,transcriber ,note ,emphasis denoted by ,italics and ,bold4 ,whole and fractional parts of numbers as #abc-d_/e4 ,table of ,contents added to aid the reader4 ,,manuals ,,for ,,the ,,many ,no4 ,,iii4 ,,bee-,,keeping4 ,,by ,,the ,,late ,j4 ,h4 ,,payne ,esq4 ,,thirtieth ,illustration ,,thousand ,,price ,,fourpence4 ,,london3 ,,journal ,,of ,,horticulture ,,and ,,cottage ,,gardener ,,office1 #aga1 ,,fleet ,,st4 ,e4,c4 ,,first-,,class ,,illustrated ,,gardening ,,periodical ,published ,weekly1 ,price #c;d42 ,stamped1 #c-a_/b;d4 ,,the ,,journal ,,of ,,horticulture1 ,,cottage ,,gardener1 ,,country ,,gentleman1 ,,bee-,,keeper1 ,,and ,,poultry ,,chronicle4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,edited ,,by ,g4 ,w4 ,,johnson1 ,f4,r4,h4,s41 ,,robert ,,hogg1 ,,ll4,d41 ,f4,l4,s4 ,assisted by a ,staff of the best ,writers on ,practical ,gardening and other ,rural ,pursuits connected with the ,household4 99 99 99 99 99 ,this long-established and widely circulating ,journal consists of ,thirty-two ,pages of ,letter-press1 with occasional ,supplements of eight additional ,pages2 and is richly ,illustrated with ,wood ,engravings in the highest style of the ,art4 ,the subjects treated on embrace every department of ,gardening1 and ,rural and ,domestic ,economy1 the leading object being to render this ,journal a welcome guest in every country home4 ,natural ,history and ,botany1 so far as they relate to ,gardening and ,husbandry1 are amply treated on1 and embrace ,zoology1 ,geology1 ,mineralogy1 ,meteorology1 and ,physiological1 ,structural1 ,systematic1 and ,popular ,botany4 ,biographies and ,portraits of the most celebrated ,horticulturists4 ,reviews of ,new ,books relating to the above subjects2 ,reports of ,horticultural and ,poultry ,societies' ,meetings throughout the country2 and ,scientific ,notices4 ,to ,advertisers the ,journal of ,horticulture will be found a valuable and effective medium1 from its extensive circulation among the middle and upper classes4 99 99 99 99 99 ,a ,specimen ,number sent by ,post for #c-a_/b;d4 ,stamps4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,office3 #aga1 ,,fleet ,,street1 ,,london1 ,e4,c4 ,to be had of all ,booksellers1 and at the ,railway ,stalls2 or direct from the ,office on prepayment of the following terms3--,one ,quarter1 #cs4 #i d42 ,half ,year1 #gs4 #f;d42 ,one ,year1 #aes4 ,,bee-,,keeping ,,for ,,the ,,many2 ,,or ,,the ,,management ,,of ,,the ,,common ,,and ,,ligurian ,,honey ,,bee1 ,,including ,,the ,,selection ,,of ,,hives ,,and ,a ,,bee-,,keeper',s ,,calendar4 ----ooo---- ,by ,j4 ,h4 ,,payne1 ,esq4 ,a ,,new ,,edition ,,revised ,,and ,,enlarged ,,by ,,the ,,editors ,,of ,,the ,,journal ,,of ,,horticulture4 ,,thirtieth ,illustration ,,thousand4 ,,london3 ,,journal ,,of ,,horticulture ,,office1 #aga1 ,,fleet ,,street4 ,,london ,,printed ,,at ,,the ,,horticultural ,,press4 #aga1 ,fleet ,street4 ,,bee-,,keeping ,,for ,,the ,,many4 ----ooo---- ,,contents ,natural ,history #c ,situation of the ,apiary #e ,hives #f ,payne's ,improved ,cottage ,hive #f ,neighbour's ,improved ,cottage ,hive #h ,neighbour's ,observatory ,hive #i ,taylor's ,amateurs' ,hive #aj ,fenn's ,hive #aa ,the ,stewarton ,hive #ac ,tegetmeier's ,hive #ad ,the ,woodbury ,hive #ae ,method of ,securing ,combs in ,frames #ai ,swarming #bj ,uniting ,swarms #bc ,ventilation #bd ,feeding #be ,manner of ,taking ,honey #bh ,stupifying ,bees #bi ,method of ,draining ,honey from the ,combs #bi ,preparation of ,wax #cj ,mead #cj ,honey ,vinegar #ca ,remedies ,for the ,sting of a ,bee #ca ,bee ,dress #cb ,purchasing ,stocks #cb ,the ,ligurian ,or ,yellow ,alp ,bee #cb ,to ,unite a ,ligurian ,queen to a ,common ,stock ,or ,swarm #cd ,multiplying ,swarms of ,ligurians #ce ,bee-keeper's ,calendar #cg ,january #cg ,february #ch ,march #dj ,april #db ,may #df ,june #ej ,july #ec ,august #ee ,september #ei ,october #fa ,november #fc ,december #fe ,,natural ,,history4 ,the following brief but comprehensive epitome of the principal facts in the natural history of the ,honey ,bee is from the pen of ,mr4 ,woodbury1 of ,exeter1 better known to the readers of ,the ,journal of ,horticulture as ,a ,devonshire ,bee-keeper4 ,the ,queen4--,there is in every prosperous colony of ,bees a queen1 or mother ,bee1 whose peculiar office is to lay the eggs from which the future ,bees proceed4 ,her fecundity is amazing1 it being computed that she is capable of laying from #aejj to #bjjj eggs a-day4#a ,she receives the greatest attention and respect from the other ,bees2 none of them appear willing to turn their backs upon her1 but all are watchful to offer food and anticipate her every want4 ,the cells in which queens are reared differ very considerably from those of the workers or drones1 being much larger1 and hanging in nearly a perpendicular position1 generally from the edges of the combs4 ,queen ,bees occupy about sixteen days from the laying of the egg to the evolution of the perfect insect1 and take wing when a few days old1 in order to pair with a male ,bee or drone4 ,when once fecundated1 a queen ,bee continues fertile during the remainder of her life4 ,according to ,huber1 fecundation is imperfect when delayed beyond twenty days1 and drone eggs only are laid ever afterwards2 but the observations and experiments of ,dzierzon and ,berlepsch1 which have been confirmed by ,yon ,siebold1 the distinguished ,german naturalist1 prove that this phenomenon is rather to be ascribed to parthenogenesis1 and that a drone-breeding queen is in reality a virgin queen4 ,i have myself succeeded in repeating and verifying the microscopical investigations of ,von ,siebold1 which establish this remarkable fact beyond the possibility of a doubt4 ,queen ,bees are readily distinguished by their larger size1 being fully one-third longer than the common ,bees1 and are armed with a sting1 which1 however1 they rarely use1 except in combat with one another4 ,footnote #a3 ,queen ,bees of the ,ligurian species are stated to lay as many as #bjjj to #cjjj eggs per diem4 ,the ,workers are imperfect females4 ,there is no doubt that every worker egg or grub not more than a few days old is capable1 by appropriate treatment1 of becoming developed into a perfect female or mother ,bee4 ,if the queen is removed from a hive the ,bees avail themselves of this power by enlarging certain worker cells1 and raising therefrom queens which differ in no respect from those bred in the usual manner4#b ,when this interruption of the ordinary course of things has taken place1 it is occasionally found that the ovaries of some of the workers have become sufficiently developed to admit of their depositing drone eggs1 although ,yon ,siebold declares them to be perfectly incapable of pairing with the male4 ,the workers constitute the great majority in every healthy colony1 and upon them devolves the labour of collecting honey for the subsistence of all1 pollen for feeding the young1 and propolis for stopping any crevice which might harbour an enemy4 ,they are also occupied in secreting wax1#c building combs1 feeding the young and the queen1 as well as guarding and ventilating the hive4 ,huber noticed two kinds of working ,bees1 which he denominated respectively nurses and wax-workers4 ,this division of the workers into two classes has evoked ridicule from some1 and has been regarded with incredulity by many4 ,my own observations prove1 however1 that there really is a division of labour among ,bees1 and that whilst the younger portion of the community devote themselves to the home duties of the hive1 their elders are employed in ranging the woods and fields to provide sustenance for the entire family4 ,workers arrive at maturity in about twenty-one days from the laying of the egg4 ,footnote #b3 ,advantage is taken of this remarkable fact in the formation of artificial swarms1 c4 ,footnote #c3 ,wax is a secretion from the body of the ,bee1 and not a material conveyed into the hive4 ,in order to form wax ,bees must have access hitherto honey or some other saccharine substance4 ,the ,drones are males which take no part in the duties of the hive1 and whose use appears to be that of fecundation4 ,they are allowed to exist only during summer1 when they are very numerous1 apparently out of all proportion to the perfect females4 ,but this apparent disproportion is only a means to secure the important end1 that when a queen takes her wedding flights she may have a good chance of attaining her object4 ,although the drones are much larger and stronger than the workers1 they have no stings wherewith to defend themselves1 and are thrust out of the hive to perish when their office is accomplished4 ,they mature in about twenty-four days after the egg is laid and are bred in larger cells than the workers4 ,,situation ,,of ,,the ,,apiary4 ,aspect4--,i will commence by giving the aspect best suited for the ,bees to be placed in4 ,i have tried all aspects1 and have no hesitation in saying that the south is the best4 ,bee-houses of all kinds ,i very much dislike2 many hives are ruined by them2 they are expensive in the first place1 and they form a shelter for their worst enemies1 mice1 moths1 spiders1 c41 and not the least1 dampness1 which is ruinous to them4 ,i would recommend the hives being placed south1 or as nearly so as may be convenient2 if at all varying from it1 give them a little inclination to the east1 and be sure to place them so that they have the morning sun1 for the honey-gathering for the day usually finishes by two o'clock2 therefore an hour in the morning is of much importance to the ,bees1 as well as to their proprietors4 ,another inconvenience arising from ,bee-houses is that several hives being placed upon the same board encourages pilfering1 and renders it almost impossible to operate upon one hive without disturbing the whole4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #a4 ,stand for ,hive4--,having1 therefore1 for these reasons1 recommended the abandonment of ,bee-houses altogether1 ,i would say1 ,place each hive upon r separate board supported by a single pedestal #d or #e inches in diameter--a piece of wood with the bark on does remarkably well2 place it firmly in the ground1 and about #ae inches from its surface4 ,upon the top of this post should be nailed firmly a piece of board #h or #i inches square1 upon which should be placed the board the hive stands upon1 but not united to it1 so that the hive may be removed whenever required without disturbing the ,bees4 ,clay or mortar should never be used to fasten the hive to the board2 the ,bees will do that in a much more effectual manner themselves1 with a substance they collect from resinous trees called propolis4 ,mortar or clay tends very much to decay the hives2 and hives managed on this principle are expected to stand for fifteen or even twenty years4 ,let the hives be placed about #c feet apart from each other1 and in a right line4 ,the best covering1 as a protection from rain1 is a large flat earthen pan 7a milk-pan7 sufficiently large to prevent the drip from falling upon the board4 ,it would in all cases be well to give them the shelter of a wall or fence from the north1 but on no account place them close to it1 but leave a space of #d or #e feet at least for a path2 for the operations of taking off small hives1 glasses1 or boxes of honey1 are much more conveniently effected at the back than in the front of the hives4 ,it would be well to clean the boards on which the hives stand four times in the year--namely1 in ,january1 ,march1 ,april1 and ,november4 ,january and ,march are the most important4 ,the place where the hives are fixed should be kept clear of weeds2 and plants which rise in height equal to or exceeding the entrance of the hives should not be suffered to grow near them4 ,,hives4 ,i am more and more convinced1 from experience1 that ,bees do much better in broad1 shallow hives1 than in any others4 ,all the hives that ,i have used myself for the last three years1 and those that ,i have had made for the last two1 have been of this kind--namely1 #g inches deep1 and #ad inches wide1 measuring in the inside4 ,the only inconvenience that can possibly arise from a hive of this shape is1 that from the great weight of supers which year after year it will have to bear1 the top will sink a little2 therefore it should never be used without an adapting-board of #ab inches square2 this will take the weight of the supers from the centre to the side of the hive2 indeed1 it would be better to let the adapting-board remain a fixture upon the hive when once fastened down by the ,bees1 and should the corners at all interfere with the cover1 where the milk-pan is used1 they may be rounded off a little to the size of the hive4 ,,payne',s ,,improved ,,cottage ,,hive4 ,with regard to the materials of which hives are made1 ,i believe it to be a matter of indifference whether straw or wood be used1 but the facility and economy in the construction of straw hives must always be a recommendation1 especially to the cottager4 ,having1 therefore1 decided upon the materials for cottagers' hives1 their form must now be considered4 ,for straw hives ,i would recommend the following size3--#g inches deep and #ad in diameter2 straight at the sides and flat at the top2 in shape like a half-bushel measure4 ,a hole should be made in the top #d inches in diameter1 and a piece of straw-work1 like that of which the hive is made1 large enough to cover it1 must be fastened over the hole2 not to fit in1 but to cover over it4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #b4 ,it is better to have a groove made in the floor-board for an entrance than to cut a piece out of the hive4 ,the entrance should be #c inches wide by three-eighths of an inch high1 to which affix a piece of copper or zinc1 about #f inches long by #c inches wide1 having a groove to admit two sliding plates1 one perforated1 and the other having a hole large enough to allow but one ,bee to come out at a time4 ,great advantages arise from this little apparatus2 the perforated slider is used to confine the ,bees to their hive when snow lies upon the ground1 which entices them out1 and they perish2 it is useful1 also1 when feeding becomes necessary1 to exclude all intruders4 ,the other slider is used both in spring and autumn1 preventing either robbers or wasps from entering2 for three or four ,bees1 with the help of this slider1 can guard the entrance more effectually than ten times that number without it4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #c4 ,supply of ,hives4--,to those persons who are disposed to adopt the very simple method of managing their ,bees that ,i have for so many years successfully followed1 ,i would say1 ,procure a supply of ,payne's ,improved ,cottage ,hives2 also of small hives1 #h inches in diameter and #g inches deep1 flat at the top with a bit of glass in one side covered by a shutter4 ,this hive is in shape the same as the large one1 and with a hole in the top covered with a piece of straw-work in the same manner4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #d4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #e4 ,boxes and ,bell-,glasses4--,should boxes be preferred1 those which ,i use are made of inch-thick deal1 #i inches square1 and #h inches deep--inside measure2 with a piece of glass #f inches by #g-a_/b1 let in on one side1 and covered by a shutter to exclude the light4 ,bell-glasses may also be used with equal success if the light be effectually excluded4 ,i usually put on a bell-glass first1 and when partially filled1 raise it up and place between it and the parent hive the small hive or box above described4 ,i say partially filled1 because1 if allowed to remain till filled1 the ,bees would very probably swarm1 which the additional room and ventilation given them1 by placing either the box or small hive between the glass and parent hive1 will prevent4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #f4 ,adapting-,board4--,a good supply of adapting-boards must also be in readiness4 ,they should be made of mahogany1 for it will allow of being worked very thin1 without the risk of warping when used4 ,they are a quarter of an inch in thickness 7this is important71 #ab inches square1 with a circular hole in the middle #d inches in diameter4 ,,neighbour',s ,,improved ,,cottage ,,hive4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #g4 ,i would say that it consists of a straw1 circular1 lower compartment1 having three windows and outside shutters2 a thermometer is fixed across the centre window1 so that the ,bees cannot work between it and the glass1 and thus intercept the view of the graduated scale4 ,this little thermometer is found to be a useful appendage1 as it affords to the apiarian a correct indication of the state of the hive at all seasons of the year4 ,this lower or stock hive rests on a stout wooden floor1 at least #b inches in thickness1 projecting in front as a landing-place for the ,bees1 which enter under the hoop attached to the straw1 by means of a sunken way2 the hoop is used to overcome the uneven surface of the straw1 as well as to give durability to the hive4 ,the top is also of wood1 having three or more circular openings1 of about #c inches diameter1 to receive as many glasses4 ,in the top of each glass is a small hole1 through which a tube of perforated zinc is suspended1 upon which guide-combs may be fixed2 it also forms a convenient support1 to which the ,bees attach their combs4 ,over the glasses is placed a cover of straw 7also hoop-bound71 closely fitting the top of the stock hive1 and secured by means of thumb-screws1 so that it can be removed with great facility1 to allow of inspection or operations4 ,this straw cover is surmounted by a ventilator1 forming a neat finish1 and by which the temperature of the glasses may be regulated4 ,,neighbour',s ,,observatory ,,hive4 ,is of very stout glass1 with an opening at the top of about #b inches diameter1 over which a small glass may be placed when necessary4 ,the large1 or stock hive1 stands on a mahogany floor-board1 with a circular sinking to receive it2 there are holes in the floor-board1 covered with perforated zinc1 for the purpose of ventilation4 ,within the hive1 on an upright support rising from the floor-board1 are arranged1 in parallel lines at right angles1 eight bars of about an inch wide1 leaving a space next the glass all round1 to which the bees in the first instance attach their combs1 guide combs having been placed upon them4 ,there is a cover made of straw for the whole1 which reaches the floor-board1 and can be raised at pleasure2 a landing-place1 projecting as usual1 with a sunken way to allow the ,bees egress and ingress1 which completes the contrivance4 ,,taylor',s ,,amateurs' ,,hive4 ,having thus far given my plan for managing ,bees in the ,improved ,cottage ,hive1 ,i would now address a few words to the amateur1 for the purpose of recommending to his attention one of the 'best amateur's hives that ,i have ever seen4 ,it was invented by ,mr4 ,taylor1 author of ,the ,bee-keeper's ,manual1 and is called ,taylor's ,amateurs' ,bar ,hive4 ,by the introduction of bars each comb is made available1 whether for separate extraction or for experimental purposes4 ,indeed1 in this hive both the ,bees and their store are at all times completely under the command of their proprietors4 ,from this hive fine honey may be obtained1 swarming effectually prevented1 and artificial swarms1 when required1 insured4 ,i was kindly favoured with one of the above hives from the inventor in time to have a swarm hived into it on the #bhth of ,may4 ,in about three weeks from that time1 ,i found it necessary to put on the upper box2 and early in ,september ,i took it off1 containing #cj lbs4 of the finest honeycomb1 yet leaving a full supply in the lower or stock-box for the ,bees during the winter and spring4 ,another great advantage from this hive1 above all others1 is1 that a comb may be extracted at any time1 which1 where glasses or boxes are used1 cannot be done2 these must be filled before they are removed1 or much loss of time is occasioned to the ,bees4 ,having already described the hive ,i most approve of1 ,i will now give a description of a newly-invented one of my own4 ,convinced1 as ,i have for some time been1 of the many advantages arising from having every hive fitted with bars1 ,i have at length constructed a square straw hive of that kind1 which1 from its inexpensiveness1 ,i trusted would have come within the reach of almost every cottager2 but since putting together the little items of cost for its several parts ,i fear that ,i am mistaken1 for it can cost but little1 if any1 less than #hs4 ,the hive1 as ,i have already said1 is of straw1 and perfectly square1 #ac-a_/b inches by #ac-a_/b1 fitted with eight bars of #a-a_/h inch wide1 with a cover of wood--the bars are kept in their places by zinc fittings4 ,the openings in the crown-board are so placed as to allow of one large glass1 or two or three small ones1 being worked4 ,it is protected from the weather by a milk-pan only in the winter1 and in the summer1 whilst glasses are on 7which may be covered with an old hive71 by a milk-pan and zinc shade4 ,from the facility given by the bars to renew the combs1 this hive may be expected to stand for many years3 therefore1 two or three coats of paint should be given it before the ,bees are put into it1 and an additional one every year or two afterwards2 and1 as a further means of preserving it from decay1 the floor-board should be the exact size of the hive1 so that the drip from the milk-pan clears it4 ,a slight projecture in front for alighting must of course be allowed2 but by a careful adjustment of the milk-pan the drip may be made to escape this also4 ,,fenn',s ,,hive4 ,there is an admirable hive contrived by ,mr4 ,robert ,fenn1 of ,woodstock1 described in the ,journal of ,horticulture1 and which has proved one of the best of what may be called cottage hives4 ,it consists of a straw hive1 fig4 #ac1 #c1 #af inches in diameter1 #aa inches deep1 straight-sided1 quite flat on the top1 the permanent mahogany adapting board having a central hole about #c inches in diameter1 over which is placed a thinnish round of plaited straw1 slightly secured with wall nails1 though sufficiently so to prevent the egress of the ,bees4 ,two pieces of hard-wood sticks run completely and centrally through at right angles to support the comb4 ,the central hole of the adapter1 fig4 #i1 is fitted with a moveable round piece of thin deal that fits exactly to the size of the hole1 and this is supported by four pins that are let into the sides of the hole1 and project about one-eighth of an inch1 so as to allow the flap to rest upon them4 ,the edges of the rounded flap are cutaway as represented fig4 #i1 so as to leave openings between the flap and the adapter of not more than one-quarter of an inch1 which will admit the worker ,bees to ascend upwards1 but not the queen or the drones4 ,two other openings may be cut not quite one-quarter of an inch broad1 and three-quarters of an inch from the sides4 ,two rows of holes may be bored1 or a slit too narrow to allow a ,bee to pass1 may be formed along the centre of the flap to act as an air-passage4 ,a strip of paper pasted to the flap and the adapter will form a sort of house4 ,paste another piece of adhesive on at the opposite end of the flap only4 ,when the permanent adapting board is placed--for it is never removed during the honey-gathering season--upon the hive1 take off the small round piece of plaited straw from the top central hole1 and quickly place a glass tumbler inverted over the hole1 which effectually prevents a ,bee from escaping to place itself in jeopardy or to annoy the operator4 ,then if the top of the hive is at all sunken1 which is frequently the case1 have small deal fillets 7fig4 #h71 a trifle wider in diameter than the central hole of the adapter1 and of various depths1 to slip over the tumbler1 and a wind of cotton wadding also to lay nearly around the outside circumference on the top of the hive4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #h4 ,then place on the permanent adapting board 7fig4 #i71 when the tumbler will obtrude itself up through the flaphole1 and no insect will ever be able to pass the cotton wadding one way1 nor1 by reason of the fillet1 will the ,bees be able to go between the hive and the adapter on the other4 ,now moisten the end of the adhesive paper1 quickly take away the tumbler1 down with the flap1 press the adhesive paper on to the board1 and place the super-board 7fig1 #aj71 which must have a flap in its centre to exactly correspond with the one below4 ,two guide pencil-marks on each board1 previously marked1 will point out their proper positions2 and by reason of these duplicate openings in the flaps it will be seen by illustration to admit of two glasses 7fig4 #aj a a71 being worked in lieu of one1 which is another great point gained in a good and early honey season4 ,now slip a carpet-bag over the glasses to keep them warm1 and the super-over-hive over that2 and then cover the whole with a brown glazed milk-pan4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #i4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #aj4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #aa4 ,fig4 #aa is a second small super-board to correspond with the above1 excepting that the central hole remains without a flap2 for1 unless double supers are worked throughout the season1 a third flap is unnecessary1 and the super #c inches high or so1 and of any diameter one likes coming within the measurement of the board1 is of wood1 glass1 or straw4 ,these are mostly fig-drums cut in halves1 or at least to the required depth1 having a piece of glass let nearest the board1 so as to admit of one's seeing when the ,bees have nearly completed their combs1 and are ready for another4 ,when the time arrives1 when it will be seen by examination that the ,bees have nearly completed their honey-combs in the glasses1 and are in want of more room2 all that one has to do to accommodate them is merely to lift up board and glasses1 fig4 #aj1 slip a board and super and fillet on top in its place1 fig4 #aa1 and set fig4 #aj on the top of it1 which will then represent fig4 #ac4 ,the narrow fillet will prevent the board from coming flush down on the top of the newly-inserted super1 which has a hole of only about #a-a_/b inch in diameter in its top2 a second small super-board would answer this same purpose--viz41 leave a vacuum there for the ,bees to ascend to complete the sealing-over of their combs in the glasses1 which they will presently do1 and till when1 of course1 the pieces of carpeting and super-over-hive is reinstated4 ,payne's straw supers are generally used for the third removes4 ,they cost there about #as4 each of ,mr4 ,major in the ,traverse1 ,bury ,st4 ,edmunds1 ,suffolk4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ab4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ac4 ,fig4 #ab is the super-over-hive1 a foot deep1 and about #ad inches inside diameter4 ,holes are worked in their tops1 about #c inches in diameter1 the same as for the ,bee hives1 to allow the foul air to circulate up and away1 or the top may be omitted altogether as is represented in engraving4 ,,the ,,stewarton ,,hive4 ,during the last few years there have been great changes introduced in the form and arrangements of ,bee hives1 which have met with the highest approval of our best practical apiarians4 ,of these we shall just notice those which have come in for the greatest share of favour1 and which are obtainable at a price which is within the means of persons of ordinary income4 ,the ,stewarton ,hive may be said to have revolutionised the whole system of storifying bar hives4 ,it has been in use for many years in ,ayrshire1 and their introduction to the south is due to the late ,mr4 ,eaglesham1 of ,stewarton--an enthusiastic and very successful apiarian ,these hives consist of boxes of an octagonal shape1 three of which are set one upon the other and constitute a hive4 ,the inside measure is #ac-c_/d inches across from side to side1 or from back to front4 ,the height of the box1 measured inside1 is #e-c_/d inches4 ,the bottom is perfectly open4 ,the top is quite flat1 and consists of seven fixed bars1 each #a-a_/b inch wide1 placed parallel to each other in the direction from back to front4 ,the spaces between the bars are three-eighths of an inch wide1 and are capable of being closed by strips of wood1 which slide in grooves made in the sides of the bars1 and which can readily be drawn out behind when required4 ,across the middle of each box1 at half its height1 is a cross bar serving to support the comb4 ,windows with sliding shutters are placed in the back and front of each box1 and an entrance is cut out of the front1 #c inches in width by half an inch in height1 with a slide to close it to any required extent4 ,in addition to the set of three boxes1 a shallow honey-box #c-c_/d inches in depth1 and without an entrance in the front1 but otherwise made in precisely the same manner1 is used as a super4 ,these boxes being used on the storifying system1 they are furnished with buttons and hooks for the purpose of securing them together4 ,the general outline of the management is as follows3--,a swarm is hived into two boxes communicating with each other4 ,when these are nearly filled with comb a honey-box is placed above1 neatly furnished with guide-combs on the bars4 ,when the ,bees are fairly at work in the honey-box1 the third body box may be added below to give increased room and prevent swarming4 ,in the winter this third box is removed1 and the comb it contains left in1 as it possesses a value well known to every skilled ,bee-keeper4 ,feeding when required is liberally pursued1 enough being given at once in the autumn to last till spring4 ,the feeding-box1 #h inches square by #a-a_/b inch deep1 is divided by strips of wood into divisions half an inch wide4 ,this is placed on the top of the hive1 covered over with a box1 and the slides withdrawn to permit the ,bees to ascend to the food4 ,,tegetmeier',s ,,hive4 ,a modification of the ,stewarton boxes was proposed by ,mr4 ,tegetmeier1 who adopted the square forms instead of the octagonal1 and which certainly has this advantage over its prototype1 that the moveable bars will fit any place in any box4 ,the ,stewarton may be described as consisting of two or more storifying-boxes1 each furnished with seven loose bars to which the combs are attached4 ,these are kept in their places by eight slides1 which1 when in position1 render the loose bars perfect fixtures1 so that the boxes may be inverted without the bars or slides losing their position4 ,the size of ,mr4 ,tegetmeier's boxes was originally #aa-c_/d inches square inside1 and of two sizes in depth--viz41 #g inches and #e inches1 but now he recommends them to be #ac-a_/b inches square inside by #aa inches deep1 each containing eight frames4 ,the plan of working the ,stewarton and ,tegetmeier boxes is the same4 ,a very strong swarm1 or two weak ones1 are placed in two boxes1 and when these are well filled1 as may be seen by looking through the window behind1 a honey box or glass is placed over1 and communication made by withdrawing the slides4 ,,the ,,woodbury ,,hive4 ,best1 by far the best1 of all this form of the bar hive1 is that introduced by ,mr4 ,woodbury1 who has done so much of late to extend our knowledge of1 and acquaintance with1 the habits of the ,bee4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ad4 ,the following is ,mr4 ,woodbury's own description of the hive1 as it appeared in the ,journal of ,horticulture3-- ,in compliance with the wishes of numerous correspondents1 ,i have much pleasure in submitting to the readers of the ,journal of ,horticulture1 a description of my frame hives1 supers1 and outer cases1 as at present in use in my apiary4 ,frame ,hives are made of inch wood1 #ad-a_/b inches square1 and #i inches deep inside1 dovetailed and put together with paint1 the ends of the dovetails being pinned through with stout iron wire driven from the top and bottom1 and meeting in the centre4 ,a window #g-a_/b inches long by #d deep affords a slight view of the interior from the back 7not the front as engraved71 but is much obstructed by the frames4 ,the crown-board which is raised in the engraving1 fig4 #ad1 is keyed to prevent warping1 and is secured by four long brass screws passing through the ends of the keys4 ,a two-inch central hole for feeding is the only aperture1 and this is closed when not in use by a circular block of one-and-a-quarter-inch wood #e inches in diameter4 ,a three-eighth rabbet is cut out of the top inner edge at the back and front1 and below this are notches seven-eighths wide by three-eighths deep1 in which rest the ends of the frames4 ,this arrangement affords the ,bees a free passage above the frames as well as below and at their sides4 ,the annexed sketch1 fig4 #ae1 of the interior angle of one of my hives is drawn the full size1 and will serve as a guide for the arrangement of the frames1 which are ten in number1 and are placed at equal distances apart4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ae4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #af4 ,compound ,bar-frame4--,this is a contrivance of my own1 which ,i have found very advantageous in enabling me to use frames in stock hives and bars in supers without forfeiting the advantages arising from the unlimited interchangeability of every comb in every hive and super in the apiary4 ,its construction will be readily understood by an inspection of the annexed sketch1 fig4 #af1 in which the comb-bar is shown slightly raised from its frame4 ,the bar itself is #ac-a_/d inches long by seven-eighths wide and three-eighths thick2 these dimensions must be rigidly adhered to1 as every comb-bar should fit every hive and super in the apiary4#d ,the slips of wood forming the frame are seven-eighths of an inch wide and five-sixteenths of an inch thick1 with the exception of the projections at the top1 which are the same thickness as the bars1 and are five-eighths of an inch long4 ,when the comb-bar is in its place the whole forms a frame #ac inches long by #g-a_/d inches high 7inside measure71 with a five-eighth projection at each end1 which rests in its appropriate notch in either the back or front of the hive4 ,the accompanying engraving1 fig4 #ag1 represents the frame filled with comb1 in which state the bar becomes so firmly cemented to the frame as to admit of its being handled with the greatest facility4 ,footnote #d3 ,it is a good plan to commence by making a pattern bar of mahogany1 which should be taken are of and used as a guide whenever comb-bars are required4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ag4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ah4 ,improved ,comb-bar4--,this little contrivance has proved very effectual in securing straight combs when guide-combs are not attainable4 ,the annexed sketch1 fig4 #ah1 is a section of the new bar4 ,it will be perceived that the lower angles are rounded off2 whilst a central rib is added of about an eighth of an inch in breadth and depth4 ,this central rib extends to within half an inch of each end1 where it is removed in order to admit of the bar fitting into the usual notch4 ,all that is necessary to insure the regular formation of combs is to coat the underneath surface of the central rib with melted wax4 ,my practice is to use plain bars whenever guide-combs are attainable as these can be attached with much greater facility to a plain than to a ribbed bar2 but whenever ,i put in a bar without comb ,i always use one of the improved ones4 ,by this method crooked and irregular combs are altogether unknown in my apiary4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ai4 ,floor-boards4--,my floor-boards are made of one-and-a-quarter-inch wood1 keyed to prevent warping1 are #ah inches square1 and show a projection of about an inch beyond the exterior of the hive1 from which they are chamfered down on all sides nearly three-eighths of an inch4 ,an entrance #c inches or #d inches wide is cut in front out of the substance of the board commencing at the edge1 and continuing on the same level until inside the hive1 where it slopes upwards4 ,the entrance formed in this manner is five-sixteenths of an inch in height where the hive crosses it4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #bj4 ,alighting-boards are moveable1 being attached to the floor-boards by means of a couple of pins of stout wire2 they are made from a piece of a silk-roller1 #b inches in diameter by #h long1 rounded off at the ends1 which when quartered makes four alighting-boards4 ,the surface should be roughened by a toothed plane4 ,supers are #ac inches square inside and of various depths4 ,six inches deep is a convenient size1 and1 when filled1 will contain nearly #cj lbs4 of honey4 ,the engraving1 fig4 #ai1 represents a very neat glass super of this size1 which is manufactured by ,messrs4 ,neighbour4 ,it shows also the adapter with its longitudinal communications near the sides of the hive1 and which replaces the crown-board when a super is put on4 ,as the honey-combs in supers are better when made of a greater thickness than those intended for breeding1 ,i place only eight comb-bars in a thirteen-inch super4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ba4 ,hive-roofs and ,outer ,cases are made of half-inch wood #aa inches wide4 ,the former is separate1 and is cross-bradded together at the angles with a two-and-a-quarter-inch turned acorn in the centre2 its frame fits loosely over the cover and rests on angle-pieces at the corners4 ,a half-inch opening is left under the eaves all round for ventilation4 ,the hive-cover is dovetailed together and glued1 with a brad driven through each of the tenons2 it rests on the exterior projection of the floor-board1 and is retained in its place by a plinth #b inches wide1 which fits loosely outside the latter4 ,it must not be forgotten that all wooden roofs and outside cases require to be kept well painted1 whilst no paint should ever be applied to the hive itself4 ,when a super is put on a second outer case becomes necessary1 and this fits loosely on the first1 when the hive appears as it is represented in the annexed engraving4 ,,method ,,of ,,securing ,,combs ,,in ,,frames4 ,when transferring combs into frames we temporarily secure them in position by the aid of slips of wood a sixteenth of an inch thick by half an inch wide1 tacked on each side1 and one or more zinc slips as delineated in the engraving4 ,all these artificial supports should be removed as soon as possible4 ,the combs will generally be found firmly fixed in less than forty-eight hours4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #bb4 ,,swarming4 ,it frequently happens when ,bees are managed upon the depriving system1 that for want of timely room and ventilation being given1 a swarm comes off from the stock hive1 leaving the bell-glass1 or small hive which has been placed upon it1 in an unfinished state4 ,now1 whenever this happens1 let the swarm be hived into ,the ,improved ,cottage ,hive1 and the bell-glass or small hive1 with the adapter1 immediately removed from the stock hive1 and placed upon the newly-hived swarm2 and as soon as the ,bees are a little settled 7say in fifteen minutes71 remove the new-hived swarm to the place in which it is intended to remain1 care being taken to fasten down the straw cover upon the parent hive2 for no further profit can be expected from it beyond a second1 and1 perhaps1 a third swarm1 which are almost sure to follow4 ,in this method of immediately removing a swarm to the apiary1 ,gelieu agrees with me1 and for which he gives the following reasons3--,most people who have ,bees allow their swarms to remain till the evening in the place where they have alighted1 and do not move them to the apiary till after sunset4 ,this method has many inconveniences4 ,as soon as a swarm has congregated in the new hive1 and seems to be at ease in it1 the most industrious among the ,bees fly off to the fields1 but with a great many precautions2 they descend the front of the hive1 and turn to every side to examine it thoroughly1 then take flight1 and make some circles in the air in order to reconnoitre their new abode2 they do the same in returning4 ,if the swarm has taken flight in the morning1 the same ,bees make several excursions during the day1 and each time with less precaution1 as1 becoming familiarised with their dwelling1 they are less afraid of mistaking it2 and thus1 next morning1 supposing themselves in the same place1 they take wing without having observed where they have spent the night1 and surprised at their return not to find the hive in the same place1 they fly about all day in search of it1 until they perish with fatigue and despair4 ,thus many hundreds of the most industrious labourers are lost2 and this may be entirely avoided if the swarms be removed as soon as the ,bees are perceived coming out3 this sign is alone sufficient4 ,experience has long since proved that the custom of beating warming-pans1 and the like1 at the time a swarm leaves the hive is perfectly useless4 ,much trouble may be spared the ,bees if the loose straws be removed from its interior2 and the best method of effecting this is first to singe them with a wax taper and afterwards to remove them with a hard brush4 ,it is now an ascertained fact that the old queen accompanies the first swarm2 the period which usually transpires between the first and second swarms is from nine to thirteen days2 between the second and third the time is much shorter4 ,if second swarms come by the middle of ,june1 and stocks are required1 it will be well to preserve them1 for after-swarms have always young queens1 which is a great advantage4 ,should second swarms not come till ,july1 let them be returned to the parent hive1 or put two of them together4 ,symptoms of ,swarming4--,the symptoms preceding a first swarm are the rapid increase in numbers clustering1 or hanging out1 and drones becoming numerous and unusually active4 ,those of an after-swarm are much more certain1 for1 nine or ten days after the departure of the first swarm1 a singular noise1 called piping1 may be heard in the stock4 ,the first note1 says ,mr4 ,golding1 is long and plaintive1 and is uttered by the princess already at liberty2 she traverses the hive1 and stops upon1 or near1 the royal cells which still contain brood1 and emits her long plaintive note4 ,this1 when the other young queens are sufficiently forward1 generally in about two days1 is answered by them from within their cells in a quick1 short1 hoarse note2 after these last have been heard for about two days the swarm may be expected to come off4 ,third swarms should either be returned to the parent hive1 or added to a second swarm1 for by themselves they are totally valueless4 ,sometimes an early first swarm1 when additional room is not supplied at the time required1 will send out another swarm3 this generally occurs in about a month1 but it is a thing by no means to be desired1 and should carefully be prevented by giving timely room4 ,hiving4--,whatever system is adopted let everything be in readiness for the reception of swarms1 for even where the depriving system is followed1 from some oversight on the part of the apiarian a swarm will occasionally occur4 ,watch the swarm in silence1 and after it has once collected1 lose no time in housing it into a new1 clean and dry hive 7its weight with the floor-board being first taken and marked upon it71 and let it he placed where it is to remain within ten or fifteen minutes after the time of its being hived2 it will not be necessary even to wait till the ,bees clustered in front or on the sides of the hive are reunited to their companions inside1 as they are never long in being so4 ,hives