How neat she spreads her wax;
And labours hard to store it well
With the sweet food she makes.
Some of the hives are constructed chiefly for the purpose of promoting a philosophic observation of the bee's habits and methods of procedure in his wonderful work. "Neighbour's Unicomb Observatory Hive" is a great novelty, being constructed with glass sides, the hidden mysteries of the hive being exposed to the full light of day. "Huber's Book or Leaf Hive" is constructed to facilitate the object of the scientific apiarian. But the class of hives which will most interest those desirous of promoting bee-keeping among the many will be those for the cottage. There can be no doubt that many a poor cottager in the country, if he could be made to see the advantage it would be to him, and were taught the most economical and successful way of managing this species of "live stock," would add thereby something considerable to his small earnings in the course of a summer. Members of Cottage Garden Societies have turned their attention to it very generally; but to get the thing well afloat, requires in every district the devotion of some earnest enthusiast who will take up the apostolic rule of action "This one thing I do." There is the No. 5, "Improved Cottage Hive," in which three bell glasses are employed, enabling you to take a glass of the purest honey from the hive in the most vigorous period of the season. Then there are other hives of simpler construction and less expensive, but all illustrative of the sentiment of humanity which seeks to preserve from wanton destruction those useful and interesting auxiliaries to our luxury and comfort. This comparatively unimportant stand, in point of size, cannot but attract the attention of a large number of visitors, especially of the ladies and the clergy, who are desirous of promoting the cultivation of the bee among the poor. To heighten the interest for the curious, in one of Mr. Woodbury's hives the bees are all alive and at it, and for those who are disposed to go further into the subject, information is available touching this fashionable, profitable, and domesticated member of the Apiarian family, the Ligurian and Italian Alp-bee. Our old dark-coated delver is threatened with supercession, just as the black rat was driven off by the Norwegian invader, now in possession, and as the old races of cattle are being metamorphosed into the sleek, shapely, beef-bearing, small-boned animals of the present time.
From the "Devon Weekly Times" June 8, 1863.
Bees.—Messrs. Neighbour & Sons, of London, are exhibitors of two Woodbury Unicomb Hives, showing the royal and common bees in full work. These hives are very ingeniously constructed, and were invented by Mr. T. Woodbury, of Mount Radford. Among other apiarian attractions, we may mention the improved Cottage and Cottager's Hives, which are well worthy the notice of those for whom they are designed, and the Ladies' Observatory Hive. The Messrs. Neighbour also exhibit Ligurian bees.
From "Woolmer's Exeter Gazette" June 12, 1863.
Improved Bee-Hives.—At a stand near the poultry tents, are exhibited Neighbour's Improved Bee-hives for the taking of honey without the destruction of bees. The hives are stocked with the famous Ligurian bee. The Unicomb Observatory Hive is constructed with glass sides, so that the whole of the movements of the Apiarian colony are visible, including the proceedings of the queen and her court. This and some of the other descriptions of hives manufactured by Messrs. Neighbour are invented by T. W. Woodbury, Esq. They are furnished with moveable bars, after the German fashion. Each bar has a projection along the underside; this ridge being waxed, induces the bees to build parallel combs—thus obviating the necessity for a guide comb. This description of hive is best suited for the Ligurian or Italian Alp-bee. Stocks of this species, now so much in repute, may be obtained of Messrs. Neighbour 149, Regent Street, London.
ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SHOW, NEWCASTLE, 1864.
From the "Northern Daily Express" July 22,—(Published at Newcastle.)