The apiary; or, bees, bee-hives, and bee culture [1878] / being a familiar account of the habits of bees, and the most improved methods of management

by Alfred Neighbor

§ XVII. NEIGHBOURS' UNICOMB OBSERVATORY HIVE—OUTDOOR.

The unicomb hive here represented has many advantages over similar hives as previously constructed. The illustration shows the interior divided into six compartments; these are six Woodbury frames. The inner sash opens, to admit of hanging up the frames on the notches prepared for them. The width of the hive between the glasses of the sashes is just sufficient to admit of one thickness of comb, with space on each side for the bees to pass and repass between the glass and the comb. Any one possessing a Woodbury box or straw frame hive can readily commence a unicomb, and as readily put the combs and bees back into the square hive again.

The outside shutters on each side are composed of Venetian blinds, admitting daylight, but obscuring the rays of the sun. There are two iron wheels, the one fixed to the bottom of the hive, the other to a stout board running along its entire length; on these two wheels the whole structure turns. In the centre of the floor-board there is an opening, with a passage-way running underneath, so that the bees' entrance is in no way affected by the position of the hive, which revolves to suit the convenience of visitors inspecting it. Should the queen, with her attendants, not be visible on one side, the other side of the comb can be brought into full view, and examined with the same facility as a picture, or as articles are inspected in a shop window. Thus the sovereign mother, the drones with their aimless movements, and the crowd of ever-busy workers, either building their combs or storing honey, may be always seen, as presenting a veritable tableau vivant.

Another improvement that we have made upon Mr. Woodbury's pattern is that of adapting to admit the frames and this has necessitated an increase in size. The outside dimensions are nearly three feet square and seven inches deep from back to front. Provision is made at top for feeding, and for working two small flat-top glasses for deprivation, which are protected by the weather-board. An alighting-board is placed at the centre, close under the entrance. The hive can, however, be placed indoors, when it must be adjusted to the window-sash like the indoor unicomb in the next section.

In the summer of 1863 we had ample proof of the success of this hive during its exhibition at the annual show of the Bath and West of England Agricultural Society at Exeter. We selected six combs, and packed them in one of the square box Woodbury frame hives, and, on arrival at Exeter, placed them in the unicomb. That being fixed against the boarded side of a shed, we found the covered way a great convenience, and it answered remarkably well; the bees did not seem to be inconvenienced by having to travel through so long a passage. A glass covering admitted a full view of the little labourers as they crowded in, and the sight of them very much enhanced the interest of visitors examining the hive.

Since the time before mentioned we have exhibited bees at the meetings of the Bath and West of England Agricultural Society at Bristol, and of the Royal Agricultural Society at Newcastle in 1864. On both occasions further proof was given that this hive admirably answers the purpose intended, and it afforded pleasure to many thousands of visitors. We also exhibited one of these hives in our collection at the Philadelphia Exhibition of 1876, and in their certificate of award the jurors direct special attention to the unicomb hive with Venetian blinds as allowing the admission of light to the bees whilst the sun's direct rays are excluded.

The unicomb hive may be stocked in two ways. The bee-keeper may either select the comb upon which the queen is found, and put it into the hive, and so form an artificial swarm as directed under that heading ([Chap. V. § vi.]), or he may take six brood combs, and by that means stock the unicomb at once. The former plan is, perhaps, the more advisable, because new comb has to be built within the five frames; for in this case five empty frames must be put in. It is a better plan still if artificial combs are placed in each frame, so as to afford an interesting opportunity of watching the formation of the cells therein. The' combs are sure to be dark in colour when taken from a stock hive, and new combs, being whiter, have a better appearance in the hive. The comb upon which the queen was introduced may be taken away after the artificial swarm has made combs within some of the other five frames; when the queen is on one of the new combs, opportunity may easily be taken for opening the hive and removing the old dark comb, which, with the unhatched brood, may be deposited in any square hive that needs strengthening.

If the possessor of a square Woodbury frame hive wishes to start a strong unicomb colony, and does not object to appropriating the stock, he must take out of the Woodbury hive any six combs on the frames, and put the unicomb in its place so as to receive all the returning bees that happen to be abroad; the remaining combs can be inserted in any other frame hives in which there may be room. We have had this hive in operation, stocked in such manner, and found it to answer remarkably well. On a lawn, placed on a suitable ornamental stand, it formed a pleasing and instructive object.

In unicomb hives there is considerable difficulty in keeping the bees alive through the winter, but where the combs are removable, this can be avoided by the transfer recommended in [Chap. V. § xx]. In some degree to moderate the variations of temperature we have used treble glass with a space between each square; greater warmth is thus obtained, and the view is not intercepted. Opportunity should be taken for cleaning the unicomb hive when empty.