with ,comb in ,them4--,hives of comb1 in which swarms of the last year have died1 should be carefully preserved for hiving swarms into them2 it gives a swarm treated in this manner full three weeks' advantage over another put at the same time into an empty hive4 ,putting ,glasses of ,small ,hives upon ,swarms4--,the most proper time for putting the bell-glass1 or small hive1 or box1 upon a swarm1 will be from the eighteenth to the twenty-first day after their being hived2 and should it be quickly filled1 and more room required1 which may be known by the crowded state of the ,bees inside the glass1 and by their being seen to cluster at the mouth of the hive at nine or ten in the morning1 let no time be lost in lifting up the glass1 and placing between it and the stock hive a small hive or box with a hole in the top4 7,see page #h74 ,it is necessary to use this precaution at all times1 but more especially in a rainy season1 as a greater disposition amongst the ,bees to swarm then prevails4 ,dry weather makes plenty of honey1 and moist of swarms1 says good ,mr4 ,purchase2 and1 however1 incorrect this position may at first sight appear1 the attentive observer will quickly become convinced of its truth4 ,second ,swarms4--,a second swarm generally leaves the hive about nine days after the first2 but the time may be exactly ascertained by standing quietly beside the hive after sunset1 when the queen may be distinctly heard totun in hir treble voic1 7,butler's ,feminin ,monarchi1 ,ed4 #afdc71 which is a certain indication that a second swarm will leave the hive4 ,should two or three queens be heard one after the other1 it will be on the following day1 if the weather be not very unfavourable4 ,should the queens continue to pipe after the departure of a second swarm1 a third will certainly follow in a few days2 but if one or two queens be found dead beneath the hive on the next morning1 no more swarms can be expected4 ,,uniting ,,swarms4 ,i must here observe that second and third swarms are very seldom1 if ever1 worth preserving by themselves2 but two second swarms1 when joined1 are very little inferior in value to a first swarm1 and the union is very easily effected in the following manner3--,when two second swarms1 or a second and third1 come off on the same day1 hive them separately1 and leave them till an hour and a half after sunset2 then spread a cloth upon the ground1 upon which1 by a smart and sudden movement1 shake all the ,bees out of one of the hives1 and immediately take the other and place it gently over the ,bees that are heaped together upon the cloth1 wedging up one side about half an inch1 that the ,bees outside may pass under1 and they will instantly ascend into it and join those which1 not having been disturbed1 are quiet in their new abode4 ,next morning before sunrise1 remove this newly-united hive to the place in which it is to remain4 ,this doubled population will work with double success1 and in the most perfect harmony1 and generally become a strong stock1 from which much profit may be derived4 ,two second swarms1 or a second and third1 may be joined in the same manner1 although one of them may have swarmed some days or even weeks later than the other2 taking care1 however1 not to make the first one enter the second1 but the second the first4 ,a third and a fourth parcel of ,bees may be joined to them at different times in the same way till the stock becomes strong4 ,it is almost impossible sufficiently to impress upon the mind of every one who keeps ,bees the necessity of having his stocks all strong2 for weak stocks are very troublesome1 very expensive1 and seldom1 if ever1 afford any profit4 ,mr4 ,taylor says1 ,the stronger the colony at the outset1 the better the ,bees will work1 and the more prosperous it will become4 ,i never knew a weak one do well long2 and a little extra expense at first is amply rewarded by succeeding years of prosperity and ultimate profit4 ,and again1 ,thus strength in one year begets it in succeeding ones2 and this principle ought to be borne in mine by those who imagine that the deficient population of one season will be made up in the next1 and that the loss of ,bees in the winter is of secondary consequence1 forgetting how influential is their warmth to the earlier and increased productive powers of the queen2 and how important it is1 in the opening spring1 to be able to spare from the home duties of the hive a number of collectors to add to the stores1 which would otherwise not keep pace with the cravings of the rising generation4 ,it is a remarkable fact1 that two weak stocks joined will collect double the quantity of honey1 and consume much less1 than two of the same age and strength kept separately4 ,stocks must be joined after sunset1 upon the day that one of them has swarmed2 and the double stock must be placed upon the stand it previously occupied2 great care must be taken not to shake the hive1 nor must it be turned up4 ,the combs being new and tender1 will easily break1 and the stock by that means be destroyed4 ,,ventilation4 ,much has been said about ventilation1 and many are the inventions for effecting it1 but ,i have not seen one that is really efficient2 its advantages1 both in preventing swarms and in preserving the colour of the combs1 no person at all acquainted with the management of ,bees will deny4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #bc4 ,the best ventilator that ,i have seen is this of ,mr4 ,taylor's4 ,the ventilator ,i use1 says ,mr4 ,t41 consists of double tubes1 both resting on a flaunch in the hole prepared for them2 the outer tube is of one-inch diameter1 and #f inches long1 with six half-inch holes dispersed over it2 it is soon fixed down in its place by the ,bees1 and so must remain4 ,the inner tube is perforated zinc1 with a tin projecting top as a handle1 and a cap to put on or off this as required4 ,the ,bees will stop up the zinc tube when they can get at it1 when it may be turned round a little to present a new surface2 when wholly stopped it may be withdrawn from its place1 and a clean tube substituted4 ,this may be done without the least danger to the operator2 but it should be inserted carefully1 to avoid crushing any ,bees that may have crept within the outer tube4 ,an exit to these is afforded by the hole at the bottom4 ,the substance with which ,bees glue up all crevices and attach their combs is called propolis1 a resinous exudation from certain trees1 of a fragrant smell1 and removable by the aid of hot water4 ,in adapting ,mr4 ,taylor's ventilator to the small hive or box1 the inner tube must be made without the projecting top as a handle1 and the cap made even with the flaunch4 ,after1 all1 however1 the most certain1 as well as the most simple1 plan is to lift the stories apart upon small pieces of sheet lead1 especially between the stock hive and glass box1 or small hive in immediate connection with it4 ,the stock hive itself may also be raised half an inch from the floor-board by blocks of wood of that thickness4 ,this precaution is necessary only in very sultry weather1 and when swarming is likely to occur4 ,no fears need be entertained at this time of robbers2 for when honey is to be had abroad the ,bees will not pilfer it from their neighbours at home4 ,as soon as the very hot weather is over1 it will be necessary to remove the blocks and restore the hives to their original position4 ,,feeding4 ,the best kind of food that can be given to ,bees is honey liquefied with a small portion of warm water2 but where honey is scarce and dear1 an excellent substitute will be found in lump sugar4 ,three pounds of sugar to a pint of water1 boiled for two or three minutes1 and then mixed with a pound of honey1 this will make five pounds of excellent food1 which the ,bees appear to like quite as well as honey alone4 ,or three pounds of lump sugar may be dissolved in two pounds of water by being boiled a minute or two4 ,this is a very cheap and simple ,bee food1 and really answers every purpose4 ,of all other kinds of food 7where honey in the combs cannot be had7 barley-sugar is the best1 and not only the best and the cheapest1 but the safest and by far the least trouble2 for when liquid food is used it is carried down by the ,bees immediately upon its being supplied and stored in the combs1 and the proprietor has no means of knowing at what time the store is exhausted1 and a fresh supply required2 but it is not so with barley-sugar1 for whilst a morsel remains1 which may easily be seen1 it is certain the ,bees will not die of want4 ,the best method of supplying it is at the top of the hives or boxes4 ,my plan is to tie a dozen sticks of it together1 and after opening the hive at top1 to place the barley-sugar over the opening1 and to cover it with a garden-pan or flower-pot2 and just before it is all consumed1 give a fresh supply in a similar way4 ,persons generally are apt to imagine that as soon as a few blossoms make their appearance in the spring their ,bees will not want any attention1 which is a very great mistake1 as many a young apiarian has discovered both to his cost and disappointment2 for during the months of ,march and ,april greater care is required in feeding than at any other time1 for the population is then rapidly increasing1 and in a wet and cloudy season no supplies whatever can be obtained but by artificial means4 ,to ,make ,barley-sugar4--,put two pounds of loaf sugar into a saucepan with half a pint of water1 and two spoonfuls of the best vinegar2 put it on a gentle fire1 let it boil till the syrup becomes so thick that the handle of a spoon being dipped into it1 and then plunged into cold water1 the syrup upon the handle is found to be quite crisp2 when this is the case it is sufficiently boiled4 ,having an earthen dish or marble slab in readiness1 well buttered1 pour the syrup upon it1 and1 when sufficiently cool to handle1 clip it with scissors into strips the size desired4 ,the process of boiling takes about twenty minutes4 ,feeding ,bottles4--,the very best mode of administering liquid food is by means of an inverted bottle1 the mouth of which should be tied over with a bit of coarse leno or cap-net4 ,it is a mistake to use muslin for this purpose1 or1 in fact1 any material the meshes of which are less than a sixteenth of an inch wide4 ,with common hives the bottle-neck may be inserted in the central aperture1 which usually exists 7if not1 one should be made with a sharp penknife71 in the top1 and refilled as often as may be necessary4 ,with flat-topped hives the bottle should be supported by its neck being fitted into a perforated block of wood about five inches in diameter1 and it will be found convenient to interpose a piece of perforated zinc to prevent the ,bees escaping when the bottle is refilled4 ,a four or six-ounce medicine phial is a good size for spring-feeding1 whilst a common pickle-bottle leaves nothing to be desired when a copious supply is required in autumn4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #bd4 ,a feeding-bottle should be filled by the food being poured into it from a jug1 and if the neck be narrow it may1 after the mouth is tied over1 be quickly inverted over the aperture in the top of the hive1 so that what food escapes may run into the hive and down among the ,bees4 ,if1 on the other hand1 the mouth be wide1 as in the case of a pickle-bottle1 it should be first inverted over the jug and steadily conveyed to the hive in a reversed position ,when a bottle is properly managed no food runs down into the hive after it has been placed upon it1 but all remains perfectly suspended whilst it is being gradually removed by the ,bees1 which find no difficulty in emptying a full-sized pickle-bottle every night4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #be4 a1 ,circular hole through which the ,bees ascend2 b1 ,the feeding-pan containing the food1 which is put in at the side spout1 c1 and upon which the float rises and falls4 ,feeding-pans4--,having been frequently applied to for the plan of a feeding-pan best adapted for my ,improved ,cottage ,hive1 ,i am induced to answer the very many applicants by giving a description of the one ,i have been using for the last two or three years4 ,it is made of stout zinc1 circular1 #h inches in diameter1 #b-a_/b inches deep1 having a circular hole of #b-a_/b inches in the middle of the bottom1 with a rim round it standing up #b inches2 a float of wood1 very thin and perforated with holes1 is made to fit inside1 but sufficiently easy to rise and fall with the liquid in the pan2 the holes in this float must first be made with a gimlet1 and then burnt with an iron1 or they will fill up after having been in use a little time2 the whole is covered by a lid with an inside rim1 the lid having a piece of glass in the centre of #b-a_/b or #c inches in diameter4 ,when first using this feeding-pan1 ,i found much inconvenience in being obliged to remove the lid every time that a fresh supply of food was required4 ,to obviate this difficulty1 ,i had a half circle #c inches in diameter1 attached to its sides1 with a lid or cover1 and communicating with the interior of the feeding-pan by a hole cut in the side1 and covered with a piece of perforated zinc1 so that by looking through the glass in the lid ,i can see when a fresh supply of food is required2 and ,i have then only to raise the lid of this additional side-piece1 and pour in the food1 which passes readily through the perforated zinc1 and raises the wooden float upon its surface4 ,four very small tacks should be driven into the under side of the float1 at equal distances from each other1 to prevent its going quite to the bottom of the pan2 and it is also necessary for the rim in the centre of the pan to be roughed with a file1 or to be lined with perforated zinc1 to enable the ,bees to ascend more easily than they would otherwise do if it was left quite smooth4 ,the float should be less than an eighth of an inch in thickness1 and is better to be made of mahogany4 ,,manner ,,of ,,taking ,,honey4 ,at noon1 upon a clear fine day1 pass either a very thin knife or fine wire between the hive and the glass intended to be taken4 ,if this precaution be neglected1 a piece of comb is frequently left projecting from the top of the one left1 or the bottom of that taken1 which will cause much trouble to the operator4 ,two adapting-boards 7see page #h7 placed between the hive and the glass will be found very convenient1 for the knife or wire will then only have to be passed between them1 and the danger of breaking the combs thus be obviated4 ,to ,expel the ,bees from the ,glass4--,the glass must be lifted very gently1 kept in the same position1 and placed upon three inverted flower-pots1 or something of the kind1 in a shaded place1 about #cj or #dj yards from the hive1 and the ,bees will make their escape in about ten or fifteen minutes4 ,gentleness1 as ,i have before said1 is very necessary in this1 as in all other operations with ,bees2 indeed1 it is the only means of accomplishing the end desired3 therefore1 remove the glass very gently1 and place it about #f inches above the ground on bricks or flower-pots1 as above4 ,shaking1 beating1 or burning paper under it1 have all a contrary effect than that desired upon the ,bees3 they are alarmed by this1 and will not leave the glass for hours1 and1 perhaps1 days when these means are resorted to4 ,the glass being thus placed1 a loud humming noise is first heard1 and the ,bees are then seen to leave it1 and in five or six minutes all1 except a few stragglers that may be brushed out with a feather1 will have left it3 but should the queen be in the glass1 which very rarely happens1 quite a different appearance presents itself--no noise will be heard1 nor a ,bee scarcely seen to leave it2 but the hive from which it has been taken will1 in a very short time1 appear in great confusion4 ,whenever this occurs the glass must be returned immediately1 and taken off again the next day4 ,when a glass or box of honey is taken1 it must not be left till the ,bees are all out of it1 for it is very likely to be attacked by robbers1 and a great part of it carried away in a short time4 ,robbers may be known by their endeavouring to enter the glass or box1 while the ,bees belonging to it1 being separated from their queen1 fly home immediately upon leaving it4 ,i have frequently found it necessary1 in order to prevent robbers from attacking the glass1 to remove it from place to place every four or five minutes1 or to take the glass into a darkened room1 so that a small portion of light is admitted through a hole which communicates with the open air4 ,,stupifying ,,bees4 ,by ,fumigation4--,much has been said and written upon the subject of fumigation1 yet this is a process that ,i am not at all partial to2 and1 as far as my experience has gone1 it is one which ,i have never yet had occasion to resort to in a single instance2 for even in the most difficult operations ,i have always found a puff1 and that a very little one1 of tobacco-smoke to be all-sufficient4 ,as ,i have said before1 gentleness is the best protection2 still1 if by any little accident the ,bees become irritated1 a slight puff of tobacco-smoke quiets them at once4 ,one reason for my not being partial to fumigation is1 that ,i could never see the necessity for it2 and another reason is1 that all the ,bees1 which ,i have seen thus treated are sluggish and inactive for some days after the operation1 besides many having been killed4 ,now1 this in early spring1 or in the midst of the honey-gathering season1 is certainly of great consequence1 especially when we are told that a prosperous colony of ,bees will1 in a single day of the latter season1 collect from #d to #f lbs4 of honey4 ,,method ,,of ,,draining ,,honey ,,from ,,the ,,combs4 ,place a sieve1 either of hair or canvas1 over an earthen jar1 cut the combs containing the honey into small pieces1 and put them into a sieve2 let them be cut in an horizontal direction4 ,it is better to slice them twice--that is1 at the top and bottom1 than in the middle4 ,crushing or pressing should be avoided for1 as a portion of brood and ,bee-bread generally remains in the comb1 pressure would force it through the sieve1 and the honey would thereby be much injured1 both in colour as well a flavour4 ,it is very desirable to have two sieves2 for in every hive there will be two kinds of honey--the one almost colourless and fine-flavoured1 found at the sides of the hive2 the other dark and not so good1 stored in the centre4 ,these should always be kept separate4 ,the draining process may occupy1 perhaps1 two days2 but the largest quantity1 as well as the best quality1 will be drained off in three or four hours4 ,the honey should be put into jars immediately1 and the jars filled and tied down with bladder2 for exposure to the air1 even for a few hours1 very much deteriorates its flavour4 ,i may here observe1 that honey in the combs keeps remarkably well if folded in writing-paper1 and sealed up so as to exclude the free entrance of the air1 and is placed in a dry warm closet4 ,,preparation ,,of ,,wax4 ,having drained all the honey from the combs1 wash these in clean water2 this liquid1 by exposure to the sun and air1 will make most excellent vinegar2 put them in a clean boiler with some soft water2 simmer over a clear fire until the combs are melted3 pour a quart or so into a canvas bag1 wide at the top and tapering downwards into a jelly bag2 hold this over a tub of cold water2 the boiling liquor will immediately pass away1 leaving the liquefied wax and the dross in the bag2 have ready a piece of smooth board1 of such a length that one end may rest at the bottom of the tub and the other end at its top2 upon this inclined plane lay your reeking bag1 but not so as to touch the cold water2 then1 by compressing the bag with any convenient roller1 the wax will ooze through and run down the board into the cold water1 on the surface of which it will set in thin flakes2 empty the dross out of the bag and replenish it with the boiling wax1 and proceed as before until all has been pressed4 ,when finished1 collect the wax from the surface of the cold water1 put it into a clean saucepan with very little water1 melt it carefully over a slow fire1 skim off the dross as it rises1 then pour it into moulds1 or shapes1 and place them where they will cool slowly4 ,the wax may be rendered still more pure by a second melting and moulding4 ,,mead4 ,this treatise would not be complete without a receipt for ,mead1 the following is the best that ,i have seen1 and is most excellent3--,pour five gallons of boiling water upon #bj lbs4 of honey2 boil1 and remove the scum as it rises2 when it ceases to rise1 add #a oz4 of hops1 and boil for ten minutes afterwards2 put the liquor into a tub to cool4 ,when reduced to #ge of ,fahrenheit1 add a slice of bread toasted and smeared over with a little yeast1 let it stand in a warm room and be stirred occasionally2 and when it carries a head tun it1 filling the cask up from time to time4 ,when the fermentation has nearly finished bung it down1 leaving a peg-hole1 which may soon be closed2 bottle in about a year4 ,,honey ,,vinegar4 ,a most excellent ,vinegar may also be had from honey3--,put half a pound of honey to a quart of water1 boiling hot2 mix well1 and expose to the greatest heat of the sun without closing the vessel containing it1 but sufficiently so to keep out insects4 ,in about six weeks this liquor becomes acid and changes to strong vinegar1 and of excellent quality4 ,the broken combs1 after being drained1 may be put in as much water as will float them1 and well washed4 ,the linens also and sieves which have been used for draining honey1 may be rinsed in the same water1 and with this make the vinegar2 first boil and scum it before mixing it with the honey4 ,,remedies ,,for ,,the ,,sting ,,of ,a ,,bee4 #a4 ,persons who are much amongst ,bees must now and then expect to meet with a sting1 although to