr. Bevan observes that ‘ Huber was the first who
suggested this idea, and it well accords with what we observe among |
other parts of the animal kingdom: birds, for instance, feed their young
with different food from what they take themselves. Mr. Hunter ex- ©
amined the stomachs of the maggot-hees and found farina in all, but ©

PROPOLIS. tT

not a particle of honey in any of them.” During the fore part of the
day, while the flowers are yet wet with the dew, the bee may be seen
on the flowers, busily engaged in brushing off the farina, and convey-
ing it to the baskets or cavities in their thighs, and when a sufficient
quantity is collected she returns to the hive, when part of her cargo
is instantly devoured by the nursing-bees, as Dr. Bevan says, tc be
regurgitated for the use of the larva, and another part is stored in
cells for future exigencies in the following manner: “ The bee, while
seeking a fit cell for her freight, makes a noise with her wings, as if
to summons her fellow-citizens round her; she then fixes her two
middle and her two hind legs upon the edge of the cell which she has
selected, and curving her body seizes the farina with her fore legs, and
makes it drop into the cell; thus freed from her burden, she is fully
prepared to collect again. Another bee immediately packs the pollen
and kneads and works it down into the bottom of the cell, probably
mixing a little honey with it, judging from the moist state in which
she leaves it; an air-tight coating of varnish finishes this storing of
pollen.”

_ Bees often store bee-bread in large quantities, far greater than they
consume, and it proves an injury, inasmuch as it is of no manner of
use, and it occupies the combs that the queen would otherwise use for
brood-combs. This is one reason why bees do not prove as prosper-
ous after occupying the same combs for four or five years, for they
will yearly store more bee-bread than they consume, and after three
or four years they will often have one-third of their combs stored with
it, which renders such combé useless.

CHAP THR” 2 eT,
/

PROPOLIS.

Tus is a substance with which the bees attach the combs to the
roofs and sides of their dwelling, and cement the crevices and joints
of their domicil, and strengthen its weak places. It is a resinous sub-

78 PASTURAGE.

stance, very tenacious, and semi-transparent ; is of a dark reddish color,
resembling wax. It is gathered by the bees similar to pollen; they
transfer it from the first to the second pair of legs, and from them they
convey it to the hollow of the thigh. It hardens very soon after being
exposed to the atmosphere. Bevan says “that so rapid is this hard-
ening process, that the bees which store it oftentimes find some difh-
culty in tearing it with their jaws from the thighs of their collectors.”
In my observatory hive I have often seen the bees in the act of un- ~
loading those that had collected it. A bee will enter the hive loaded
with this substance, when several bees will approach her and commence
pulling the propolis from her thighs in small threads, and after obtain-
ing a small quantity, she will knead and work it over in her mouth
for several seconds, when she will proceed to deposit it about the
joints of the hive, or at the roof or side where they attach their
combs.

It is supposed by some writers that propolis is gathered from the
resinous exudations of trees, by others from flowers and other mate-
rials, At any rate, there appears to be no scarcity of this substance,
in any section or climate where honey-may be gathered, for bees are
always able to obtain a sufficient supply for all purposes.

CHAPTHR XXKITII.
PASTURAGE.

It is of the utmost importance to the success of bee-keeping, that
the apiary be located in a neighborhood supplied with good pastur-
age for bees, and especially where early blossoms abound. Among
these may be named the willow, the alder, the hazel, the white (or
soft) maple.

‘First the gray willow’s glossy pearls they steal,
Or rob the hazel of its golden meal,

While the gay crocus and the violet blue
Yield to the flexile trunk ambrosial dew.’’

————_——

———

PURCHASING BEES. 79

Gooseberries, currants, raspberries, peach, nectarine, apple, pear,
the locust, also, afford a rich yield of honey. Also, the bass-wood,
(or Lyme as it is called in some sections,) affords a good pasture for
some two weeks. Mustard, turnips, melons, squashes, &c., yield more
or less. But of all the blossoms that tend to supply the honey bee
with a bountiful harvest, none compare with the Dutch or white clover,
(Trifolium repens,) either in the amount it yields, or the richness or
purity of its favor. Wherever white clover abounds, there bees will
be sure to yield a rich harvest of honey, if properly managed.

There are seasons in which the bees gather a large amount of
honey from the leaves of forest trees, deposited by honey-dew, as it is
termed. Honey-dew appears on the upper surface of the leaves of
trees, is a tenacious, transparent substance, and as sweet as honey it-
self. Ihave seen it upon the leaves of the chestnut and the oak,
when the leaves would glisten in the sun, as though they had re-
ceived a coat of varnish. Various conjectures and speculations have
been entertained by different writers, as to the causes that produce
this substance, but I am strongly of the opinion that it descends from
the heavens, the same as the natural dews of the evening.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

PURCHASING BEKS.

