If, on looking in at the little window, the bee-master sees that the cells are scaled over, the cap of honey may be removed in the mode already described. The cells near the window are the last to be filled, so when they are sealed, it is safe to conclude that the combs in the unseen parts are also finished.
Sometimes the queen ascends and deposits her eggs; if, on turning up the super, brood be visible, replace the cap for a few days, until the young bees quit their cells. When thus emptied, honey will be deposited in lieu of the brood.
Suitable pedestals for these hives to stand upon may be obtained. It is important that these be firmly fixed, and the hive also made fast to the stand, to prevent its being blown over by high winds.
BAR AND FRAME HIVES.
Mr. Woodbury's Bar and Frame Hive, as originally made, consists of a wooden box 14½ inches square inside, 9 inches deep. This is a hive of large size, but the actual habitable space inside is lessened by the room occupied by the frames, of which there are ten; these rest on a rabbet a little below the surface, leaving a space of ⅜ of an inch between the upper side of the bars and the crown board. This allows a free passage on the top for the bees, entirely obviating the necessity of making excavations in the crown board, as has hitherto been recommended. Each frame is ⅞ of an inch wide, and rests in notches, with a space of ½ an inch between each. The frames extend to within ⅜ of an inch of the floorboard, so as to hang without touching any part, leaving about the same distance from the sides. It will be seen that there is a free passage for the bees on every side, and they are thus kept from coming in contact with the sides of the hive. Our engraving shows the hive open, and exposes to view the top of the ten bars and frames as they range from back to front. A window is also shown; this is placed in the engraving over the entrance, but the proper position would be just opposite. The drawing is made so as to show back and front at once. The floorboard is 1¼ inch thick, having two "keys" on the underside to prevent warping.
STRAW BAR AND FRAME HIVE. No. 45.
Since the introduction of the wood hive by Mr. Woodbury, that gentleman has recommended, in the Journal of Horticulture, that the stock hive be made of straw, of exactly the same dimensions; this material being warmer in winter, slightly ventilating, and allowing of absorption. Bees during cold weather cluster together to generate the requisite degree of heat, the temperature of the interior of the hive being thus so much higher than the external atmosphere, a good deal of moisture condenses at the top and on the sides of the hive; the straw, as before stated, prevents this dampness hanging about the hive, and tends to keep the inmates more healthy. Dampness in a hive is a fruitful source of mischief, causing empty combs to grow mouldy, and is injurious in many ways.
The square straw hives, and a machine for making them, exhibited in the Austrian department of the International Exhibition of 1862, suggested the idea of employing that material for English bar and frame hives. We have had made a machine somewhat similar to the one exhibited and suited to the size of our hives, by which our hive maker is able to manufacture neat square straw hives. These have a wood frame at top an inch deep, with the requisite notches to allow the ten comb frames to hang. A similar frame forms the base, the straw being worked between. The floorboard is 1¼ inch thick, "keyed" with stout keys as before mentioned. An inch projection is left on all sides beyond the exterior of the hive, from which it is slightly chamfered down. An entrance 4 inches wide is cut out of the substance of the board, beginning at the edge, and continuing on the same level until inside the hive, where it slopes upwards. This entrance is about ⅜ of an inch high where the hive crosses it.