myself it very rarely happens2 never1 indeed1 but when accidentally having laid my hand upon one1 or when having pressed one beneath the sleeve of my coat4 ,the sooner the sting is extracted1 says ,dr4 ,bevan1 the less venom is ejected1 and1 consequently1 less inflammation induced4 ,after extracting the sting1 ,i apply the least possible quantity of liquor potass1 either with a fine camel's-hair pencil1 a sharp pen1 or even with the point of a needle4 ,the venom of the ,bee being an acid1 this very powerful alkali neutralises it2 the pain is instantly removed1 and neither swelling nor inflammation follows4 ,care must be taken not to use too large a quantity or a scar will be the consequence1 which will last for some days4 ,remember1 the quicker the application the more effectual the cure4 #b4 ,the only positive and immediate cure for a ,bee-sting that ,i have ever heard of1 and that may be depended on in all cases1 is tobacco4 ,this remedy was recommended to me as an infallible cure2 yet ,i had but little faith in it3 still ,i tried it1 and1 as ,i supposed1 properly1 and found little or no benefit from its use4 ,i reported its failure to cure in my own case to my informant1 and he stated that ,i had not applied it thoroughly as ,i ought to have done2 that he was certain that it would be an effectual cure1 never having known it to fail in a single instance when correctly applied4 ,the next time ,i got stung ,i applied the tobacco as directed1 and found it to cure like a charm4 ,the manner of applying it is as follows3--,take ordinary fine-cut smoking or chewing tobacco1 and lay a pinch of it in the hollow of your hand1 and moisten it and work it over until the juice appears quite dark-coloured2 then apply it to the part stung1 rubbing in the juice1 with the tobacco between your thumb and fingers1 as with a sponge4 ,as fast as the tobacco becomes dry1 add a little moisture and continue to rub1 and press out the juice upon the inflamed spot1 during five or ten minutes1 and if applied soon after being stung it will cure in 'every case4 ,before ,i tried it1 ,i was frequently laid up with swollen eyes and limbs for days4 ,now it is amusing to get stung4--7,miner's ,american ,bee-keeper's ,manual47 ,,bee ,,dress4 ,in the season for going amongst ,bees careful apiarians are desirous of having all things ready for use before they are immediately required1 and as being well-armed against the stings of their ,bees gives confidence and coolness to the inexperienced operator1 both of which are so essentially necessary to the successful accomplishment of his object1 ,i will give the plan of a very simple and convenient ,bee-dress1 which has been kindly handed to me by a friend4 ,it is formed of green leno1 and so made as to enclose the head1 neck1 and shoulders2 indeed1 it is like a bag1 with sleeves to tie at the wrists4 ,the sleeves are made of green glazed cambric4 ,it forms altogether a perfect panoply1 and the most timid person with its aid may perform the most difficult operation with the greatest coolness1 and without the possibility of being stung4 ,,purchasing ,,stocks4 ,march and ,april are the best two months for purchasing stocks1 and ,may for swarms4 ,it is better to obtain them from such a distance only as they can be conveyed by hand2 conveyance by any other means is always attended with danger to the ,bees4 ,swarms require less care in carrying from place to place than stocks4 ,in purchasing stocks the weight alone must not be relied on2 a swarm of the preceding year should be selected1 and one that contains not less than #ab lbs4 of honey4 ,the combs must be looked at1 and if they are not of a yellow or straw colour1 and if at all approaching to blackness1 it is not a swarm of the last year1 and must be rejected4 ,the next best time to purchase is ,may or ,june1 at the time of swarming2 but of this hereafter4 ,,the ,,ligurian ,,or ,,yellow ,,alp ,,bee4 ,the ,ligurian ,bee is a species indigenous to the south of ,europe1 and has been cultivated in ,italy in the same way as the common honey ,bee has been in the northern parts of ,europe from time immemorial4 ,it is the ,apis ,ligustica of the naturalist2 and though so well known to exist and to have all the honey-producing properties of our own honey ,bee1 with some other advantages besides1 it seems remarkable that it should have remained so long unknown to the apiarians of this country4 ,the merit of introducing this species is due to ,mr4 ,woodbury1 the eminent ,devonshire ,bee-keeper1 who1 having made the necessary preliminary inquiries1 placed himself in communication with ,mons4 ,h4 ,c4 ,hermann1 of ,tamin-by-,chur1 in the ,canton of ,grison1 ,switzerland2 and on the #aith of ,july1 #ahei1 the ,ligurian ,bee was introduced to ,england4 ,in a pamphlet on the subject by ,m4 ,hermann we have the following particulars of this insect3-- ,the yellow ,italian ,alp ,bee is a mountain insect2 it is found between two mountain chains to the right and left of ,lombardy and the ,rhtian ,alps1 comprising the whole territory of ,tessins1 ,vetlin1 and ,south-,graubunden4 ,it thrives up to the height of #dejj feet above the level of the sea1 and appears to prefer the northern clime to the warmer1 for in the south of ,italy it is not found4 ,the farther one goes from the ,alps1 the less handsome they are found--as for example in ,nice1 until they are entirely lost in lower ,italy in the black species4 ,we must therefore look for the original in ,switzerland1 and we can call them with as much right ,apis ,helvetica1 as the ,genoese call them ,apis ,ligustica4 ,some learned men have called them ,ligurian ,bees1 but that name has neither historical nor geographical claim1 and not one ,bee-cultivator of the whole district of the ,italian ,alp ,bee knows what kind of insects ,ligurian ,bees are4 ,the ,alps are their native country2 therefore they are called ,yellow ,alp ,bees1 or ,tame ,house ,bees1 in contradistinction to the black ,european ,bees1 which we might call common forest ,bees1 and which1 on the slightest touch1 fly like lightning into your face4 ,the ,italian yellow ,bee differs from the common black ,bee in its longer more slender form1 and light chrome yellow colour1 with light brimstone-coloured wings1 and two orange-red bands1 each one-sixth of an inch wide4 ,working ,bees as well as drones have this mark4 ,the drones are further distinguished by the bands being scolloped like the spotted water-serpent1 and obtain an astonishing size--almost half as large again as the black drones4 ,the queen has the same marks as the working ,bees1 but much more conspicuous and lighter2 she is much larger than the black queen1 and easy to be singled out of the swarm1 on account of her remarkable bodily size and light colour4 ,the ,bees are almost transparent when the sun shines on them4 ,this race has nothing in common with the black ,bees1 which can be instantly seen by their ways and manner of building4 ,the cells of the ,italian ,bee are considerably deeper and broader than those of the black ,bees4 ,fifteen cells of the ,italians are as broad as sixteen cells of the black kind4 ,their chief merits in contrast with the black ,bees are--#a1 as they naturally inhabit a region of such elevation as #dejj feet1 they are less sensitive to cold than the common ,bee2 #b1 their queens are more prolific2 #c1 they swarm earlier and more frequently2 #d1 they are much less apt to sting1 and not only so1 but unless they are intentionally annoyed or irritated they are not inclined to sting2 #e1 they are more courageous and active in self-defence1 and are particularly disposed to plunder the hives of the common kind2 but should the latter attack their hives they fight with great fierceness and adroitness4 ,,to ,,unite ,a ,,ligurian ,,queen ,,to ,a ,,common ,,stock ,,or ,,swarm4 ,as soon as you have become possessed of a ,ligurian queen and her attendants1 steps should be taken for removing the common queen from the stock1 or swarm1 to which the strangers are to be united4 ,where bar hives are in use the operation is sufficiently easy1 but should not be attempted without the protection afforded by a ,bee-dress and a thick pair of wollen gloves4 ,the services of an assistant similarly accoutred will be found very useful1 but are not absolutely indispensable4 ,the middle of a fine day is the best time for the operation1 which should be commenced by removing the stock a little either to the right or left of its usual position1 which must be occupied by an empty hive1 from which the top board and comb-bars have been removed4 ,the top board of the full hive must then be shifted on one side sufficiently to expose a single bar1 which may be carefully withdrawn after the attachments of the comb have been severed from the back and front of the hire by a bent knife4 ,both sides of the comb must be rigidly scrutinised1 and any cluster of ,bees gently dispersed with a feather1 until it becomes evident that the queen is not present1 when it may be placed in the empty hive4 ,the same process must be repeated with each successive comb until the queen is discovered and secured1 when the ,bees may be either allowed to remain in the hive to which they have been transferred1 or replaced in their original domicile4 ,sometimes the queen is not to be found on any of the combs1 but may be detected among the stragglers remaining in the hive4 ,in practised hands her discovery may be reckoned on with tolerable certainty during the first removal2 but if she succeed in escaping detection the process must be repeated until she is secured4 ,with common hives or boxes driving is the best method to adopt2 and the ,bees1 having been expelled from their habitation1 may be knocked out on a cloth and searched over until the queen is discovered4 ,should the ,bee-keeper be unable to perform the operation of driving1 fumigation may be resorted to and the queen secured whilst the ,bees are in a state of insensibility4 ,should the queen have been removed1 and the ,bees restored to their original hive and position in the apiary1 measures must now be taken to introduce the ,italian sovereign to her future subjects4 ,the first step will be carefully to remove the lid of the small box1 replacing it with a slip of perforated zinc without permitting the ,bees to escape4 ,the whole must then be inverted over an opening in the top of the hive containing the queenless stock1 where it should remain undisturbed till the next day1 when the perforated zinc divider may be withdrawn1 and the union will be complete4 ,the small box itself need not be removed till the third day1 when the ,bees will be found to have quitted it4 ,after the lapse of about thirty days young ,ligurians may1 probably1 be discovered taking their flight4 ,,multiplying ,,swarms ,,of ,,ligurians4 ,presuming that the ,ligurian queens are in bar hives1 and that they prove themselves fairly prolific mothers1 let a number of similar bar hives be provided1 and into each of these1 from time to time1 during the course of the summer1 let there be carefully transferred from the ,ligurian stock a bar with comb attached1 containing eggs and young ,bees in every stage of progress4 ,it would be well that every full-grown ,bee should be previously swept off this comb back into the old hive1 so as to prevent all danger of fighting between them and the ,bees of the other stocks to which the comb is to be given4 ,then1 in the middle of a warm and sunny day1 when the ,bees are chiefly abroad1 let this comb1 carefully fixed in an empty bar hive1 be put in the place of any strong stock of common ,bees that may be available for the purpose4 ,this stock may be removed to some distance2 but it would be well first so to disturb it as to cause a good many more of the ,bees to leave it than might happen to be foraging in the fields2 and1 moreover to stop up its entrance till the evening4 ,the ether ,bees would soon take possession of the empty bar hive1 and in three weeks' time replace their missing ,english queen with a young artificially-reared ,ligurian queen1 whose progeny would1 in due course of time1 become the sole possessors of the hive4 ,the ,english stocks chosen for this purpose must be in the same1 or in a very closely-adjoining apiary1 otherwise the absence of ,ligurian drones at the proper season would prove fatal to the success of this plan of increase4 ,one ,ligurian stock losing one bar only1 from time to time1 might in this manner become the parent of a dozen stocks at least in the same season2 and the earliest of the young swarms 7say those formed in ,may71 might also1 in a warm spring1 be made productive of two or three swarms in the same manner1 without becoming too much weakened4 ,indeed1 two bars may be taken every week out of the ,ligurian stock during the months of ,may1 ,june1 and ,july2 and these swarms1 artificially formed1 in the manner above detailed1 may be worked during at least a whole month1 from the middle of ,june to the middle of ,july4 ,one good ,ligurian stock should be left pretty much to itself1 so as to encourage the propagation of drones4 ,still1 even this stock might be made to yield a few bars without in the least rendering the development of drones2 but no bars should be taken out till a fair number have been seen abroad4 ,perhaps the best plan would be to make a swarm out of this hive in the same artificial manner1 so soon as many drones are hatched4 ,for drones which join swarms are generally 7perhaps always7 allowed to remain alive till late in the season1 whereas the earliest-hatched drones are frequently destroyed in cold springs in their own hives4 ,illustration ,,bee-,,keeper',s ,,calendar4 ,,january4 ,little attention will be required during this month of cold and frost1 except upon a mild day1 should such occur1 of cleaning the floor-boards with a dry brush1 and looking well to the ventilation of boxes of all kinds2 for however trifling these matters may appear to those who are inexperienced in ,bee-management1 the well-doing of many stocks during the coming reason will1 in a great measure1 depend upon their being carefully attended to2 and the interior of the hives being clean and free from damp at this time is quite as important as their having a supply of food in store1 for even with the latter1 if the former be neglected1 the hives frequently perish4 ,food4--,when the hives are very weak--that is1 having only ,two or three pounds of honey in store1 ,i would recommend a ,lew pounds of syrup being given--viz41 one pound of loaf sugar1 a quarter of a pint of water1 and a quarter of a pound of honey1 simmered together over a slow fire until the sugar is melted1 and when cold given to the ,bees1 and at the top of the hive if possible2 but where they have a little richer store1 barley-sugar may be given instead of syrup4 ,shade4--,many persons have advocated the sun's rays in winter not falling upon the hives4 ,mr4 ,taylor says3--,where ,the hives stand singly1 ,i have always seen the advantages of fixing before each a wooden screen1 nailed to a post sunk in the ground1 and large enough to throw the whole front into shade4 ,this does not interfere with the coming-forth of the ,bees at a proper temperature1 and it supersedes the necessity of shutting ,them up when snow is on the ground4 ,the screen should be fixed a foot or two in advance1 and so as to intercept the sun's rays1 which will be chiefly in winter towards the west side4 ,ventilation4--,where boxes are used ventilation cannot be too much insisted upon1 and a frequent examination of the floor-boards2 and where dampness and mouldiness are observed1 they should be exchanged for clean and dry ones4 ,enemies and ,snow4--,the titmouse must be sharply looked after and destroyed as winter approaches1 either by trapping1 shooting1 or bird-lime4 ,mice are also very apt to take up their winter abode inside the hives1 where the single pedestal is not used2 hence the necessity of a frequent examination of the hives4 ,see that the entrances of the hives are narrowed1 and that during the time snow remains upon the ground they are wholly closed1 so that not a single ,bee can escape1 for the sun shining upon the snow never fails to bring the ,bees out of their hives1 and settling upon the snow1 they are immediately chilled1 and die2 but1 upon the disappearance of the snow1 not an hour must be lost in unstopping the entrances1 and giving the ,bees full liberty4 ,this is very important1 for1 after a confinement of ten or twelve days1 which may sometimes be found necessary1 full liberty must be given them1 upon the melting of the snow1 by unstopping the hives2 and not only unstopping1 but seeing that the entrances are clear1 and not filled up with dead ,bees1 which1 after a long confinement1 will very frequently happen4 ,many a good stock has perished for want of this precaution4 ,glasses and ,hives4--,the provident apiarian will now provide himself with all the glasses and hives1 of whatever kind he may fancy1 either of wood or straw1 that he may be likely to require during the ensuing season2 and it is always better to have a few to spare than to have a short supply1 for it is not at all an unusual thing for a swarm to fly away whilst sending about to procure a hive2 when on the contrary1 had there been a good supply1 much time and inconvenience would have been saved1 as well as the loss of the ,bees prevented4 ,many cottagers make their own hives during the winter evenings1 and very praiseworthy it is2 the materials to make them cost very little4 ,straw is easily obtained2 brambles1 also to sew them with abound everywhere2 and the method of making them is very easily acquired4 ,i would recommend a swarm never to be put into an old hive2 the old hives will be useful as covers to glasses1 and for hiving second and third swarms that are to be joined to others on the evening of the day they swarm4 ,where wood hives are used a second time1 great care must be taken to make them thoroughly clean1 and free from the eggs of moths4 ,,february ,very little attention will be required during this month beyond looking to the coverings1 and seeing that they be all sound1 and that no moisture comes upon the tops of the hives4 ,towards the end of the month1 particular attention must be given at this season in endeavouring to keep the interior of the hives free from damp1 which a frequent changing of the floor-boards will tend very much to effect4 ,indeed1 after so long a confinement it becomes necessary1 or the health of the stocks will be much endangered4 ,feeding4--,food must be liberally supplied2 but in so doing much attention must be paid to neatness and cleanliness in its administration1 for when syrup is used the greatest care must be given that it be not smeared about the hives and floor-boards1 for it will not only cause dampness in the hives1 but induce fighting amongst the ,bees when they are able to fly abroad4 ,let the food be given1 if possible at the top of the hive2 if at the bottom1 not till after sunset1 carefully stopping up the entrance of the hive1 and removing the vessel in which the food was given before sunrise the next morning2 for the appearance of the ,aconite and ,crocus will not only delight our eyes1 and gladden our hearts1 but they will also arouse our little favourites to life and activity2 and as the supplies of honey from these flowers at this early season will be very small--sufficient only1 perhaps1 to create a desire for a larger quantity1 the feeding-pan1 therefore1 if allowed to remain at the bottom of a weak hive1 will be resorted to by all the ,bees of the apiary1 causing much fighting and loss of life1 and very probably the destruction of the stock in which it had been placed4 ,by feeding at the top1 all this may be avoided2 not only the trouble of removing the feeding-pan every morning1 but the danger and loss certain to arise from fighting4 ,stocks4--,a careful examination of every stock should be made on a mild day towards the end of the month2 and where any doubt exists as to the sufficiency of food in the hive to carry the ,bees safely through the spring1 a supply should now be given1 and ,i must still recommend barley-sugar 7where honey cannot readily be obtained7 as the best food that can be given4 ,a good receipt for making it may be found in page #be2 but it must always be remembered1 that where barley-sugar is used as food1 the ,bees should never be left1 even for a day1 without a supply1 either at the top or bottom of the hive2 the former is always preferable4 ,it should be remembered1 also1 that it is much better to give food before the stock is absolutely in want of it1 than to wait till its store of food is exhausted4 ,there are many reasons for this1 well known to every practical apiarian4 ,promoting ,early ,breeding4--,binding the hives neatly over with haybands would be as little trouble and expense as anything4 ,the end of the month will be the proper time for trying this experiment2 and ,i have little doubt but1 if carefully attended to1 the result will prove to be all that is desired4 ,the entrances to the hives1 if large1 should be reduced1 so as to leave room only sufficient for the easy ingress and egress of the ,bees4 ,water4--,it must not be forgotten to place water in the vicinity of the hives1 as directed at page #dc4 ,enemies4--,the chief enemies to guard against at this time are mice and birds2 cold2 if the floor-boards and hives are dry1 affects them but little4 ,hives of ,comb4--,let the hives of comb in which swarms of the last year have died be carefully preserved for the purpose of putting swarms of the coming season into them4 ,the best method of keeping such hives will be1 after having cleared them of the dead ,bees1 to hang them up in a dry place out of the reach of mice or rats4 ,the advantage which a swarm put into a hive of clean dry comb has over one that is put into an empty hive is very great indeed1 and known only to those persons who have experienced it4 ,pollen4--,by the end of the month our