In purchasing bees, their value depends upon the strength or
population of the colony, its weight, and the number of years they
have occupied the hive. A good populous family should have in the
fall from twenty to twenty-five lbs. of honey in store, for their winter
supply; though they often consume much less; depending upon the
season, and their exposure to the sudden changes from heat to cold,
during winter. Still I do not consider it safe to commence the win-
ter with less than twenty lbs. The number of years the colony have
occupied the hive may be judged, pretty correctly, from the complex-
ion of the combs, If it be aswarm of the previous year, the combs

80 TRANSPORTING BEES.

will be a whitish or straw color. If two years old, a light brown or
copper color. If from two to three years old, a darker brown, and if
over that, a still darker or nearly black. A colony more than two
years old (if in the same old combs) are not considered, generally
speaking, worth as much as those younger, merely on account of the
age of the brood-combs, as the longer they are used the thicker they
become, and the cells smaller, and consequently every generation or
brood of bees that are hatched in the same combs must necessarily be
smaller, and more puny and feeble. Old combs, also, are more liable
to contain moths than new ones. The strength or number of bees
may be ascertained by raising the hive, and looking into it, or by a
slight rap upon the side of the hive. If it is a populous family the
buzz or noise produced by the bees will be loud, and continued for two
seconds or more. Ifit be a weak family it will be quiet, and of short
duration.

CHAPTER Eee yy:
TRANSPORTING BEES.

THE proper time to move or transport bees is after they have
ceased their labors in the fall, and before they commence in the
spring.

In large hives or boxes there is more danger of the combs breaking
down than in small ones. I have found not the least difficulty in
transporting bees in my hives. I have carried them when full of
honey and bees one hundred and fifty miles, by carriage and rail-
road, without injuring them at all, as they are well supplied with ven-
tilation, and perfectly secure from escaping from the hive, to harm
any one.

In transporting bees in the common hive, if the combs are new, and
well stored with honey, it will render them less liable to break down,
to set the hive with the bottom up, with a cloth tied or made secure

|

BEES IN LARGH TOWNS OR CITIES. 81

over it to keep the bees confined, and also to afford them ventilation.
A wagon or carriage with springs is much better than a sleigh or sled
to carry them in, as the combs are less liable to jar down, though, in
cold weather, if there bea good quantity of straw or hay spread under
them, and care taken, they may be carried without danger in a
sleigh. The bees should first be made secure in the hives, and at the
same time sufficiently ventilated to prevent them from smothering.
The hives should never be moved from their location during the sea-
son, after they commence their labors in the spring, for in so doing it
disturbs the bees very much, and many will not be able to find the
hive, if removed to a new place, but will linger around their old loca-
tion, and finally perish.

CH ALP ER. XX KeVi E,

BEES IN LARGE TOWNS OR CITIES. +

Bers may be kept in most of our large towns, and even in cities,
with very good success; much, however, depends upon the surround-
ing country, as bees usually traverse a circumference of two miles, in
search of stores. Fruit-trees, shrubs, and flowers afford a good amount
of pasturage in villages, and cities especially, where the honey locust
has been introduced as a shade tree. In many villages in Ohio it affords
a rich pasture for some two weeks, and it comes at a season when it
is most beneficial to the bees, viz.: between the blossoming of fruit-
trees and the season of white-clover.

One, and the main objection to keeping bees in cities, is the trouble
and difficulty attendant on swarming; many persons would gladly keep
one family of bees, just for amusement, and to obtain honey for their
own family use, if swarming could be dispensed with. My hives
remedy this difficulty, and not only this, it is better adapted to these
locations, as it may be set in buildings, entirely out of the way, and
the honey taken without the least exposure to the bees, or disturbance
to them. I have sold over fifty of these hives, during the last four

4*

82 HOW THE BEES MAY BE DRIVEN FROM BOXES.

years, in the village of Newark, Licking Co., Ohio, and they have
produced a yearly yield of from fifty to one hundred and thirty pounds
of honey, of the purest quality, and the demand for them there,
where they have been thoroughly tested, is such, that a hive, with
a good swarm of bees in it, will readily sell for fifteen dollars. I
could have disposed of scores of them at that price last season, had I
the bees to accompany the hives.

CHAPTER Kx x verre

HOW THE BEES MAY BE DRIVEN FROM BOXES.

In boxes destitute of bottoms, there is little difficulty in clearing
them from the bees. Where the boxes wili admit of it, a little smoke
may be blown into it for a few moments previous to taking it from
the hive. Ifthe boxes have no bottoms, have a piece of board in
readiness, and set the box at once upon it to confine the bees, and it
may then be removed with safety to any place desired. I generally
perform this operation a little after sunset, at which time the bees are
desirous of returning home; and I think they will leave the boxes
more readily. After blowing a little smoke into the box I take it a
short distance from the hive and turn it bottom up on the ground;
the bees will immediately commence crawling upon the upper side of
the box and combs, when with a wing I brush them off carefully upon
the ground, and move the box a short distance and let others come
up, when I brush them off; and by continuing the operation for some
twenty minutes, the bees may all be made to leave. Another plan
practised by many, is to carry the box into the cellar, or dark place,
with a small opening to admit a little light, and the bees will soon
leave and make for the light and return to their hive.

If the boxes have no bottoms, bottoms should be fitted immediate-
ly. Ifthe honey is intended for market, thin board is best; but iffor
family use, a bottom made of press paper will answer every purpose.

VENTILATION. 83

Tt should be pasted to the box to exclude the air, ants, &c. Boxes
with bottoms having holes bored in them from the passage of the bees,
should also have paper pasted over the holes.

