Manual of the apiary

by Albert John Cook

THE HUBER HIVE.

The other type of hives originated when Huber hinged several of his leaf or unicomb hives together, so that the frames would open like the leaves of a book; though it has been stated that the Grecians had, in early times, something similar.

In 1866, Mr. T. F. Bingham, then of New York, improved upon the Huber hive, securing a patent on his triangular frame hive. This, so far as I can judge, was the Huber hive made practical.

In 1868, Mr. M. S. Snow, then of New York, now of Minnesota, procured a patent on his hive, which was essentially the same as the hives now known as the Quinby and Bingham hives.

Soon after, the late Mr. Quinby brought forth his hive, which is essentially the same as the above, only differing in details. No patent was obtained by Mr. Quinby, whose great heart and boundless generosity endeared him to all acquaintances. Those who knew him best, never tire of praising the unselfish acts and life of this noble man. If we except Mr. Langstroth, no man has probably done so much to promote the interest and growth of improved apiculture in the United States. His hive, his book, his views of wintering, his introduction of the bellows-smoker—a gift to apiarists—all speak his praise as a man and an apiarist.

The fact that the Bingham hive, as now made, is a great favorite with those who have used it, and is pronounced by so capable a judge as Mr. Heddon, to be the best movable-comb hive in existence, that Mr. Quinby preferred this style or type of hive, that the Quinby form is used by the Hetherington brothers. Captain J. E., the prince of American apiarists, and O. J., whose neatness, precision, and mechanical skill are enough to awaken envy; that the Russell hive is but a modification of the same type, are surely enough to awaken curiosity and bespeak a description.

Fig. 39.

The Quinby hive ([Fig, 39]), as used by the Hetherington brothers, consists of a series of rectangular frames ([Fig, 39]) twelve by seventeen inches, outside measure. The ends of these frames are one and a half inches wide and half an inch thick. The top and bottom one inch wide and half an inch thick. The outer half of the ends projects one-fourth of an inch beyond the top and bottom. This projection is lined with sheet iron, which is inserted in a groove which runs one inch into each end of the end-pieces and are tacked by the same nails that fasten the end-bars to the top and bottom-bars. This iron at the end of the bar bends in at right-angles ([Fig, 39, a, a]), and extends one-fourth of an inch parallel with the top and bottom-bars. Thus, when these frames stand side by side, the ends are close, while half-inch openings extend between the top and bottom-bars of adjacent frames. The bottom-bars, too, are one-fourth of an inch from the bottom-board. Tacked to the bottom-board, in line with the position of the back end-bars of the frames is an inch strip of sheet-iron ([Fig, 39, b, b]) sixteen inches in length. One-third of this strip, from the front edge back, is bent over so it lies not quite in contact with the second third, while the posterior third receives the tacks which hold it to the bottom-board. Now, when in use this iron flange receives the hooks on the corners of the frames, so that the frames are held firmly, and can only be moved back and sidewise. In looking at the bees we can separate the combs at once, at any place. The chamber can be enlarged or diminished simply by adding or withdrawing frames. As the hooks are on all four corners of the frames, the frames can be either end back, or either side up. Boards with the iron hooks close the sides of the brood cavity, while a quilt covers the frames.

The entrance ([Fig, 39, e]) is cut in the bottom-board as already explained, except that the lateral edges are kept parallel. A strip of sheet-iron ([Fig, 39, d]) is tacked across this, on which rest the ends of the front end-bars of the frames which stand above, and underneath which pass the bees as they come to and go from the hive. A box, without bottom and with movable top, covers all, leaving a space from four to six inches above and on all sides between it and the frames. This gives chance to pack with chaff in winter, and for side and top storing in sections or boxes in summer.