little pets will have begun their labours for another year1 in collecting pollen from the ,winter ,aconites and the early kinds of ,crocus1 and1 if the weather is not very severe1 from the ,elms also4 ,some years since ,i was curious to learn from what a grey or ash-coloured pollen was obtained1 which the ,bees brought home in rather large quantities very early in the season1 at a time when the ,aconites only could be seen in flower2 but happening to pass beneath some ,elm trees on a bright day1 to my surprise ,i heard the hum of ,bees1 and on looking closely ,i observed several very busily employed1 which induced me to take a branch home1 and by comparing under the microscope the pollen1 which it shed abundantly on being placed in a warm room1 with that brought by the ,bees1 ,i found them to be alike1 which fully satisfied me in this matter4 ,pedestals4--,where the stocks are placed upon pedestals of wood it will be well to look to them1 for ,i have lately heard of some sad disasters arising from the want of this little attention4 ,it is about an inch below the surface of the ground that the mischief takes place1 and when once begun1 goes on rapidly1 except good oak has been used4 ,,march4 ,our little favourites1 by the appearance of the early spring flowers1 and the return of milder weather1 are again aroused into life and activity2 but it must always be remembered that the most trying time for them is from the middle of ,february to the end of ,march2 for none but well-stored stocks can bear up against the great inequality betwixt the internal demand and the external supply of this period4 ,the winter1 to be sure1 has been very cold1 which is generally in their favour2 for but little1 if any1 evil is to be apprehended from a cold winter1 though much may arise from a mild one2 as1 during the latter1 the stock of honey is often exhausted1 from its inducing the ,bees to be in action1 without affording them any resources beyond their own stores4 ,diseases4--,this is the month in which dysentery and other disorders make their appearance amongst the ,bees2 but cleanliness and timely supplies of food are the best remedies1 and which are always found to prevent it4 ,spring-feeding1 however1 must be done sparingly2 for if the ,bees have had a sufficient winter's supply1 feeding will only be required on a small scale1 and to those that are weak1 it being chiefly intended as a stimulant to promote early breeding4 ,a hive that has less than #e lbs4 of honey in it is a weak one4 ,the importance of feeding is very great2 for languor and death1 says ,dr4 ,bevan1 are less frequently to be ascribed to disease than to the want of timely food4 ,hives4--,the time has now fully arrived for all careful apiarians to possess themselves of as many hives1 glasses1 boxes1 bee-dresses1 c41 as they are likely to require during the coming season2 and to those who prefer the use of straw hives ,i would say 7and that most emphatically71 ,never put a swarm into an old hive4 ,mr4 ,huish has said1 and with much truth1 that old hives are generally so overrun with vermin of an obnoxious character to ,bees1 that1 even should the swarm condescend to remain in them1 the ensuing winter will place the hive in such a ruinous state1 that the ,bees will forsake it in search of a more salubrious domicile1 or the contents of the hive will be destroyed by the insects4 ,boxes that have been already tenanted should be cleaned most carefully1 and boiling water from the spout a tea-kettle poured over the joints where the eggs of the wax moth--that redoubted enemy of the ,bees--will very probably have been deposited4 ,haybands4--,i have put in practice1 with my own ,bees1 what ,i recommended last month--namely1 covering some of my hives with haybands4 ,the good1 should any be found to arise from it1 in promoting early breeding1 shall be communicated in due course4 ,cleaning ,floor-boards4--,when performing this operation1 should the hives be found to be at all damp or mouldy1 take the precaution of raising them a little for a few hours on a dry day4 ,snow4--,should we after mild weather have snow1 it will be necessary to keep the entrances of the hives stopped whilst it remains upon the ground1 or the loss of life will be very great1 which1 at this season1 should be more especially guarded against4 ,examination4--,immediately upon the disappearance of snow1 every hive should be carefully examined1 and clean floor-boards supplied wherever the least dampness is observed4 ,bees ,gathering ,pollen4--,bees may now be seen upon a bright day in the ,aconites and early kinds of ,crocuses1 collecting the little pollen and honey which they afford2 and it is but little indeed--only just sufficient to arouse the workers to activity1 and the queens to depositing their eggs3 therefore1 without careful and constant feeding1 death by starvation must follow1 for ,i imagine that not one stock in ten has sufficient honey in store to support it through the winter and early spring4 ,forsaking ,hives4--,where the population is low1 and little or no food in store1 the ,bees are very likely1 upon a fine and mild day towards the end of the month1 to forsake their hives entirely1 and to join themselves to more populous and better-stored communities4 ,this desertion1 when it happens towards the end of ,april1 is frequently mistaken for an early swarm4 ,the only means of prevention is to keep them well supplied with food2 but even this will not1 in all cases1 keep them from leaving their hives4 ,wasps4--,it will be well1 during the present and the next month1 to be looking for queen wasps1 and destroying every one that makes its appearance4 ,a garden syringe is the most useful thing ,i have ever found to effect their destruction1 for if discharged at them1 it brings them to the ground1 and the foot then finishes the business4 ,buying ,stocks4--,march is a good time for purchasing stocks1 for those who are desirous to become ,bee-keepers2 and there is sufficient encouragement1 ,i think1 to induce many persons to engage in it1 for their cultivation1 if properly managed1 is attended with very considerable advantage1 much more1 indeed1 than what is generally supposed1 and would not be by any means a contemptible consideration with even those who may fill a superior rank in the rural population of our country4 ,,april4 ,april may be considered the first month of the apiarian's year1 a month of busy preparation for the coming honey season and its many pleasing occupations4 ,a good supply of new straw hives 7where they are used7 is supposed to be already in hand1 with glasses and covers1 depriving-hives1 adapting-boards1 ,bee-dresses for the operator and an assistant1 and indeed1 of everything that will be required during the season4 ,feeding4--,i must again press upon all persons who have weak stocks the necessity of feeding4 ,the ,bees are beginning to bestir themselves when the sun shines warm2 and inexperienced ,bee-keepers are apt to think that their stocks are now past danger1 and so take no more care of them4 ,but the truth is1 that the early spring months are the most dangerous of all2 many stocks that have stood the winter die in the spring1 which a few ounces even of food would prevent4 ,there is nothing to be gathered in the fields till ,april1 and in cold late seasons not muck before even ,may4 ,stocks should be watched well in spring1 and weak ones fed liberally4 ,as soon as they begin to stir a little food should be given them every other day1 or thereabouts1 until they refuse to take it1 for they will neglect the food given them as soon as they can gather honey4 ,method of ,feeding4--,the best manner of giving food to ,bees in a common straw hive is to put it into a dinner-plate1 cover it with a piece of writing paper thickly perforated1 and place it under the hive2 but should there not be sufficient room for the plate without touching the combs1 the hive may be raised upon a wooden hoop1 the exact size of the hive1 and about #b inches deep1 or upon a piece cut from the bottom of an old straw hive4 ,the food must be given after sunset1 and the plate removed by sunrise the next morning4 ,the entrance must be stopped while the food remains in the hive2 a piece of soft paper answers remarkably well for this purpose4 ,water4--,this must be supplied to the ,bees immediately1 for it is in the spring that they have the greatest occasion for it4 ,the plan that ,i have adopted is to have a trough of wood1 or stone1 #ah inches long1 #ab inches wide1 and #f inches deep1 sunk in the ground in the immediate vicinity of the apiary1 with a piece of thin wood1 thickly perforated with small holes1 made to fit loosely into it4 ,this perforated wood1 when the trough is filled with water1 will float upon its surface1 and save the ,bees from drowning--a mode of death causing the loss of numbers should they1 for want of this little accommodation1 be obliged to go to an open cistern or pool4 ,hives4--,it is now quite time to have a supply of hives for the coming season1 where new ones are required2 and where old ones are to be used1 to have them well cleaned4 ,it is also a good time to paint those hives that are occupied--it will greatly improve their appearance1 as well as tend to preserve them4 ,a well-made hive1 painted before the ,bees are put into it1 and once every other year afterwards1 will last uninjured for upwards1 of twenty years2 indeed1 ,i have one at the present time that has stood even much longer4 ,they may be painted after six o'clock in the evening without danger to the operator or inconvenience to the ,bees2 of course1 stopping the mouth of the hive for the time4 ,i find stone or straw colour to be the best1 as absorbing less heat than green or any dark colour4 ,perhaps1 on this account1 white would be best1 but the strong reflected light from it is very objectionable4 ,floor-boards4--,it will be well to give the floor-boards a final cleaning for the season1 and the middle of a bright day will be the best time for doing it2 and1 at the same time1 any pieces of comb that during the winter may have fallen from the top of the hives1 and are fastened by the ,bees to the bottom of the combs that are in their proper places1 should be removed4 ,cutting out ,old ,combs4--,this is also the best time to remove a leaf or two of comb from old hives1 perhaps the two outermost ones1 but not any more4 ,the box hives are admirably adapted for this operation2 still1 with a proper knife 7the one figured in page #eg71 it may easily be effected in the straw hive4 ,putting on ,glasses1 c4--,it is very probable that at the end of the month some of the most populous hives may require supering1 as it is termed1 but ,i would advise its not being done too soon2 indeed1 not till the ,bees have shown evident signs of want of room1 for it is exceedingly desirable that the stock should be in such a state as to ascend into the super immediately upon its being placed upon the stock hive4 ,guide-combs4--,i would recommend guide-combs being fixed in glasses of every kind that are to be placed either on hives or boxes4 ,the ,bees are induced thereby to commence working in them sooner than they otherwise would do2 and it must always be remembered1 that simply putting on a glass1 a box1 or a small hive1 will not prevent swarming1 except the ,bees commence working in it1 which a small piece of comb fixed at the top induces them to do more readily4 ,upon each of the side-bars1 nearest the centre one1 a small piece of comb should be fixed4 ,this is easily effected by heating a common flat-iron1 slightly warming the bars with it1 then melting a little ,bees-wax upon it4 ,the comb is now drawn quickly across the heated iron1 and held down upon the bar1 to which it firmly adheres1 if properly managed4 ,these pieces of guide-comb need not be more than #b or #c inches in diameter4 ,care should be taken that the pitch1 or inclination of the cells1 is upwards from the centre of each comb4 ,drone-celled combs for this purpose are to be avoided1 as well as those with elongated cells4 ,glasses will be provided1 and guide-combs fixed in them also4 ,pollen4--,this is not a busy month for the apiarian only1 but for his ,bees as well in bringing in pollen4 ,mr4 ,golding tells us that the neighbourhood of ,willows is of great advantage to the ,bees in early spring4 ,should a few fine days accompany their flowering1 many hives will be enabled to ward off the impending famine which but too often then threatens4 ,he says that from the #bjth to the #cjth of ,march1 in #ahcj1 the weather was so favourable as to enable the ,bees to make an extraordinary collection4 ,single hives in some days gained in weight upwards of #c lbs4 each1 and worked in wax where room was given as vigorously as at midsummer4 ,the spring of #ahda was a very similar one2 and he says that his hives on the #afth of ,march of that year gained from #b to #c lbs4 each during the day4 ,the whole tribe of ,crowsfoot are now making their appearance1 all of which are eagerly sought after by the ,bees1 but more especially the ,pilewort 7,ranunculus ficaria71 which affords them such an abundance of pollen during the months of ,march and ,april1 and which abounds in meadows1 pastures1 and hedge-banks4 ,seeing an abundance of it carried into a hive is a sure proof that the stock is in a healthy and thriving state2 but let it ,be remembered that pollen has nothing whatever to do with supplying the ,bees with food1 for they will die from starvation with the combs filled with pollen1 for it is only in the larv or grub state that they eat it3 therefore1 if the stocks have not a store of honey1 go on to give barley-sugar4 ,young ,bees4--,the population of every healthy stock of ,bees is now rapidly increasing1 and numbers of young ones may be seen upon every sunny day crowding the entrances of the hives to exercise their wings for the first time1 which they may be observed to do with the greatest caution1 running from side to side of the alighting-board before venturing to fly4 ,the imperfect nymphs1 also1 are strewed upon the hives during the night to be carried away by the ,bees as soon as the hour of labour commences4 ,this circumstance also indicates a rapidly increasing population4 ,a very large quantity of food is consumed by the young ,bees while in the larv or maggot state1 which draws very heavily upon the store of the food of the hive4 ,it1 therefore11 behoves the apiarian to look attentively to all weak stocks1 and more especially to swarms of the last year1 and to let them have a regular supply of food2 and1 for those who like but little trouble in feeding1 dry barley-sugar is1 unquestionably1 the best mode in which it can be administered2 it may be given either at the top or bottom of the hive1 for it does not1 like liquid food1 attract robbers to the hives that are supplied with it4 ,drone ,bees4--,drone ,bees usually make their appearance towards the middle or the end of this month2 their first appearance is very gratifying to the ,bee-keeper1 for it proves to him that his stocks are in a healthy and prosperous condition4 ,it is said that the celebrated apiarian ,bonner was always so delighted at their first appearance1 that he made the day one of festivity and rejoicing for himself and all his family4 ,robbers4--,as considerable robberies frequently take place in this month among the ,bees1 attention is required to discover if any hives are attacked2 and when it is found to be the case1 it will be necessary to narrow the entrance of the hive1 so that only one or two ,bees at most can go in at the same time4 ,the weak stocks1 in general1 are those that suffer from pillage4 ,robber ,bees may easily be distinguished from others1 for they fly rapidly round the hive1 and hover before the entrance for some time before alighting2 and when they venture to do so they are generally seized by some of the sentinels which guard the entrance4 ,queen ,wasps4--,the destruction of queen wasps1 which are now beginning to make their appearance1 will prove the best security against their progeny1 those formidable enemies of the ,bee4 ,in ,april and ,may they are very easily captured1 and every one now destroyed would probably have been the founder of a nest1 which may be computed at #cj1jjj at the least4 ,moths4--,moths are by far the most dangerous enemies the ,bees have to contend with4 ,it is the caterpillars of these moths which gnaw and destroy the combs2 and they would soon be ruined by these insects1 if the ,bees did not offer the greatest opposition to their ravages4 ,the perfect insect 7,galleria cerreana and ,galleria alvearia7 may be seen fluttering about the hive at sunset1 from ,april to ,october1 and should be promptly destroyed whenever observed4 ,,may4 ,the most interesting as well as the most active month in the apiarian's calendar has now commenced2 food for his little favourites abounds in every direction1 and no fear need now be entertained of famine4 ,the population of the hives will have increased considerably1 and drones by this time are making their appearance1 which proves that the stocks are in a healthy and vigorous state1 and should be a subject of congratulation to every ,bee-keeper4 ,early drones1 early swarms1 is a maxim1 the truth of which every experienced apiarian is well acquainted with4 ,to those persons who are managing their ,bees upon the depriving system1 the time will now have arrived for supplying each stock with a small hive1 box1 or bell-glass2 and should the season prove a favourable one1 the supply1 also1 of a second may be found necessary before the end of the month4 ,method of ,placing the ,bell-glass1 ,box1 or ,small ,hive upon the ,improved ,cottage ,hive4--,take the moveable piece of straw-work from the top of the hive 7see page #h71 and place it upon the adapting board 7see page #h72 then put the bell-glass1 small hive1 or box 7see page #h71 upon this adapter1 and cover the whole with a milk-pan to defend them from wet4 ,should a bell-glass be preferred1 it must be covered with something that will effectually exclude light4 ,a cover of straw is1 perhaps1 the best4 ,it is very desirable to fix a piece of clean comb inside the glass1 and this may very easily be done by warming the perforated zinc tube1 which is sold with the glasses1 and then pressing the piece of comb upon it4 ,should the comb reach from the top to the bottom of the glass1 so much the better2 for the ,bees will then begin to work upon it immediately4 ,those persons whose ,bees are now in common straw hives may1 if they please1 commence with the above system at once4 ,bet them in the middle of a fine clear day1 with a strong sharp knife1 cut out from the top of the hive a piece of the straw-work1 #d inches in diameter1 and then place over the opening the adapting board1 c41 as directed above4 ,should the combs be a little broken at the top of the hive it matters not4 ,indeed1 it is rather to be wished that they should be so2 for the ,bees in repairing them are induced to carry their work upwards in the glass or box that is given them4 ,this operation may be done without any protection whatever by an experienced person2 for if done at a proper time and well managed1 not a ,bee will take wing4 ,all operations1 except joining swarms1 should be performed on a fine clear day1 and between the hours of twelve and two o'clock4 ,at the same time1 such operations are done with much less annoyance to the ,bees1 as well as with less chance of danger to the operator4 ,i generally perform all the operations required in this system without the defence even of a pair of gloves2 but ,i would not recommend any person to do so until he has had many years' experience in the management of ,bees2 for being perfectly defended in every part against their stings1 gives that coolness and confidence to the operator upon which the happy accomplishment of his intentions so much depends4 ,coolness and confidence on the part of the operator are essential qualifications2 for anything approaching to hurry irritates ,bees exceedingly4 ,indeed1 the hand ought never to be hastily removed from one position to another4 ,quietness1 says ,dr4 ,bevan1 is the surest protection against being stung4 ,defence4--,the best defence that ,i have found is a mask of wire similar to a fencing mask1 and a pair of very thick worsted gloves4 ,it should be remembered that nothing is either more offensive or more irritating to ,bees than the human breath3 therefore1 the breathing upon them must at all times be most carefully avoided4 ,covering for ,glasses4--,when the ,bees are beginning to work in a glass1 a cold night generally obliges them to forsake their newly-made combs1 and to discontinue their labours1 which are seldom resumed till the middle of the next day4 ,to prevent this delay1 ,i would recommend the space between the glass and its cover to be filled with fine tow or wool1 the temperature of the glass being thereby kept up1 and the ,bees enabled to carry on their labours without interruption4 ,wool is to be preferred from its not being so good a conductor of heat as tow4 ,hives4--,the time has now arrived for those persons who are wishing their ,bees to swarm to have a supply of hives in readiness2 and where straw hives are used1 ,i would recommend new ones in all cases1 except where a swarm of the last year has died1 and the combs still remaining in the hive1 the combs being dry and free from mould4 ,a hive of this kind is a great help to a swarm2 for one treated in this manner will generally be found ,better than one a fortnight or three weeks earlier that has been put into an empty hive4 ,depriving-,hives1 or ,supers4--,it will now be time to have small hives1 boxes or glasses1 in readiness to place upon stock hives4 ,each box1 or glass1 should have a few pieces of guide-comb neatly fixed in it2 but refrain from putting them on until there are evident signs of want of room4 ,this may be ascertained by the ,bees thickening at the entrance1 and by a loud hum inside2 for if put