CRAPTER & Xe Vibil.

VENTILATION.

Beers, as well as mankind, in order to be healthy and vigorous, re-
quire a pure and healthy atmosphere. And a suitable degree of ven-
tilation, at all seasons of the year, is not only desirable, but absolutely
necessary, in order to secure the health, comfort, and prosperity of
the bees. It will also add much to the amount of honey produced by
them, as in a well-populated hive, not sufficiently ventilated, many of
the bees, during warm weather, are compelled by the heat in the
hive, to leave the interior of it, and cluster and idle away much of their
time, when they would be gathering and storing honey ifsuitable accom-
modations were afforded. During warm weather, there is no danger
of an excess of ventilation, provided in so doing the bees are not too
much exposed to the attacks of robbers and moths. Strong and pop-
ulous families require a greater amoynt of ventilation than weak ones,
at all seasons of the year; and both require less from the last of Feb-
ruary to the lst of May than during the remainder of the year; for
during this time the stocks are generally reduced in numbers, and
they require all the heat in the hive that they can possibly generate,
in order to mature the young brood. Therefore I do not consider it
advisable to raise the hives of weak stock only a little at the front
side, until they have increased so as to nearly fill the hive; then the
rear may also be raised upon small blocks, and the air permitted to
pass freely under the hive.

Bees, when oppressed with heat, possess the power of ventilating
their domicil; or, in other words, of fanning themselves with their
wings. Hundreds of bees may frequently be seen in the operation,
en the floor of the hive.

CHAPTER XXXIxX.
DISEASE OF BEES AND BROOD.

Some apiarians have much to say about the diseases of bees, such as
dysentery, diarrhcea, and diseased blood ; but I have never experienced
any difficulty from these diseases; and I am confident,in my own
opinion, that if bees are kept in hives properly ventilated, and attend- ~
ed to, that there need be but little fears apprehended from these dis-
eases. In the first place, I believe that the causes that produce these
diseases, are 2 want of ventilation in the hive during winter.

Hives that are not sufficiently ventilated, retain so much of the va-
por and dampness that arise from the breath of the bees, that the
combs often mould and sour; and in some instances even the honey
will ferment and sour. This, with the impure atmosphere in the hive,
will not only ruin the combs, but the bees also.

All hives should be so constructed as to admit a free circulation of
pure air at the bottom, and at the same time exclude moths and other
insects, and have an opening (or openings) at the top, to let the vapor
and dampness that arise from the breath of the bees escape from the
hive. This opening should be covered with a box, to exclude the light
and insects, and to prevent too strong a current of air passing through
the hive, at some seasons of the year. Bees that are scantily supplied
with honey are more liable to become diseased than those that are well
supplied; and it is well to see to it in the fall, that every colony have
a sufficient store in to sustain them during winter, and if supplied with
pure air, not one colony in a hundred will perish from any cause.

CHAPTER-XL.

TOOLS FOR CUTTING COMBS.

Ir is necessary that every person using the common hive should
have tools suitable for cutting out combs. They may be made by —

blacksmith, and at a trifling expense.

Ld

I

—_——— ee ee ee

eT

PRUNING. 85

The accompanying cut represents the form best adapted to the pur-
pose; each should be twelve or fourteen inches long, exclusive of the
handle, and the blades sharp, so as to cut the combs without breaking
or bruising them. A spatula, or a long thin carving-knife, also, will
be found very useful and convenient in pruning or cutting out combs.

PRUNING.

Pruning, as it is termed, is practised by some bee-keepers who use
the square or common hive; but it is attended with more or less
difficulty, especially by timid persons, and it also disturbs the bees;
and if the combs contain honey at the time of pruning, so as to drip,
it not unfrequently attracts other bees, and induces them to rob the
colony and often destroy them. Some, however, practise it, and are
very much in favor of this mode of management, and consider it pre-
ferable to any other, and recommend it as the very best method of
managing bees in such hives as I have named. Others have tried it
to some extent, and have abandoned it altogether for the reasons
above stated. Hence we find, that in this branch of bee culture
apiarians do not agree any better than on other points connected with
it; and the reason is obvious: for while one bee-keeper can handle
his bees as he chooses without the least fear of their stings, will turn
his hives upside down and cut out the combs, and handle them as though
they were so many flies, another person would not perform the oper-
ation to save a colony from destruction; therefore a hive that one
person may prefer, and that he can manage bees in to his own satis-
faction, another person would not use even if he never kept any bees.
Any person wishing to prune his hives containing old combs, may do
it without much danger from the bees, and even without any danger,
if he will only provide himself with a bee dress, such as I have de-
scribed in- another chapter.

The bees should be first fumigated with the smoke of puff-ball, tobac-
co, or cloth ; the puff-ball is the most effectual ; and in pruning, it should

86 - TO EXTRACT HONEY FROM THE COMBS.

not be used too freely, as it will perfectly stupefy the bees so that they
will fall down as dead. After applying the smoke for a few moments,
or I might say for one moment, turn the hive bottom up, and with
the pruning tools cut out about one half of the combs down to the cross-
sticks, or about half way of the hive, unless you find that the combs
near the centre of the hive contain young brood; in that case, such
may be left. The best time to perform this operation is in the spring |
of the year, say about the lst of April. On the following spring, the . |
other half may be taken, and by so doing the colony very much ben-
efited.