on too early it will retard the hatching of the brood1 as well as give the ,bees an unwillingness to enter it at all4 ,the most desirable time for placing a glass or box upon a stock hive1 is the exact time when they will enter it immediately2 but the knowledge of this1 ,i am aware1 is attended with some difficulty4 ,i have always found1 that by giving a glass too early in the season1 ,bees appear to take a dislike to it1 and will swarm rather than enter it4 ,when ,i have been able to put a glass upon a crowded hive at about nine o'clock on the morning of a warm day1 it has scarcely ever failed to be filled with ,bees immediately4 ,be the super of wood1 glass1 or straw1 a small piece of guide-comb is a great inducement to the ,bees to begin working in it at once4 ,ventilation4--,it has been my practice for some years to give all the ventilation possible to my stocks in boxes1 by withdrawing all the slides about ,october1 and keeping them open to the end of ,april3 for then no condensed vapour can injure either the combs or the ,bees1 and then shutting them for a week or two before putting on the glasses1 so that1 upon again opening them1 the ,bees immediately take possession of the supers1 and begin their work in them4 ,driving ,bees from one ,hive to ,another4--,i am frequently applied to by beginners for the best plan of removing a stock of ,bees1 at this season1 from an old hive to some fancy one they have chanced to meet with1 and ,i have1 in all cases1 said that it is a plan ,i have never either adopted or recommended4 ,let the ,bees remain in the old hive1 and if it be too unsightly to be tolerated1 have a tasty cover of wood or zinc made to fit it and let them swarm1 and put the swarm into the new hive4 ,if a weak one1 join the second swarm to it2 if not1 hive the second swarm in the usual manner1 and then in ,september1 either by driving or fumigating the ,bees in the old hive1 join them to the second swarm4 ,swarms4--,those persons who are anxious to commence ,bee-keeping by purchasing swarms1 must now provide themselves with such kinds of hives as they are wishing to see their ,bees placed in1 and send them to the persons of whom they have agreed to purchase1 that the ,bees maybe hived into them at the time of swarming4 ,should it be straw hives that are chosen1 let there be no sticks placed withinside them for the ,bees to fasten their combs to1 for they cause them much trouble in forming the combs1 and render the extraction of the combs almost impossible4 ,let there be no sugared ale nor honey put inside the hive1 but let it be as clean and dry as possible2 and when it is fixed where it is to remain let there be no mortar or clay put round to fasten it to the floor-board--the ,bees themselves will do this more effectually4 ,clay or mortar tends very much to decay the hives by retaining moisture1 and is a harbour for moths and other insects4 ,on the depriving system1 a hive may be expected to stand for fifteen or even twenty years1 if properly managed4 ,purchasers should endeavour to obtain the very earliest swarms in ,may1 if there be any1 but on no account to have them after the #adth or #aeth of ,june2 and it is very important to observe1 that whenever a swarm is purchased1 it must be removed to the place in which it is to remain upon the evening of the day it swarmed2 for should its removal be delayed even till the evening of the next day1 the combs will in all probability be broken1 and the stock destroyed4 ,let it be remembered1 that the prosperity of the hive will much 7perhaps entirely7 depend upon its being finally placed upon the evening of the day it swarmed4 ,it must be a very peculiar kind of day to induce a first swarm to emigrate4 ,it must be a balmy still day1 and something besides that ,i cannot discover1 for there may be several days to all appearance alike1 and upon one of these days everybody's ,bees shall swarm1 whilst not another swarm1 perhaps1 shall be heard of on any other day for some time4 ,this late swarming will be a sad disappointment to those who are commencing ,bee-keeping this summer1 who indeed1 are not a few2 and ,i congratulate each one of them1 for they will find in the management and observation of their ,bees a constant and increasing source of interest and amusement4 ,premature ,swarms1 or the whole population of a hive leaving it1 and alighting at a distance from it2 in the usual manner3--,this generally happens early in ,may4 ,the best plan that can be adopted in these cases is to unite the ,bees to another stock1 if they should not join one of themselves2 for if put into a hive they generally leave it or die4 ,the cause usually arises from poverty1 or the old age of the queen4 ,should we have a dry ,may1 swarms may be expected at the end of the month3 therefore it will be good policy to have every arrangement for their reception made in good time2 but ,june must be the month for honey4 ,none in ,june1 none afterwards1 depend on it4 ,the honey harvest comes on all at once1 and very seldom lasts longer than a fortnight1 so that additional room should be in readiness if required4 ,enemies4--,queen wasps are now showing themselves1 and should be sought after and destroyed1 both by gardeners and apiarians4 ,a few mild days in ,february usually tempt them out1 when the cold which follows kills them1 or renders them so feeble as to be easily captured2 but now they come at once from their hiding-places to a temperature of #fj4 ,the destruction of the queens1 therefore1 is important both to the gardener as well as to the apiarian2 and1 as soon as they are seen to alight1 discharge a syringe full of water upon them1 which is sure to bring them to the ground1 when they may be crushed easily with the foot4 ,watch carefully for moths4 ,should the ,bees of any hive appear inactive about this time1 or should they not be seen to carry in pellets of pollen1 whilst others are doing it1 and this inaction continue for eight or ten days1 lose no time in examining the hive2 and should the moths have begun their work of destruction1 which may be known by seeing their combs joined together by their silken webs1 cut away the combs affected with a sharp knife1 and the hive may perhaps be saved4 ,the house sparrow may also be ranked amongst the enemies of ,bees1 for ,i have observed1 for the last four or five years1 the female birds flying from the ground up to the mouth of the hive1 and catching the ,bees just before1 or as they take wing1 and away with them to their young ones when their nest is nigh the apiary4 ,i have seen as many as six or eight journeys made in a quarter of an hour by the female bird only4 ,the male appears to take no part in it4 ,i have never witnessed the like at any other time but when the birds have young to provide for2 therefore it would be well to have all the nests in the immediate neighbourhood of the apiary destroyed4 ,feeding4--,weak stocks must still continue to have barley-sugar supplied to them1 for during the prevalence of north and easterly winds but little food can be collected4 ,pollen4--,those stocks that are alive will be carrying in pollen most abundantly of a golden yellow colour1 which is obtained from ,crowsfoot1 ,ranunculus ficaria1 and ,ranunculus bulbosa1 but more especially from the former1 it being the earliest as well as the most abundant2 for next to the ,dandelion1 it makes our meadows brilliant4 ,it is ,shakspeare's ,cuckoo-buds of yellow hue1 and greatly indeed are our little favourites indebted to it for a supply of food for their early progeny4 ,the ,crocus lasts but a short time1 and is met with only in gardens1 while this covers almost every meadow in the kingdom during the months of ,march and ,april3 therefore1 how little advantage arises from cultivating ,bee-flowers1 as they are frequently called1 for it is the fields1 and the fields alone1 that supply their store of honey4 ,sow twenty acres of ,white ,clover within a mile of them and leave it for seed1 and in the autumn twenty or thirty acres of ,buckwheat1 and much benefit will arise2 but the little that a garden affords them is almost valueless4 ,,june4 ,it will now be time to place glasses or small hives upon such stocks as are not intended to swarm1 and it will be well not to do it until the bees begin to show evident signs of want of room2 for then they will ascend immediately into the glasses1 and commence working2 but on the contrary1 when they are put on too early--that is1 before the stock hives are full with ,bees1 they will not go into them1 but frequently swarm in preference2 and besides1 opening the hive to put on the glass before it is full with4 ,bees causes a circulation of cold air through its centre1 which tends greatly to retard the hatching of the brood4 ,guide-combs4--,a glass should never be put on without having a piece or two of guide-comb placed at the top1 which may easily be effected by first warming the zinc tube1 and then attaching the comb to it whilst in that state4 ,glasses4--,for the method of placing glasses1 small hives1 c41 on the ,improved ,cottage ,hive see page #ed1 and for the treatment of swarms generally1 taking honey1 expelling the ,bees from glasses1 c41 see page #ef4 ,bar ,hives4--,persons who have possessed themselves of these excellent hives are by this time anxiously looking for swarms to put into them1 or quite as anxiously watching the progress of those already at work in them4 ,the guide-combs being properly fixed will insure their working regularly upon the bars of the stock box1 but not quite so surely upon those of the upper one2 for1 notwithstanding every precaution being taken to prevent it1 they will sometimes commence working their combs from the top of the stock box1 which forms the floor of the upper one4 ,this must be attentively watched for the first three or four days after opening the communication between the boxes1 and any comb observed in this position must be immediately removed4 ,artificial ,swarms4--,the present is a good time for obtaining artificial swarms1 and where any form of the ,bar ,hives is used1 the process is very simple1 and may be thus effected3--,from ten to twelve o'clock1 on a bright morning1 remove the board from the top of the parent hive2 select a bar1 the comb on which contains both eggs and brood1 and if a royal cell1 all the better1 but this is not important2 place the bar with comb in some convenient place1 so that it is neither bruised nor separated from the bar2 then turn up the parent hive1 after having fastened down the top1 and place the one intended for the new swarm upon it1 observing that the junction is perfect2 then1 by a continuous gentle tapping upon the parent hive for a few minutes1 a portion of the ,bees will have ascended into the hive4 ,remove the parent hive #fj or #ajj yards1 placing it upon a fresh floor-board1 and place the new hive exactly in the place of the old one1 and upon the same floor-board2 and1 as quickly as possible1 introduce the bar of comb filled with eggs and brood into its centre1 replace the top1 and endeavour to have the exterior of the hive as little altered in appearance as may be2 it will then be found that the few ,bees driven into the new hive1 with the number returning to it that were out at work1 with some that may come from the parent hive1 will altogether make a fair-sized swarm4 ,the parent hive will1 in all probability1 give another swarm in about fourteen days4 ,swarming4--,the time for swarms is now very nigh at hand1 if we are to have any2 but in weak stocks it is not very desirable4 ,however1 if they come1 the best must be made of them4 ,by all means let the new swarm be placed where it is to remain as soon as it is settled in its new hive1 which rarely exceeds ten minutes4 ,this will save the ,bees much loss of time1 as well as numbers of them their lives4 ,when there is dull and cold weather in ,march and ,april1 and even ,may1 many stocks become weak and feeble1 and numbers entirely perish2 therefore1 swarming1 generally1 must be later than usual2 and those persons who are wishing to prevent it altogether must not be satisfied by simply placing boxes or glasses upon their stocks1 but they must also see that the ,bees take possession of them1 and the best method to secure this is not to put the supers on until the ,bees begin to be a little inconvenienced for want of room2 and then1 by placing a bit or two of guide-comb1 as before directed1 into the super1 the ,bees will enter it at once and commence working4 ,queenless ,stocks4--,it is not at all unusual at this season to see the ,bees of some hives1 although possessing a good store of honey1 quite inactive1 carrying in no pollen1 and basking in the sun at the mouth of the hive1 but still giving smart resistance to a robber if he ventures to make an entry4 ,this arises from the old age or death of the queen2 and1 if the ,bees are numerous11 will go on in the same manner nearly through the summer4 ,but1 if the numbers be few1 robbers will attack them1 and little or no resistance will be offered2 but frequently the ,bees themselves will assist in carrying off the store to the pirates' home1 where the queenless ,bees will meet with a ready welcome4 ,the best method to adopt in such a case is to introduce a piece of comb from a strong hive1 which contains both brood and eggs1 and ultimately do very well4 ,in ,taylor's ,bar ,hive this process is very easily effected1 by merely taking a bar of comb from one hive and introducing it into another1 or a piece of comb1 with eggs and brood1 may be fixed in a bell-glass1 and placed upon the queenless hive4 ,queen ,wasps4--,to destroy these ,bead's ,syringe is a very useful instrument1 for by discharging it at them when they alight1 it is sure to bring them to the ground1 when the foot may easily be put upon them4 ,it is important to every apiarian and gardener1 but more especially the former1 to destroy all they can at this season4 ,early ,breeding4--,many plans have been adopted to effect this very desirable object1 and none entirely without success1 but variously1 according to the means used4 ,the hives that have been simply bound with haybands are certainly earlier than those that have not2 but those that have been covered with loose sacking1 and then bound tightly round with oil-cloth1 so that when the coverings were taken off for a few minutes the outside of the hive felt quite warm1 are earlier still2 whilst those placed in a greenhouse are earlier than either2 but the earliest are those covered with fermenting stable-litter2 yes1 literally placed in the centre of a hotbed1 leaving only a passage for the ingress and egress of the ,bees4 ,proper ,time for ,taking ,honey4--,it is probable that in favourable situations1 towards the close of the present month1 some glasses1 small hives1 or boxes of honey may be in a sufficiently forward state to allow of their being taken off1 which may be known by their being filled with honey1 and the combs all sealed up2 or they may remain till those placed beneath them are also sealed up4 ,upon very strong and populous hives1 in a good season1 it is necessary to place even a third2 but this must be removed with great caution1 and certainly not before the end of ,august1 or the beginning of ,september1 and not then unless the parent hive contains full #bj lbs4 of honey4 ,,july4 ,swarming is frequently much later than usual if ,may be wet and cold1 and the stocks be very weak4 ,it is very probable that second and third swarms will be coming in ,july1 and should it prove so1 we would recommend their being united to late swarms1 or three or four of them being put together4 ,returning ,swarms4--,the necessity for returning swarms in some seasons1 ,i think1 will be apparent to every one at all acquainted with ,bee management1 and1 indeed1 in some cases of returning swarms2 but this cannot be done with any chance of success but in a bar hive1 and there the operator is sure to succeed4 ,the manner of performing the operation will be as follows3--,as soon as the swarm has left the parent hive1 proceed immediately to open the hive and take out the bars1 one by one1 and cutting from each comb every royal cell that is seen upon it1 and replacing the comb again in the hive4 ,the cell in which the queen ,bee is born is entirely of a different construction from that of either the drone or the common ,bees4 ,the cell of the latter is placed horizontally in the hive1 and that of the queen is placed perpendicularly2 that of the common ,bee is an exact hexagon1 and that of the queen circular2 besides1 the cell of the queen is always fixed at the sides of the combs1 and generally upon that near the middle of the hive4 ,this operation of removing the royal cells will take about five minutes2 and1 when done1 return the swarm immediately to the hive4 ,the old queen which led it off1 finding by this process that there is no royal brood left in the hive to succeed her1 will not again attempt to leave it4 ,persons who have never practised this method will be surprised to find how easily it is accomplished2 for the parent hive will at this time be found to be almost depopulated from the numbers that have left it in the swarm1 and those that are out collecting4 ,in some cases the help of a puff or two of tobacco-smoke may be useful1 should the few ,bees left be angry1 or the operator feel at all timid4 ,the readiest way of returning the swarm will be to lay a board upon the floor-board of the hive1 and parallel with it1 upon which1 by a smart and sudden movement1 shake the swarm1 and as nigh to the entrance of the parent hive as can be done conveniently1 and with the finger1 or a piece of wood1 guide a few ,bees to the entrance1 and the remainder will follow immediately4 ,glasses and ,small ,hives4--,the proper time for opening the communication between the boxes1 as well as for putting glasses or small hives upon swarms that are in the ,improved ,cottage ,hive1 must in some measure depend upon the season4 ,in a good season it may be done from the eighteenth to the twenty-first day after the time of their being hived4 ,in some seasons ,i have had a glass holding #aj lbs4 of honeycomb filled in less than a fortnight from the time of putting it on4 ,when this happens1 a box or small hive should be placed between it and the hive as directed at page #bb2 or1 in all probability1 a second swarm will be thrown off4 ,to prevent this1 every possible means must be taken2 for the swarm coming so late in the season1 as this must consequently be1 is generally of no value1 except to unite to others1 and the stock itself is so weakened by it that it seldom lives through the following winter4 ,melted ,combs4--,shading should always be had recourse to in such weather as that of the middle of ,july1 and more especially so for swarms of the year4 ,in those cases where it has2 unfortunately taken place1 it will be better to shade immediately and nothing more1 leaving the rest that is to be done entirely to the ,bees4 ,shading4--,should the weather prove very hot and sultry1 it will be necessary to shade newly-hived swarms for a few hours in a day1 say from ten till two o'clock2 a green bough answers very well for this purpose--that from the fir trees1 perhaps1 is the best1 as well as the most durable4 ,i have more than once seen the combs of a newly-hived swarm so heated by a ,july sun as to fall from the top of the hive1 and the honey to run in a stream from its entrance1 consequently the stocks were ruined4 ,wasps4--,i am quite sure that it is needful for us all to use every means in our power for the destruction of these sad enemies to our ,bees4 ,as prevention is always better than cure1 that object is attained by capturing the queen wasps at this time2 and1 indeed1 as long as they can be seen4 ,some persons recommend shooting them4 ,i have always found a garden-syringe to be a very useful thing2 for if filled with water and discharged at them1 it seldom fails to bring them to the ground1 but it matters not by what means so that they are destroyed4 ,,august4 ,i have already sufficiently insisted upon the necessity of uniting second and third swarms1 so that1 amongst my readers1 not even one second or third swarm can be found by itself4 ,it should be impressed upon the mind of every apiarian1 that the larger the colony at the outset1 the better the ,bees will work1 and the more prosperous it will become4 ,a stock weak at the outset never does well4 ,the method of returning1 as given at page #ec1 is very simple1 and may be accomplished in a few minutes1 even by the most inexperienced person4 ,returning ,swarms4--,returning first or second swarms to their parent hive1 is not only attended with much trouble1 and1 generally1 with a failure of the object desired1 but also with much loss of time to the ,bees1 and that at a season of the year when every hour is of importance to them4 ,a swarm left a ,nutt's hive on the #crd of ,june2 the queen was captured1 and the swarm returned4 ,within a few days of the time before mentioned it came out again1 and was treated in a similar manner2 and so it continued to go on until nearly the end of the month1 when the swarm1 instead of being returned to the parent hive1 as had been done so many times before1 was hived into an improved cottage hive1 where it did very well2 but during the whole time that swarming was going on1 which occupied three weeks1 and these the best three weeks of the year1 working was entirely suspended 7which is always the case71 and not a pound of honey was stored2 whereas1 had the swarm been put in the cottage hive in the first instance1 from #ae to #bj lbs4 of honey would1 in all probability1 have been collected by it in that time4 ,an apiarian1 in ,norfolk1 some years since1 had a stock of ,bees in a favourite hive1 which1 very much against his wishes1 and notwithstanding every means having been taken to prevent it1 sent out a swarm4 ,he captured the queen1 and returned the swarm2 after a few days the swarm came forth again1 and was treated in the same manner1 and it went on to swarm for either seven or nine times1 and was returned as many times1 except the last1 when it was put into a new hive4 ,thirteen queens were captured and destroyed during this process1 very nearly a month was spent in swarming and being returned1 and1 consequently1 no work was done during that time2 the result of which was that the best part of the season having been lost neither swarm nor stock was of any value4 ,i would1 therefore1 say1 ,let all be done that can be done to prevent swarming1 by giving room and ventilation1 which has very rarely failed2 but if1 after every means has been used to prevent swarming1 a swarm should come off1 never attempt returning it1 but hive it by itself in the usual manner4 ,early ,swarms4--,now1 as early swarms appear to be so very desirable1 it may be asked1 ,what are the most likely means of insuring them8 ,and1 in reply to this question1 ,i would say1 ,leave the stocks rich in store in the autumn1 the contents of each hive weighing1 at least1 from #bj to #be lbs41 and let the population also of each hive be very numerous2 if it be not so1 add the ,bees from weak hives into it4 ,autumnal ,unions4--,where second and third swarms have been hived by themselves1 they will generally be found too poor to live through the winter1 even with feeding2 and1 where this has been done1 they may be put two or three together in the manner directed at page #fj4 ,taking ,honey4--,those persons who have been so fortunate as to get their glasses filled with honey will now be preparing to take them off2 but ,i would recommend every one to do it with great caution2 and not only first to weigh the matter well in their own minds1 but also to weigh their hives1 and if it can be satisfactorily proved that they will contain #bj lbs4 of honey each when the glasses are removed1 all well2 but if not1 let the glass or box remain upon the stock hive until the bees have emptied it of its honey2 as soon as this is ascertained1 let it be removed4 ,some persons having found much difficulty in expelling the ,bees from a glass or box1 after having removed it from the stock hive1 and others who have complained of the time occupied in effecting this object1 may adopt the following very ingenious and useful apparatus1 invented by ,mr4 ,antram1 a clergyman of ,devonshire1 and which has been kindly handed to me1 with his permission to make it public4 ,it is a contrivance for emptying a hive of its occupants2 it may also be applied to a bell-glass1 or box1 either at top or attached to a board on which the removed glass is placed4 ,he calls it his ,bee-trap2 and it is1 he says1 ,an invention for taking the honey from every description of double hive1 which is not only simple1 but very efficacious1 and entertaining to watch4 ,i should premise that every extra box or hive must be furnished with a second aperture never to be opened except when the honey is to be taken4 ,provide a block of wood #a inch longer and half an inch deeper than the aperture1 and #c or #d inches wide2 cut the front to an angle of #de or less2 then cut out of the under part a groove the exact size of the aperture1 thus leaving a thickness of half an inch of wood at the sides and top4 ,get a piece of talc1 or very thin horn 7glass is too heavy71 cement or gum it to a piece of ribbon1 which latter fasten to what remains of the sloping front above2 divide the talc into portions about a quarter of an inch wide4 ,a tin bottom should be affixed to the whole1 to which the talc must reach1 and on which it must rest4 ,when you wish to empty a hive place this before the opening before mentioned1 and cut off the communication between the hives2 the ,bees1 seeing the light1 will one by one push up the small pieces of talc and escape2 the talc falls back in its place2 thus there is no re-entering1 and your hive becomes rapidly emptied4 ,there is here no previous removing of the hive or box1 no danger of a sting1 and no fear of robbers2 even if the queen be there1 she1 finding herself deserted by her subjects1 will soon depart1 and re-enter the stock hive by the accustomed entrance4 ,it acts upon the same principle as the old wire rat-trap4 ,two loops of tin1 with holes through1 are added1 to fasten or suspend it1 when there is no alighting-board4 ,it may be placed on the top of a box1 but must then have a hole in the bottom1 and a slip of tin by way of a back2 the tin bottom may project a little beyond the lower edge of the talc in front1 and1 indeed1 it is better so4 ,this useful contrivance ,i feel assured will be adopted by many persons2 for it will entirely prevent the tediousness of watching a glass of honey until the ,bees have left it1 which without this protection is at all times necessary1 and more especially so when taken late in the season1 and robbers are on every side4 ,i have more than once seen a good glass of honey emptied of every drop by them when carelessly left by its owner for a few hours2 now1 with this trap attached1 it may be left even for days with perfect safety4 ,taking off ,glasses of ,honey4--,some persons1 ,i doubt not1 are beginning to be anxious to possess themselves of a few glasses of honey from their ,bees4 ,if the combs are sealed up they may be taken2 but ,i would recommend every one who attempts it during hot weather to be more than commonly careful how they remove them1 or the combs will fall out4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #bf4 ,knife for ,cutting out ,combs4--,this knife1 which is so simple in its construction1 and so easily used1 deserves to be made generally known4 ,gelieu1 to whom apiarians are much indebted1 tells us that in ,switzerland it is commonly used1 and that the combs1 from hives of any shape or materials1 are extracted without any difficulty4 ,it is formed of a strip of steel #b feet long by one-eighth of an inch thick2 the handle is #bj inches long by half an inch broad4 ,the turn-down blade1 of #b inches in length1 is spear-pointed1 sharp on the edges1 and bent so as to form an angle of #ij with the handle2 the other blade is #b inches long by #a-a_/b inch broad1 and sharpened all round4 ,the broad blade cuts and separates the combs from the sides of the hives2 and the spear point1 which is also sharp on each side1 admits1 from its direction and narrowness1 of being introduced between the combs to loosen them from the top of the hive4 ,entrances to ,hives to re ,narrowed4--,towards the end of this month it will be necessary to contract the entrances of the hives1 that the ,bees may be better enabled to defend themselves from the attacks of wasps4 ,in ,taylor's ,hive1 these things are supplied2 but1 in the ,cottage ,hive1 ,i have found wedges of cork of different sizes to answer remarkably well4 ,wasps' ,nests to be ,destroyed4--,it will be well to have diligent search made in the neighbourhood of the apiary for wasps' nests1 and to have them destroyed1 for which purpose the spirit of turpentine appears to answer remarkably well4 ,the usual method of procedure1 ,i believe1 is to put a small quantity into a common wine bottle1 to put the mouth of the bottle into the hole leading to the nest1 and surrounding it with earth4 ,very little turpentine is required--merely as much as will wet the sides of the bottle4 ,if applied in the evening every wasp will be dead the following morning4 ,in no instance have ,i known it to fail of the desired effect1 except in cases where the nest is deep in the ground1 or at a greater distance from the mouth of the hole than was anticipated4 ,a failure may sometimes occur when there happen to be two entrances to the nest instead of one2 but a second application on the following evening is sure to prove effectual4 ,additional ,room4--,it will be quite useless to give additional room to any colony of ,bees1 be they ever so prosperous1 after the month of ,july is ended2 for the honey season is fast drawing to a close1 and the population of the hives very much upon the decrease1 not only from the killing of the drones1 but by the death of numbers of the workers4 ,transporting ,hives4--,in a fine season1 and in the prospect of a fine autumn1 every person whose locality admits of it should embrace the opportunity of sending his hives to the moors4 ,the advantages must be incalculable1 not only in quantity1 but in the delicious quality of the honey there obtained4 ,shading4--,should the present month prove hot it will be well to screen the swarms of the present year from the intense heat of the sun1 or the combs1 being new and tender1 may be melted by it2 where this unfortunately happens the stock is usually destroyed4 ,robbers4--,late swarms and stocks that are weak must be closely watched1 and if the least appearance of robbing discovers itself1 the entrance to the hive must be closed so as to admit but one ,bee at a time4 ,dressing ,hives4--,it would be well if this practice was discontinued altogether2 for when done in the most judicious manner the ,bees are greatly annoyed by it4 ,a clean dry hive is more pleasing to them than one besmeared with ale1 honey1 fennel1 and all the other good things used by good dames of old4 ,i heard of one having been washed1 or smeared1 with cream and sugar1 and in so profuse a manner that the ,bees1 which had to travel an hour by rail1 were found at the end of their journey to be completely saturated with it1 a large portion of them dead1 and the remainder in such a state as to render it necessary to kill them the next day1 to the vexation and disappointment of the gentleman to whom they were sent1 who had been impatiently waiting their arrival for some weeks4 ,cream ,i should imagine to be the most disagreeable thing that could be thought of for this purpose1 except it should be oil1 which is well known to kill a ,bee1 or almost any insect1 the instant it touches it1 and this cream ,i believe was some of the far-famed ,devonshire1 which in its rich and buttery nature approaches very closely indeed to oil4 ,,september4 ,removing ,supers4--,it is now quite time to remove glasses and supers of every kind from hives intended for stocks1 and to see that each one contains at least #bj lbs4 of honey2 if not1 they had better at once be made up to that weight by feeding4 ,at this time of year ,i would recommend syrup in preference to barley-sugar1 because it can be given in larger quantities1 and stored more quickly4 ,honey is1 unquestionably1 the best food that can be given2 and1 next to it1 a compound of honey1 loaf sugar1 and water4 ,barley-sugar is more suited to spring feeding1 when but little is required4 ,the proportions are1 one pound of sugar1 one-quarter of a pint of water1 and one-quarter of a pound of honey1 mixed and simmered over a slow fire till the sugar is melted4 ,early ,breeding4--,in our fitful climate this is a most important thing to effect1 and every possible means for promoting it should be used2 therefore in addition to what ,i have already said in the calendar for last month--viz41 leaving the stocks rich in store1 as well as in ,bees1 ,i would now say1 ,keep the stocks as cool as possible till the end of ,february2 and if1 as has already been said1 that cold retards the hatching of the brood1 warmth may be supposed to promote it4 ,i would therefore recommend1 where it is at all practicable1 at the end of ,february to increase the temperature of the hives1 by defending them externally from the cold of ,march and ,april1 by any means that may the most readily be had recourse to for the purpose4 ,perhaps binding the hives neatly over with haybands would be as little trouble and inexpensive as anything4 ,shading4--,it is very desirable to shade the hives from the winter's sun1 for the ,bees are not unfrequently tempted thereby to leave their hives1 never to return4 ,stocks for ,next ,season4--,the time will soon arrive for setting apart stocks to stand through the winter4 ,each one intended for this purpose should be made to weigh from #bj to #be lbs41 and the ,bees of all weak or very old stocks1 the hives of which are decaying so as not to stand with safety through another season1 should be driven to those that are the least populous in the apiary2 for it must be remembered1 that net only a good store of provision1 but that a large quantity of ,bees1 also1 is necessary to secure success for another year4 ,driving4--,for performing this operation1 as well as for almost all others1 ,i very much prefer the middle of a bright day to any other time4 ,the process is very simple1 and may be effected in a few minutes4 ,i very much wish that ,i could persuade all my cottage friends to adopt it1 instead of the cruel and wasteful method of burning2 for in weak stocks the ,bees themselves are frequently of as much value as their little store of honey and wax2 and1 by joining them to other stocks1 very considerable advantages arise4 ,my method of driving is this3--,on a bright day1 between eleven and one o'clock1 turn the hive from which the ,bees are to be driven bottom upwards1 in a shaded corner of the garden1 and place upon it a hive of the same size2 see that they fit closely1 and to make the junction more complete1 tie a cloth round the hives where they meet4 ,then1 with two sticks1 keep up a gentle but continuous tapping upon the sides of the inverted hive for about ten minutes1 the ,bees will by that time have left it and gone into the upper one4 ,having ascertained that fact1 take it immediately to the place where the driven hive was taken from1 and place it upon the same floor-board2 carry the driven hive #ej or #fj yards away1 and place it upon a fresh floor-board2 the few ,bees that remain in it1 as well as those that are out at work1 will return to the driven ,bees4 ,all is now finished until an hour after sunset1 except emptying the driven hive of its store1 when two sticks may be laid upon the ground about #h inches apart1 opposite the stock to which the driven ,bees are to be joined2 then1 with a smart stroke dash out the ,bees between the sticks1 and instantly1 but very gently1 place the stock they are intended to enter upon the sticks2 leave them for the night1 having first defended them from rain1 should any fall2 and in the morning1 an hour before sunrise1 replace the stock in its original position1 and all will be peace and harmony4 ,here1 then1 will be an increased population--a stock thereby enabled to stand through the winter much better1 and to send out a much earlier swarm1 if swarms are desired1 than if the union had not being effected4 ,wasps4--,it will be well to destroy wasps' nests in those localities where they are to be found4 ,stands4--,the end of the month will be a good time to examine the pedestals upon which the stocks are placed2 for it is not unusual to hear of a stock being destroyed by the pedestal decaying just below the surface of the earth1 so that by a strong wind1 or anything accidentally going against it1 it is broken1 and the combs by the fall so misplaced as to reader the stock of little or no value4 ,preserving ,hives of ,comb4--,where the ,bees have deserted their hives1 and it is swarms of the present year that have generally done so1 the combs should be carefully preserved1 by placing the hives in some dry spot out of the reach of mice or insects1 for the purpose of hiving swarms into them in the spring4 ,tho advantages afforded to a swarm by putting it into a hive of fresh1 clean comb1 are scarcely to be credited by those who have not experienced it4 ,,october4 ,the time has now arrived for deciding upon which stocks are to be set apart for standing through the winter1 and which are to be driven and joined to other stocks in the manner given in the calendar for last month4 ,those set apart either for swarming or working in glasses next year1 should be rich both in ,bees1 and honey1 weighing1 at least1 from #bj to #be lbs4 each4 ,those that are not so heavy must have a few pounds of food given to them immediately1 as well as having the ,bees from weak stocks joined to them4 ,in giving the estimated weight which should be allowed for the comb and ,bees in hives of the first year1 and when two1 three1 four1 or five years old1 ,i would say1 for a hive of seven years standing1 during the autumn and winter months1 allow for combs1 ,bees1 and stored pollen1 #g lbs42 for one of six years1 #f-a_/b lbs42 for five years1 #e-a_/b lbs42 for four years1 #d-a_/b lbs42 for three years1 #c-a_/b lbs42 for two years1 #c lbs42 and for one year1 #b lbs4 ,presuming the directions given in the calendar for ,september1 as to unions and feeding1 have been attended to1 but little attention will be required this month beyond guarding against depredations of wasps1 which are frequently numerous at this season4 ,winter ,preparations4--,glasses1 small hives1 and boxes1 should now all be removed from stock hives1 where it can be done without reducing the store below #bj lbs4 ,the stands1 likewise1 where wood is used1 should be examined1 and if found to be at all unsound replaced with new ones4 ,the ,moors4--,where ,bees are kept in the vicinity of the moors1 or where they have been removed to them1 an abundant supply of honey will be obtained from the heather during fine weather1 an advantage quite unknown to the ,bee-keepers of the eastern counties4 ,wasps4--,for destroying wasps' nests1 gas tar is even better than turpentine1 and their destruction is effected with much less trouble1 it being only necessary to put a small quantity into the mouth of the nest1 and cover it with earth2 digging out the nest1 or anything further done1 is quite unnecessary4 ,robbers will at this time be carrying on their depredations2 and should a serious attack be observed1 the entrance must be narrowed one-half at the least4 ,wedges of cork answer very well for this purpose4 ,stocks4--,it is now full time for the stocks to be put in order for the approaching winter4 ,defending them effectually from wet is of the first importance4 ,narrowing the entrances to prevent the ingress of mice is also necessary1 as well as their destruction in the neighbourhood of the apiary4 ,having done this1 and taken effectual means for keeping the hive free from damp1 very little fear need be entertained of their being carried safely through the winter without any further attention beyond that of occasionally cleaning the floor-boards1 and shutting up the hive whilst snow lies upon the ground4 ,coverings4--,the coverings1 also1 to the hives should be made secure against winds and rains4 ,a milk-pan1 notwithstanding ,its unsightly appearance1 is the best protection for a hive1 and for the winter months more especially so4 ,stands4--,let the pedestals which support the hive be well looked to at this time4 ,although to the eye they may appear sound1 let them be examined #b or #c inches below the surface of the ground1 and should they be found in an unsound state replace them by new ones3 and if they are little charred before fixing1 it may be the means of preserving them a little longer4 ,bees with a ,north ,aspect4--,much has been said of late as to the advantages arising from placing ,bees with the hive's entrance to the north1 which the following letter from a gentleman in ,devonshire tends very much to strengthen4 ,he says3-- ,in compliance with your wish1 ,i visited ,b---- yesterday1 and1 although not fortunate enough to find ,mr4 ,d4 at home1 ,i had a long conversation with his gardener1 who alone appears to take any interest in the apiarian matters4 ,one wooden hive1 brought by ,mr4 ,d4 from ,oxford1 is placed behind a wall1 through which the ,bees issue towards the south2 another wooden hive is completely embedded in shrubs1 but the entrance faces the north4 ,there is a stock in a portion of a hollow tree1 which was found when the tree was cut down1 and removed to its present position1 also facing the north1 and a row of fifteen common straw hives have the same aspect3 thus you will perceive that seventeen out of a total of eighteen stock are kept permanently facing the north4 ,the gardener states that he has preferred a north aspect during the last ten years1 and that he gets earlier swarms and more honey than his neighbours4 ,for two or three years previously he kept half his ,bees to the south1 and half facing the north1 and by weighing them in the autumn and spring 7,september and ,april71 invariably found that those facing the south consumed ten times the quantity of food as compared with the others--for instance1 if one consumed #aj lbs41 the other consumed but #a lb42 and if one lost #ae lbs4 during the winter1 the other would only diminish #a-a_/b lb4 ,i should state that ,b---- appears to me a first-rate locality1 being close to an extensive heath1 now in full flower4 ,the gardener told me that not only had he no difficulty in maintaining second swarms1 or casts1 during the winter1 but that he considered them quite equal to the first or prime swarms4 ,the row of straw hives is sheltered by trees and shrubs towards the south1 but lies exposed to the north wind1 which the gardener considers most important1 as he attributes the diminished consumption in the winter to the cold winds keeping the ,bees torpid4 ,the above is all the information ,i was able to glean during a long conversation1 as no kind of memorandum of any of the experiments has been kept1 and in the hope that it may prove interesting1 ,i am1 c4 ,now1 it must be remembered that this has been done in ,devonshire1 and it is not unlikely that climate may have to be considered as to aspect1 and what may do in ,devonshire might not answer so well in colder parts4 ,it has frequently been recommended to give ,bees an aspect more or less southerly in summer1 and a northerly one in winter2 but there seems now to be the strongest reason to expect that for all seasons the north will be found most suitable4 ,,november4 ,the requirements of the apiary are but few during the present month1 provided that feeding has been well attended to in the last4 ,should it1 however1 have been neglected1 no time