CHAP PE Rin wkedad.,

TO EXTRACT HONEY FROM THE COMBS.

As the combs are taken from the hive, those portions containing
honey free from brood and bee-bread, and fit for use in the combs,
should be cut and separated from the other and kept by itself. And
such as have a mixture of honey, bee-bread and young brood, put in
a cullender or flannel bag, and put it in a tin pan, and set it in an oven
(not sufficiently warm to melt the combs,) and let it remain there for
an hour or two, occasionally changing the positions of the combs, so as
to let the honey drain from both sides of the combs; they may then be
slightly pressed ; if, however, there should be no brood in the combs,
it will not injure the honey to press the combs as hard as one may
choose. A little warm water may then be poured upon the combs,
and again pressed, and the syrup thus obtained will answer very well
to feed the bees; if it should be too thin, add a little brown sugar, or
poor honey, and heat sufficient to scald and incorporate it thoroughly,
and when cool remove the scum and it is fit for use.

C A Et en ee
BEES-WAX.

I rinp that there are many persons that have kept bees for years,
that do not rightly understand the method of making wax from the
_ combs.

The way I generally manage is as follows: After the combs have
been cut from the hive and the honey separated from them, press
them together and put them into a flannel bag, (the smaller the bag
the better, if it will contain the desired amount of combs); put the bag
into a kettle and a flat stone on the top, to keep it under the water
while boiling, fill the kettle with water, and set it over the fire, and let
it boil 40 or 50 minutes, take it from the fire, and if the kettle is large
enough to afford sufficient room for the wax to rise above the stone,
the stone nor bag need not be removed until after the wax has become
cold, and been removed; for if they are taken from the kettle before
the wax is, much of it will adhere to the stone and bag, and be
roasted.

If the wax is not as pure as desired, wash the bag and put the wax
into it the second time, and melt it with water as at first. The wax
may then be put in a smaller vessel and melted, and poured into cups
or pans, and formed into cakes as desired. The pans should first be
rubbed over with a little grease to prevent adhesion.

Nn SS

CHAPPER, SUIT.
BEE DRESS.

Every bee-keeper that has much to do with bees, should prepare
himself with a bee-dress of some description, so as to be prepared for
any emergency that may occur.

88 BEE DRESS.

Some apiarians can handle bees in all ordinary operations without |
fear of their stings. Still there are occasions that even to such, a bee- |

dress would be very acceptable. Some persons in hiving swarms

throw a veil over their head and face, but this affords only an imper- |
fect security, though it may answer for all ordinary occasions; still, I

think that, as the expense is so trifling, every bee-keeper should pro-

vide himself with one. It can be made in the following manner, and |
the cost will not exceed two shillings :—Take one and a half yard of « |
thin, light, three-quarter muslin, and a piecg of wire-cloth, (such as is |

used for meal sieves,) about six inches square; it may be obtained of
wire-weavers in most of our large towns and cities, or of hardware deal-
ers. Lay the muslin over the head, with the ends down over the shoul-
ders, with one end of the selvedge in front, and the other back. The back
part may be cut and fitted to the head, and a cord run in to gather it
around the neck, and the wire-cloth sewed in over the face, first
rounding the corners in shape of the face. It should extend down be-
low the mouth, to afford free respiration, and the muslin sewed to-
gether below the wire-cloth, sufficient to extend below the vest. It
may be worn under a coat, but it is not the best way, as it is usually
warm weather when it is worn, and with the head-dress, and a coat
over it, a person will be very uncomfortable on account of the heat;
besides, the bees will crawl up under one’s coat and vest, and when
in close quarters will often prick through the shirt, and tickle a person
under the ribs. To prevent this and the other difficulty, I have pre-
pared myself with a garment made of the same kind of material as
the head-dress, and in the form of a hunting shirt, open before, with
buttons close together, to button up tight. I first put on my head
dress, and then over this my hunting shirt, buttoned under my pants;
and with a pair of thick woollen gloves with stocking legs, sewed to
the wrists, to draw up over my sleeves, and my pants tied over my
boots, I can defy all the forces they choose to bring against me.

OHLAP TR. Aly BV.

CURE FOR BEE STINGS.

Many persons suffer great pain from the sting of bees, and are
not aware of a palliative to relieve the pain. Tobacco is considered
by some as the best remedy, though other-articles are frequently
used. The manner of applying it is as follows:—Moisten smoking
or chewing tobacco until the juice appears of a dark color, and apply
it to the part stung, binding it on. If the tobacco becomes dry, moisten
it. Ammonia or spirits of hartshorn, saleratus and water, sliced
onions, and cold water alone, are all of them used as curatives.

CHArrin ALY.
SALT AND WATER NECESSARY

Sat is sometimes spread near and around the hive of bees. They
partake of it in small quantities, and it is considered beneficial to the
health of bees. They are fond of it, and as it is productive of no
harm, a supply of it is kept where they can eat it as their wants re-
quire.