must be lost in setting about it before cold weather sets in1 which may now reasonably be expected4 ,feeding4--,by this time hornets and wasps will have finished their work of destruction and pillage2 each hive1 therefore1 must now be carefully examined and weighed1 and should any be found having less than #ah or #bj lbs4 of honey1 supply them immediately with a sufficient quantity to bring them up to that weight4 ,floor-board4--,clean the floor-board of each hive by scraping ,it with a knife1 and brushing it afterwards with a dry brush1 and see that each hive stands firmly on its pedestal1 and is well defended against wet2 and for effecting this 7especially during winter71 ,i have never yet found anything equal to the milk-pan1 heavy and unsightly as it unquestionably is4 ,i have seen covers of zinc used1 but they are too light and frequently blown off by the wind2 and one night's heavy rain at this time of year will very nearly1 if not quite1 destroy one of the best stocks4 ,a gentleman of my acquaintance has had covers of cork made at a cost of #cjs4 each1 and very elegant things they are2 but1 after about fourteen months' trial1 they are abandoned because they will not effectually keep out wet4 ,entrances4--,the entrance to the hives must now be narrowed so that only two or three ,bees can come out at the same time for at this season mice are very likely to lodge themselves in the hives1 and they are very hurtful and destructive to the ,bees2 for1 having once fairly lodged themselves in a hive1 its entire destruction will be effected by them in a few days4 ,mr4 ,huish relates an anecdote of having found a dead mouse in one of his hives4 ,he says1 ,in the month of ,december1 on inspecting my apiary1 ,i perceived a hive to be in an unusual bustle and the ,bees in great agitation4 ,i was convinced that some accident had occurred in the interior of the hive1 and ,i resolved to examine it4 ,to my great surprise ,i found a dead mouse on the stand1 and it was almost covered with propolis 7,bee-bread74 ,i first resolved to remove this nauseous object2 but1 on more mature reflection1 ,i was not willing to forego the opportunity of ,experiencing1 by actual observation1 one of the most profound acts of foresight and wisdom which can possibly be found in the works of the animal creation4 ,what power is that which taught the ,bee the necessity of covering the dead mouse with a plaster8 ,it might have been thought sufficient to kill it1 that their property might be saved1 and then leave it to waste away in the common process of putrefaction4 ,but were this process to be allowed to take place1 the health and safety of the whole hive would be endangered4 ,to prevent1 therefore1 this occurrence1 the body of the mouse is1 as it were1 embalmed in a case of propolis1 and the object rots away without emitting any offensive odour4 ,i have myself occasionally found a snail fastened to the floor-board in a similar manner4 ,but a greater enemy to ,bees during the winter months than even the mouse will be found in that little marauder the blue titmouse 7,parus major of ,linnus71 which may be said to stand foremost as their enemy4 ,mr4 ,purchase says1 ,she will eat ten or twelve ,bees at a time1 and by-and-by1 be ready for more4 ,when she comes to the hive and finds none1 she knocks with her bill at the door1 and as soon as the ,bees come out to inquire the cause1 she catcheth1 first one and then another until her belly be full4 ,this ,i have observed in an apiary of about twenty hives1 in a village nigh to me1 for the last two winters2 the entrances of the hives by the end of the winter having the appearance of being gnawn by rats1 which has all been done by these birds4 ,shoot and trap them in the winter1 and destroy their nests in breeding time4 ,removing ,supers4--,all super as well as nadir hives should now be removed1 reducing the room occupied by each stock as much as possible4 ,ventilation4--,in hives of wood ,i have always found it necessary during the winter months to withdraw one of the slides at the top of the hive1 and place over the opening a feeder or small glass for the purpose of carrying off the condensed vapour1 which would otherwise run down the sides of the hive1 and cause dampness and mouldiness to the combs1 and sometimes the entire destruction of the stock4 ,mr4 ,taylor gives a drawing of a condenser for this purpose in his ,bee-,keeper's ,manual1 page #adb1 fourth edition1 which ,i have found to be very useful where a feeding-pan could not be placed4 ,removing ,bees4--,should any of our readers1 from what has already been said1 feel disposed to try a northern aspect for their ,bees1 ,i would recommend their not being removed at this time1 except they are brought from a distance1 and when it is immaterial at what time they are removed2 but if it be only from one part of the same garden to another1 it will1 be it when it may1 be attended with considerable loss2 therefore it had better be done when the cells are filled with brood--perhaps towards the end of ,march4 ,advantages of a ,northern ,aspect4--,i still continue to receive very favourable reports from those persons who have tried a northern aspect for their hives4 ,the results in every case already represented to me have been satisfactory2 but ,i am persuaded that the greatest care must be taken to keep the whole exterior of the hives from wet1 where they are not placed in a ,bee-house2 and however averse ,i may hitherto have expressed myself to the use of ,bee-houses1 ,i am now inclined to think that where a northern aspect is decided upon they may be necessary4 ,in ,devonshire it may not be required2 but wherever hives are placed in this aspect without the protection of a house1 ,i would particularly recommend that1 be the coverings whatever they may1 they be sufficiently large to prevent the drip from hilling upon the floor-boards of the hives2 for this would engender dampness1 and the loss of the stock would1 in all probability1 be the consequence4 ,bee-,houses4--,it must be remembered that1 wherever they are adopted1 they require the greatest care as to neatness and cleanliness1 for at best they are hiding places for the ,bees' worst enemies4 ,,december4 ,those persons who have been so fortunate in this untoward season as to obtain a few glasses of honey from their ,bees' must now look well to their stocks1 and by judicious feeding1 get them up to #bj lbs4 at least1 if it has not been already done4 ,i would very strongly recommend the food being supplied at the top of the hive2 and should the ,bees be in a hive that has not a hole in the top1 with a sharp knife make one forthwith1 for the danger as well as the inconvenience of feeding at the bottom1 and more especially at this season1 is very great4 ,food4--,i believe the best food that can be given1 next to honey1 which in some years is far too expensive for feeding1 is one pound of loaf sugar1 one quarter of a pint of water1 and one quarter of a pound of honey1 simmered for a few minutes over a slow fire till the sugar is melted1 and when quite cold11 given to the ,bees1 and at the top of the hive if possible4 ,stocks will require but little attention during this month beyond cleaning the floor-boards1 and seeing that there is neither damp nor mould in the hives2 and if the floor-boards are observed to be quite dry1 it will be a pretty sure indication that all is right within4 ,stopping-up1 however1 must not be forgotten when snow lies upon the ground1 if the ,bees are so placed that the sun shines upon their hives4 ,shading during the winter months is practised by many persons1 and is a very good plan2 but when we come to have all our ,bees placed in the north1 it will be rendered unnecessary4 ,an intelligent cottager brought me a very ingeniously-contrived little apparatus for preventing the sun's rays in winter inducing the ,bees to come out1 and at the same time preventing the cold winds from blowing into the hives4 ,it is a piece of three-quarter-inch deal1 #c inches wide1 and #b-a_/b long1 reduced at one end 7not in thickness7 so as to fit in the mouth of the hive1 and then with a gouge the under side is hollowed-out for about #b inches in length1 and five-eighths of an inch in breadth1 in a straight line with the entrance of the hive2 another hollow of the same dimensions is then made1 intersecting at right angles the one already made1 so that if the hive faces the south1 the ,bees come out east and west4 ,the under side has this appearance4 ,care1 however1 must be taken that this little contrivance is not pushed into the hive beyond the thickness of the straw2 and it must also be remembered that it will require to be taken out occasionally1 to brush away the dead ,bees that may accumulate inside1 or the passage may become blocked up1 and the health of the stock endangered4 ,illustration ,the population of the hives will now be found to be very much reduced2 but alarm for their safety on that account need not to be entertained4 ,it has been frequently said to me1 ,what becomes of the ,bees managed on the depriving systems if they are never suffered to swarm nor are destroyed8 ,to which my reply has been1 ,that it is well known to those who are conversant with the care of ,bees1 that their numbers decrease greatly in autumn1 not only by the destruction of the drones1 but also by the unavoidable deaths of many of the workers1 owing to the thousand accidents they meet with in the fields1 and owing to age4 ,a much less space1 therefore1 is required for them in the winter than was necessary in the summer months4 ,mr4 ,purchase1 who was a very careful observer1 says1 in his ,treatise on ,bees1 published in #afeg1 ,it is manifest that the ,honey-,bees are but yearly creatures2 they live but a year and a quarter at most2 for those ,bees that are seen in ,may1 lusty1 full1 brown1 smooth1 and well-winged1 will1 by the end of ,july following1 begin to wither1 becomes less1 look grey1 and have their wings tattered and torn1 and be all dead before the end of ,august4 ,ventilation4--,it will be advisable1 where ,bees are in boxes1 to see that they are well ventilated4 ,if in ,mr4 ,taylor's ,amateur's ,bar ,hive1 ,i would recommend the feeding-pan being allowed to remain on during the winter--say till the end of ,march--and one of the zinc sides of the hive taken out2 and if in any other kind of box1 let a bell-glass be placed over the opening at the top1 on the inside of which the vapour of the hive will condense1 and so pass off4 ,perhaps1 says ,mr4 ,taylor1 there is nothing more prejudicial than the moisture often engendered in hives at this time1 particularly after frost1 and in certain states of the atmosphere4 ,it accumulates on the top and sides1 moulding and rendering offensive the combs1 and producing disease amongst the ,bees4 ,for this reason1 hives with flat roofs have sometimes been objected to1 and perhaps1 justly1 when no provision is made for ventilation4 ,gelieu obviated the evil by placing caps or small hives over the stocks1 the moisture ascending evaporated through the opening4 ,i have1 says ,mr4 ,taylor1 tried different expedients1 and have found nothing better than the practice of condensing the vapour of the hive as much as possible1 and conveying it away4 7,see ,taylor's ,bee-,keeper's ,manual1 page #adi1 fourth edition1 where a figure of a condenser is given74 ,i would strongly recommend that particular attention be given to this little matter by those whose ,bees are in boxes2 for want of it many excellent stocks are lost1 or become so depopulated as scarcely ever to recover4 ,i have never yet found that hives made entirely of straw require any ventilation whatever2 indeed1 ,i consider it better for them to have none2 while those of wood or glass are in great danger of being destroyed without them1 for in very cold weather the vapour of the hive condenses on the top and sides1 and runs down upon the floor-board in such quantities as to cause general dampness and mouldiness upon all the combs4 ,when in this state1 if timely assistance be not rendered1 ruin very soon follows4 ,where ,bees are in boxes1 ventilation is of the next importance to feeding4 ,i have found the best method to secure a perfect ventilation is to leave one of the gratings1 or holes at the top of the box1 open1 from this time till the end of ,february1 and placing over it a small bell-glass1 or feeder2 the vapour will then condense upon the former1 and run down outside the box1 or upon the glass of the latter1 and be caught in the pan4 ,enemies4--,mice and birds must be carefully looked after1 for they are both very busy at this time1 and will destroy a stock1 sometimes very quickly1 if allowed to pursue their depredations unmolested4 ,hives1--,this is a good time to get a supply of straw hives in readiness for the coming season1 and to have them well covered with three coats of paint--stone or straw colour is the best2 white1 when the sun shines upon it1 is too dazzling1 and any dark colour absorbs too much heat4 ,snow4--,whilst snow lies upon the ground1 but not an hour longer1 the entrance of the hives should be stopped with perforated zinc1 and not a single ,bee allowed to leave them4 ,illustration ,,index4 ,adapting-boards1 #h ,alighting-boards1 #ah ,apiary1 aspect of1 #e in northern aspect1 #fb1 #fe ,barley-sugar1 #ci to make1 #be ,bar-frame1 compound1 #af ,bar hives1 #ea ,bee dress1 #cb trap1 #ef ,bees1 natural history of1 #c drones1 #d ,ligurian1 #cb queen1 #c workers1 #d removing from one hive to another1 #dh removing1 #fe ,bell-glasses1 #h1 #bb1 #ch1 #db1 #df to expel ,bees1 from1 #bh ,boxes1 #h putting on1 #df ,comb-bar1 improved1 #ag ,combs1 cutting out old1 #dc melted1 #ed securing in frames1 #ai ,coverings1 #fb ,defence1 #dg ,depriving1 #dg ,driving1 #dh1 #fj ,drones1 #de ,dysentery1 #dj ,early breeding1 to promote1 #ci1 #eb1 #ei ,enemies1 #cg1 #ci1 #fc ,entrances1 #g #cg1 #eh1 #fd ,feeding1 #be1 #cg1 #ch1 #db1 #ej1 #fc1 #ff ,feeding-pans1 #bg ,floor-boards1 #ah2 to clean1 #da1 #dc1 #fc ,food1 #cg1 #ff ,frames1 to secure combs in1 #ai ,fumigation1 #bi ,glasses1 putting on1 #ab1 #bb1 #ch1 #dc1 #df1 #ej1 #ed taking off1 #eg covering for1 #dg ,guide-combs1 #dd1 #ea ,haybands1 #da ,hive1 stand for1 #e1 #fa ,hives1 #f1 #ch1 #da1 #ed1 #fh ,amateurs'1 #aj ,bar1 #db ,bees forsaking1 #da ,fenn's1 #aa ,neighbour's ,improved ,cottage1 #h ,neighbour's ,observatory1 #i ,payne's ,improved ,cottage1 #f ,stewarton1 #ac ,taylor's ,amateurs'1 #aj ,tegetmeier's1 #ad ,woodbury's1 #ae of comb1 #bb1 #ci1 #fa putting on small1 #bb1 #df to dress1 #eh transporting1 #eh ,hiving1 #bb ,honey1 time for taking1 #ec1 #ef draining from the combs1 #bi manner of taking1 #bh vinegar1 #ca ,knife for cutting out combs1 #eg ,ligurians1 #cb multiplying swarms of1 #ce to unite1 #cd ,mead1 #cj ,mice1 #cg ,moths1 #de ,northern ,aspect1 #fb1 #fe ,pedestals1 #dj ,pollen1 #dj1 #da1 #dd1 #ej ,queenless ,stocks1 #eb ,queen ,wasps1 to destroy1 #de1 #di1 #eb1 #eh ,robbers1 #eh1 #fb ,shading1 #cg1 #ed1 #eh1 #ei ,snow1 #cg1 #da1 #fc ,sparrows1 #ej ,stands for hives1 #e1 #fa1 #fb ,stings1 remedies for1 #ca ,stocks1 #ci1 #fb1 #ff purchasing1 #cb1 #db to stand the winter1 #fj ,stupifying ,bees1 #bi ,supers1 #ah1 #dg1 #ei1 #fe ,swarming1 #bj1 #ea symptoms of1 #ba ,swarms1 #dh artificial1 #ea early1 #ef premature1 #di returning1 #ec1 #ee second1 #bb uniting1 #bc1 #cd1 #ef ,titmouse1 #cg ,ventilation1 #bd1 #cg1 #dh1 #fe1 #fg ,wasps1 #db1 #ed1 #fc1 #fb ,wasps' nests1 to destroy1 #ec ,water1 #ci1 #dc ,wax1 preparation of1 #ca ,young ,bees1 #da ,printed at the ,horticultural ,press1 #aga1 ,fleet ,street1 ,london4 ,,works ,,published ,,at ,,the ,,journal ,,of ,,horticulture ,,office4 ,,the ,,fruit ,,manual1 containing ,descriptions and ,synonymes of the ,fruits and ,fruit ,trees commonly met with in the ,gardens and ,orchards of ,great ,britain1 with selected ,lists of the ,varieties most worthy of cultivation4 ,by ,robert ,hogg1 ,,ll4,d41 ,f4,l4,s41 ,pomological ,director to the ,royal ,horticultural ,society of ,london4 ,third ,edition4 ,price #es42 post free1 #es4 #d;d4 ,,the ,,fern ,,manual2 being a ,description of all the best ,stove1 ,greenhouse1 and ,hardy ,ferns in ,british ,gardens1 with ,instructions for their ,cultivation and ,treatment1 as well on a large scale as in ,fern ,cases and ,glasses4 ,by ,some of the ,contributors to the ,journal of ,horticulture4 ,price #es42 free by post for #fa stamps2 with nearly #ajj ,illustrations4 ,,the ,,garden ,,manual4 ,ninth ,edition4 #as4 #f;d41 bound in cloth2 post free1 #as4 #h;d4 ,,the ,,orchid ,,manual1 for the ,cultivation of ,stove1 ,greenhouse1 and ,hardy ,orchids4 ,by ,thomas ,appleby4 ,price #bs4 #f;d42 post free1 #bs4 #g-a_/b;d4 ,,the ,,pine ,,apple ,,manual2 being a guide to the ,successful ,cultivation of that ,fruit1 and to the ,construction and ,management of the ,pinery4 ,by ,contributors to the ,journal of ,horticulture4 ,illustrated with ,engravings4 ,price #bs4 #f;d42 post free1 #bs4 #g-a_/b;d4 ,,the ,,vine ,,manual1 or1 ,instructions for the ,cultivation of the ,grape ,vine in the ,stove1 ,vinery1 and ,greenhouse1 also on ,walls and ,trellises in the ,open ,air and in ,pots2 including1 also1 its ,propagation1 ,diseases1 and the ,insect ,enemies with which it is infested4 ,with ,numerous ,illustrations4 ,by ,contributors to the ,journal of ,horticulture4 ,second ,edition4 ,price #bs4 #f;d42 post free1 #bs4 #g-a_/b;d4 ,,out-,,door ,,gardening4 ,second ,edition4 #as4 #f;d41 bound in cloth2 post free1 #as4 #g-a_/b;d4 ,,in-,,door ,,gardening4 ,second ,edition4 #as4 #f;d41 bound in cloth2 post free1 #as4 #g-a_/b;d4 ,,orchard ,,houses1 ,,hints ,,on ,,the ,,construction ,,and ,,management ,,of4 ,by ,j4 ,r4 ,pearson1 the ,nurseries1 ,chilwell1 near ,nottingham4 ,fourth ,edition4 ,in limp cloth1 price #as4 #f;d41 post free1 #as4 #a;d4 ,,spring ,,and ,,winter ,,flower ,,gardening4 ,by ,john ,fleming1 ,gardener to ,her ,grace the ,dowager ,duchess of ,sutherland1 ,cliveden4 ,illustrated with numerous designs1 and a ,picturesque ,view of the ,great ,flower ,garden at ,cliveden1 taken from the ,mansion4 ,price #bs4 #f;d42 post free1 #bs4 #g-a_/b;d4 ,,science ,,of ,,window ,,gardening4 ,by ,w4 ,h4 ,bosanquet1 ,esq4 ,price #f;d42 post free1 #f-a_/b;d4 ,,the ,,modern ,,peach ,,pruner1 treating on the long and close systems of ,pruning the ,peach1 adapted for the open air1 and for all forms of ,orchard-house ,culture4 ,with numerous original ,illustrations4 ,by the ,rev4 ,t4 ,collings ,brehaut1 ,author of ,cordon ,training of ,fruit ,trees1 c41 c42 to which is added1 ,notes on ,variations from ,seed1 ,by ,mr4 ,thomas ,rivers4 ,price #cs4 #f;d42 post free1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,a ,,practical ,,treatise ,,on ,,the ,,culture ,,of ,,the ,,vine1 as well under ,glass as in the ,open ,air4 ,by ,john ,sanders4 ,third ,edition4 ,price #es42 post free1 #es4 #a;d4 ,,vine ,,culture ,,under ,,glass4 ,by ,john ,pearson1 the ,nurseries1 ,chilwell1 near ,nottingham4 ,second ,edition4 ,price #as42 post free1 #as4 #a;d4 ,,the ,,vegetable ,,kingdom ,,and ,,its ,,products2 serving as an ,introduction to the ,natural ,system of ,botany1 and as a ,text ,book of all the ,vegetable ,substances used in the ,arts1 ,manufactures1 ,medicine1 and ,domestic ,economy4 ,arranged according to the ,system of ,de,candolle4 ,illustrated with nearly #bej ,engravings1 and containing an enumeration of #gjj ,genera1 and #djjj ,synonymes1 representing about #ajj1jjj ,species of ,plants4 ,by ,robert ,hogg1 ,,ll4,d41 ,f4,l4,s41 ,author of ,british ,pomology1 ,the ,fruit ,manual1 c41 c4 ,crown #hvo41 cloth1 #ajs42 post free1 #ajs4 #h;d4 ,,science ,,and ,,practice ,,of ,,gardening1 in which are explained and ,illustrated the ,principles that ,regulate all the ,operations of ,horticulture1 including ,demonstrations of the ,phenomena of the ,germination1 ,growth1 ,deseases1 and ,death of ,plants4 ,with numerous ,wood ,engravings4 ,by ,george ,w4 ,johnson1 ,esq41 ,f4,r4,h4,s41 ,co-,editor of ,the ,journal of ,horticulture1 c4 #djj pages1 with #ej ,illustrations1 price #cs42 post free1 #cs4 #c-a_/b;d4 ,,the ,,eatable ,,funguses ,,of ,,great ,,britain4 ,edited by ,robert ,hogg1 ,,ll4,d41 ,f4,l4,s41 and ,george ,w4 ,johnson1 ,f4,r4,h4,s41 ,editors of ,the ,journal of ,horticulture and ,cottage ,gardener1 and ,the ,wild ,flowers of ,great ,britain4 ,illustrated by ,w4 ,g4 ,smith4 ,price #gs4 #f;d42 post free1 #gs4 #h;d4 ,,handbook ,,of ,,british ,,plants1 for ,schools1 ,science ,classes1 and ,excursions4 ,by ,w4 ,lowndes ,notcutt4 ,a ,new ,edition1 revised with ,index1 c41 by ,robert ,hogg1 ,,ll4,d41 ,f4,l4,s4 ,price #cs4 #f;d42 post free1 #cs4 #h;d4 ,,the ,,british ,,ferns1 popularly ,described1 and ,illustrated by ,engravings of every ,species4 ,by ,g4 ,w4 ,johnson1 ,f4,r4,h ,s4 ,fifth ,edition1 with an ,appendix1 #cs4 #f;d42 bound in cloth1 gilt edges2 post free1 #cs4 #i;d4 ,,rambles ,,in ,,search ,,of ,,wild ,,flowers1 and how to ,distinguish ,them4 ,by ,margaret ,plues1 ,author of ,rambles in ,search of ,ferns2 ,rambles in ,search of ,mosses4 ,second ,edition4 ,post #hvo41 with ,eighteen ,coloured ,illustrations4 ,price #fs42 post free1 #fs4 #f;d4 ,,how ,,to ,,farm ,,two ,,acres ,,profitably2 including the ,management of the ,cow and the ,pig4 ,by ,j4 ,robson4 ,second ,edition1 #as42 post free1 #as4 #a;d4 ,,poultry ,,keepers' ,,manual4 ,by ,contributors to the ,poultry ,chronicle4 ,with ,twenty-two ,coloured ,illustrations1 and numerous ,woodcuts4 ,price #es42 post free1 #es4 #c;d4 ,,the ,,pigeon ,,book4 #as4 #f;d41 bound in cloth2 post free1 #as4 #g;d4 ,,the ,,canary ,,and ,,other ,,song ,,birds4 ,price #as4 #f;d41 limp cloth2 post free1 #as4 #g;d4 ,,the ,,ailanthus ,,silkworm ,,and ,,the ,,ailanthus ,,tree4 ,abridged and ,translated from the ,french4 ,by ,lady ,dorothy ,nevill4 ,price #as42 post free1 #as4 #j-a_/b;d4 ,,office3 #aga4 ,,fleet ,,street4 ,,london ,,ec4 ,to be had of all ,bookseller1 and at the ,railway ,stalls4 99 99 99 99 99 ,transcriber ,note ,minor typos corrected4