Water is also necessary ‘o the health of bees, and where running
water is not at hand, it is advisable to keep a sufficient quantity in
a basin or trough for their use. It is indispensable to the bee in
constructing combs, and if there is no standing water near, a shallow
tin pan should be placed near the apiary, filled with small stones,
about the size of birds’ eggs. The vessel should be filled with fresh
water every morning. The object of the pebbles is to prevent the
bees from drowning, as would be the case without such precaution
being used.

89

CHAP DER, iw?
REMARKS.

In the foregoing pages, I have endeavored to state my views in as
brief and explicit a manner as possible. My opinions, as there stated, °
are the results of practical experience and observation during many
years’ careful attention to the subject. I am aware that my views
and mode of management differ in some respects from other writers
on the culture of the Bee; but I have endeavored to give my reasons
for forming my opinions, and adopting and recommending the form of
hive and mode of culture herein stated, and I leave it with the intel-
ligent and impartial Bee-keepers of the United States to judge of the
merits of my labors and the value of my invention. And, judging
from the universal satisfaction my hive has given during four seasons
past, and the high commendations bestowed upon it by ninety-nine
out of every one hundred that have used, or examined it, I can but
feel confident that unlike a large majority of the patented hives that
have been disposed of during the last fifteen years, it will prove a va-
luable invention to the Bee-keeper, and divest the subject of much
that has formerly been considered mysterious, uncertain and difficult,
and enable every person that has a desire to engage in the business,
to prosecute it successfully, profitably and pleasantly.

The few remaining pages will be devoted to a description and ex-
planation of my Onto Compination Bes-Hive, to which I append a
few of the numerous testimonials I have received from practical ex-
perienced Bee-keepers, who have tested it.

(90)

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92 PHELPS’ OHIO COMBINATION BEE-HIVE.

of the building, and the openings cut through the weather-hoarding to correspond with
the openings in the boxes, for the ingress and egress of the bees, and the bees may then
be set in, and the communication closed between different colonies. Hives got up in this
manner, and enclosed in a building, will last an age, and will keep the bees in an even
temperature during winter, which will be a benefit to them ; and they will consume less
honey than when exposed to the various changes of the weather.

Fig. 1 is a view of the rear of the hive, with the lid raised, showing the arrangement
of the upper tier of boxes, each with a pane of glass, 6 by 12 inches, covering the entire
top of the box. The rear door is also open, showing the arrangement of the main boxes,
each with a pane of glass in the back side, 7 by 9 inches, to observe the operations of the
bees, and amount of honey in store, &c.

Fig. 2 represents one of the main or large sections, having the communication closed
by a dividing shutter that is attached to the side of the box by a screw at its lower end, .
which forms the pivot upon which it moves to open and close the communication between
the boxes. The boxes are all alike, and may be changed to any pari of the case without
difficulty. An aperture is cut in the front of each box, as seen at c, Fig. 2, for the ingress
and egress of the bees ; a spout, or alighting-board, is attached to the front of the hive
of sufficient length to reach through weather-boarding when set in a building.

Fig. 8 represents one of the small boxes; these may be made either with or without
bottoms ; the top is covered with glass. They will contain, when filled with honey, from
eight to ten pounds ; the lower boxes about thirty pounds.

The bottom is attached to the front of the hive by butts, and may be let down at any
time without disturbing or moving the boxes, as they stand upon strips nailed to the case
at the bottom, against which the bottom shuts and forms a tight joint. The bottom, when
closed, is kept in place by a button at each end. There are ventilating openings through
the bottom, three inches in diameter, covered on the under side with perforated tin doors,
that may be opened and closed at pleasure. The moth-trap, or device for catching and
destroying the moths after they get into the hive, cannot be seen in the engraving, as it
is placed upon the floor of the hive under the adjoining edges or sides of the boxes. It
consists in a strip of board, grooved or rabbeted at the edges, to form a harbor for the
moths on the bottom of the hive ; this slide, or trap, is covered with a tin case, with open-
ings at its lower edge, corresponding with the grooves in the trap; the case prevents the
bees from fastening it to the floor, and admits of its being withdrawn and returned with-
out disturbing the bees. This invention is acknowledged by those who have tested it, to
be the most simple, convenient, and effectual device for destroying moths ever invented.

This hive is truly a Combination Hive,in every sense of the word. And, although it
combines so many advantages, it is perfectly simple in its construction, and bees are
managed with less difficulty and better success in it than in any other hive, as all that.
have used it will testify.

The advantages it possesses over others are :—

Ist. Its perfect adaptation (in regard to size) to the actual wants of a colony of bees,
at all seasons, let 1t be a large or small one.

2d. The facilities it affords for obtaining surplus honey, or removing any portion of the
old combs, are superior to any other, as ihe bees may be made to leave either box when
desired, before removing it from the hive, without disturbing or injuring them in the least.

3d. It affords the best opportunity for observing the operations of the bees, the amount of
honey in store, and the strength of the colony, at all times, without exposure to the bees.

4th. The construction of the hive with the alighting board is such, that it will often save
the expense of a building on purpose for bees, as it may be set in any out-building, or in
a dwelling, as has often been done by those using it.

5th. It is acknowledged to afford the bees better protection against moths and robbers
than any other hive, as the small aperture at wh‘ch the bees enter is the only means of
access for the miller, and this being three inches over the bottom, the bees are not so liable
to leave it during evening, as if it was at the bottom of the hive.

6th. It affords a more convenient and effectual means of destroying moths after they
get into the hive, than any other.

ith. It is also acknowledged to be the best swarming hive known, as the bees may be
confined to a suitable amount of room until after they swarm, when more room may be
given, and further swarming prevented, and a larger amount of honey obtained than in
any other hive.

8th. It may also be used as a non-swarming hive, as ample room may be given, and the
surplus honey and old combs removed as ojten as desired, without disturbing the bees,
and a larger amount of honey obtained than in any other hive.

9k. It is acknowledged, by all who have fed bees in it, to be the most convenient hive
for that purpose, known, and the only one that bees can be fed in with any degree of
safety against robbers.

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I

PHELPS’ BEE-FEEDER. 93

10th. It is well arranged for wintering bees successfully, as it is well ventilated, and the
boxes containing the bees being enclosed in a case, keeps them in an even temperature
during winter, and they consume much less honey than in single hives.

PHELPS’ BEE-FEEDER.

THE above cuts represent a feed-box and float, of my own invention, that I have con-
structed expressly to accompany my Combination Hive, although it may be applied to
other hives. It consists of a tin pan, or tray, placed in a wooden box, with a float to fit,
and a tin tube passes through the float and is secured to it on the under side. The float may
be raised at any time, even if it is covered with bees, by means of the tube, and the syrup
poured into the pan through the tube by inserting a funnel in the top of it. The float sup-
ports the bees and prevents them from getting into the syrup, and as they consume the
syrup it settles down with them. A piece of wood across the top of the box, with a hole
for the tube, keeps it in its place, anda pane of glass on each side of this confines the
bees, and affords an opportunity to observe their operations while feeding. The feeder is
piaced in the case by the side of one of the lower sections, while feeding, and the bees
do not have a distance of over six inches to travel from the main body of the hive to
obtain their feed, and the communication from the hive to the feeder being near the top of
the box containing the bees, robbers are not at all liable to find their way to it, as they
must enter the small aperture in the front of the hive, and pass nearly through the centre
of the colony, toreachit. With this feeder, arranged in this manner, a colony of bees
may be fed with as little trouble, by a woman or child, as a brood of chickens.

Wo) PO eS :
GHlQ COMBINATION BEE-HIVE.

Tan subscribers are now prepared to sell State, County, or individual rights for the best
Bee-Hive in the United States, on the most favorable terms. No other hive has given as
good satisfaction as this, after a thorough trial, and it receives the unqualified approbation
of ninety-nine out of every hundred that use or examine it, which cannot be said of any
other hive in the United States.

Individual rights, $4 ; for Hive and individual right, $8 ; Hive and right to use the same,
and no more, $6 ; Feeder and receipt for different kinds of feed for wintering bees, and,
also, for obtaining honey for market or table use, $1. Full specifications for making the
hives, and directions and explanations for using, sufficient to enable any person who never
kept bees, to manage them without difficulty and successfully, (if he will follow the
directions,) accompany the right. Address, post-paid,

E. W. PHELPS & CO., Westfield, Mass.

RECOMMENDATIONS.

[THE following extracts, from letters and certificates of commendation, are a few that
I have selected from a large number that I have received from practical bee-keepers whe
have had my hive in use for a period of from two to four years, and have had an oppor
tunity to test its utility from practical experience ; and, therefore, their opinions are en-
titled to much more confidence than the mere assertions and opinions of persons judging
only froma hasty examination of an article in which so many have been deceived in
forming their opinions. ]

I hereby certify, that I put a swarm of bees in one of E. W. Phelps’ Patent Bee-Hives
on the 18th day of June, andduring the season they filled three of the lower boxes. The
next season I took ten boxes of honey that averaged fifteen pounds each, and one large
box, which I should think would weigh from forty-five to fifty pounds. On a fair caleu-
lation, I feel sure in saying that I took, in all, 180 pounds of honey, and during the month
of June, my family being sick, and the bees being in the chamber above, I neglected to
take the honey from them, and they swarmed twice. This spring I sold the Patent Hive
and bees for $15, and the two new swarms for $5 each, making a profit in less than two
years of 180 pounds of honey, at 12 1-2 vents per pound, which is $21.60, and $17 in cash,
together making $38.60. JOHN J. PUTMAN.

Newark, O., April 15, 1849.

| have been using one of the above Bee-Hives for two years past, and believe them to
be decidedly the best hive that has come within my notice. T. W. WILSON.

We, the undersigned, certify that we are using E. W. Phelps’ Patent Bee-Hive, and that
we think it superior to any other known to us. During last season we tried the experiment

of dividing a colony, and it succeeded to our satisfaction ; both swarms did wellyand we
sonsider it altogether the best hive that has come within our notice. F. ¥. LAMB,
Newark, O., March 10, 1852. L. MERCHANT.

Mr. C. Springer, member of the O. S. B. of Agriculture, and President of the Muskingum
Co. Agricultural Society, in a communication to the State Board, says :—‘‘It is my decided
opinion that Mr. Phelps’ Hive is the best adapted to the habits of the bee, and the conven-
ience of the apiarian, of anything of the kind that has come within my notice.

1st. I have never examined so convenient a moth trap. 2d. It has a good arrangement
for taking the surplus honey, without which a swarm is comparatively useless. 3d. The
arrangement for removing the old combs, so essential to keep a colony in health and vigor,
is of the best kind. 4th. Its adaptation to the strength and size of a colony has much
merit. My swarm on the Affleck plan are at this time unusually troubled with moths, while
I find none at all in the Phelps hive. For these reasons I should certainly think Mr. P.
entitled to Letters Patent, for his ingenuity and skill. I have had several interviews with
the gentleman, and believe him to have studied the habits of the honey-bee with more
accuracy than any man with whom I have conversed on the subject.

““C. SPRINGER, Meadow Farm, Muskingum Co., 0.”

We, the undersigned, citizens of Licking County, Ohio, hereby certify that we have been
using E. W. Phelps’ Patent Bee-Hive, and that we have satisfactorily tested its great utility.
We conceive it decidedly superior to any other invention for the keepmg of bees, the pro-
tection of them from moths and other common enemies, and for the facility of procur-
ing of honey without injury to the swarm. The manner of arranging the dividing shutters
is an advantageous improvement over anything of the kind we have ever seen, and in
fine, we deem the whole invention, from our practical experience, and from what we
know of the habits of bees, a very useful invention, and well deserving of the immunities

of a patent.

H. N. PARKS, A. SHERWOOD, THOS. BLANCHARD, P. N. 0’BANNON,
HENRY FORRY, JOHN BRUMBACK, JAMES WELLS, WM. ALSDORF,
JAMES STONE, WM. SHIELDS, V. ALSDOBF, MLE
SAM’L BOWERS, PETER HOLLER, GEO. ENGLE.

4

RECOMMENDATIONS. 5

I hereby certify, that I am using E. W. Phelps’ Patent Combination Bee-Hive, and, from
practical experience, I am satisfied that it is the best adapted to the nature and habits of
the bees, and, also, the most convenient for the bee-keeper, of anything of the kind that I
have become acquainted with, and I have kept bees for over twenty-five years, and have
used Dugdale’s, and two or three other patents, but consider Phelps’ Hive far superior to
either, or all of them, in every respect. JAMES WELLS.

Union, Licking Co., O., Sept. 20, 1850.

I hereby. certify, that I have kept bees for several years, and have paid considerable
attention to the subject, and that Iam now using E. W. Phelps’ Patent Hive, and that it
has fully answered my expectations. I think it the best adapted to the wants of the bees,

, and the most convenient hive I have ever known. OLIVER A. MOORE.
| Montgomery, Jan. 1, 1853.
y

To whom it may concern: I hereby certify, that, for some time past, I have felt much
interested in the culture of the honey-bee, and being desirous of adopting the best method
of managing them, after much investigation, I was led to believe Mr. Gilmore’s plan just
| the thing needed, and, consequently, I purchased a right of Mr. Headly, (Mr. G.’s agent,)
and, last spring, 1 commenced feeding on Mr. Gilmore’s plan, and was soon obliged to aban-
‘don it, on account of my bees being robbed by others. Some time in the latter part of
June last I had an opportunity of seeing Mr. E. W. Phelps’ hive, and considering it far
superior to Gilmore’s plan, or any other of which I have become acquainted, I purchased
‘a hive of Mr. Phelps. But the season being so far advanced, I was unable to get a swarm
| into it, (as the swarming season was nearly past when I obtained the hive). And being
anxious to get a colony into the Phelps hive, I drove one into it about the middle of last
October, and with a few days feeding, they made honey enough to keep them until about
‘the middle of January. Since that time I have been feeding them in his house, and they
{ are now (Feb. 28th) doing well. I have not only saved my bees, but got them into the
| hive in which I wanted them, and obtained about sixty pounds of honey from the old hive.
| [have no hesitation in saying that I consider the Phelps Hive the best hive I have ever
seen; the most convenient and simple in its construction, and the best adapted to the
\habits and wants of the bee, and the least trouble to the bee-keeper of any other hive
| extant. WM. VAN VRANKEN.
| Schenectady, N. Y., Feb. 28, 1853.

I hereby certify that I am using E. W. Phelps’ Patent Bee-hive, and consider it decidedly
\ the best hive I have become acquainted with, and I have kept bees for seven years, and
paid considerable attention to the subject. It affords the bees the best protection against
(the moth, robbers, and other enemies of any hive I have ever used, and I have not experi-
enced the least difficulty from these causes in these hives, and it is, undoubtedly, the best
hive for feeding bees known, as I have tried it to my own satisfaction. I put a swarm
into one of these hives in July last—it was a weak swarm, and the season being very dry,
there were but a very few blossoms for bees to obtain honey from—consequently they gath-
ered but a small amount, not half enough to sustain them through the winter. I prepared
some feed according to the directions accompanying the hive, and commenced feeding them
about the 20th of August, and fed them for four or five days, and I found they were making
combs and storing them with honey beyond my expectations, while the bees in my other
{hives were consuming theirs daily; and, in order to know to what extent each were pro-
gressing, I weighed the hive that I was feeding and two others of the same kind that
contained stronger families and had sufficient honey to sustain them. I then prepared
$1.20 worth of feed and fed the small swarm, which occupied about a week’s time; I
then weighed the hives again, and found that the swarm that I had fed had increased in
iweight 114 pounds, while the others had decreased 3$ pounds each, making 15 pounds in
‘favor of feeding. I continued feeding until I had fed them about $3 worth of feed, and
have since taken from them two boxes of good honey of ten pounds each, which is worth
more than the cost of all the feed I gave them, and I have also saved the bees, which
would not have survived the winter had they not been feed. I am also acquainted with
several bee-keepers in this vicinity who are using this hive, all of which are highly pleased
with them. EDWIN PHELPS.
Westfield, Mass., March 25, 1853.

[The following certificate is the second I have received from the Rey. C. Springer; he
has now three of my common hives in use and one of mahogany, in the form of a wash-
stand, in his sitting-room, with bees in it. ]

This is to certify, to whom it may concern, that I have had in use Phelps’ Patent Bee-
Hive for three seasons past, and that my bees have done well therein. It is simply the

—

96 RECOMMENDATIONS.

common hive placed in a chest, and surrounded by a number of contrivances by far the

best adapted to the habits of the bee and the wants of the apiarian of anything that has

come under my notice. C. SPRINGER.
Meadow Farm, Muskingum Co., O., Oct. 28, 1852.

[The following is an extract from a letter I received from Isaac Griffin, of Quaker
Springs, Saratoga County, N. Y. He first purchased a hive, and, after using it, he bought
the right for Saratoga County ; since then he has purchased the right for four counties
more. }

‘RESPECTED FRIEND, E. W. PHELPS :—Last week I took my hive to our County Fair, and
was awarded a premium of $1.50. I have made some progress in selling rights, and have
met with much better success than J anticipated ; so, now, I can say that I would like to

urchase part, or all, of the following counties.’? [Naming five counties, four of which«
Taauree sold him.] ‘‘ Thy friend, respectfully, ISAAC GRIFFIN.
‘““ Quaker Springs, Saratoga Co., N. Y., 9th month, 21st, 1852.”’

[I am credibly informed, that in less than one week’s time he disposed of $325 worth of
rights in Saratoga county, and was offered $100, cash in hand, for four towns more. The
following is from the same, since purchasing four counties above mentioned :]

ESTEEMED FRIEND, E. W. PHELPS :—I have just returned from a twelve days’ tour in
Columbiana and Renssalaer counties, as I think with very good success. I have appointed
several responsible agents that are to pay me $2 for every right disposed of. In addition
to the above, I have realized $20 for individual rights. I will observe that I have shown
my model hive to a great many persons, and there has not yet an individual told me that
they ever saw a hive that combined so many advantages as this, and the general sentiment
has been that it stands unrivalled. Thine, respectfully, ISAAC GRIFFIN.

Quaker Springs, 12th month, 18th, 1852.

Mr. E. W. PHerps—Dear Sir :—I have now had bees in your hive two seasons, and it —
has more than answered my highest expectations. I consider it decidedly the best invention
for keeping bees that has come within my observation, and I have kept bees for a number
of years, and have paid a good deal of attention to the subject—have examined hives of
various forms and patents—but, in my opinion, none will compare with yours, when put
into practical use ; for, the lager I use yours, the better satisfied I become of its great
utility. I consider it just what the bee-keepers of our country have long needed. The
arrangement of your boxes, (or sections, ) with the pane of glass in the back side, and the
dividing shutters attached to cut off the communication, places the colony under the in-
spection and control of the apiarian without the slightest exposure to the bees. The
arrangement of the bottom, also, with the moth-traps, placed within the hive, is the most —
simple and effectual device for preventing the ravagés~of the moth, and the most conven- |
ient and effectual means to destroy them after they have entered the hive, that I have ever
known. And in fine, take the hive in all its parts, I consider it far superior to anything of |
the kind known tome. Itis my intention now to dispense with all my other hives, and ©
use none but yours. Your arrangement for feeding bees is the best and most convenient —
that I have seen ; this, Iam confident, will make the bee business far more sure and profit-
able than it has ever been heretofore.

Tlere might have been a good many of your hives sold in this vicinity if you had ser.
them here. I will further state, that | have been awarded the first premium, by our soci-
ety, on honey taken from your hive for two seasons past. Respectfully, yours,

Bluerock Township, Muskingum Co., Q., Sept. 25, 1852. CALEB H. HALL.

~

> ComBInsTION BEE-HIVE was awarded the first premium and diploma, at the Ohie
State Fair, September, 1851, over Kelsey’s, Dugdale’s, Case & Landreth’s, Wheeler’s, Gil-
more’s, and, I think, Reynolds and Colton’s. Also, a diploma for the best hive, at the Indiana
State Fair, and a premium, at the N. Y. State Fair, September, 1852, and premiums anv
diplomas, at every county fair where exh? Jed, for four years past, when the regulations
of the societies would admit of giving them to articles from foreign counties. ]

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