From the "Northern Daily Express" July 22 (published at Newcastle).
A Model Factory.—Stand 194.—G. Neighbour and Sons, Regent Street, and High Holborn, London. We have heard of model farms and model lodging-houses for the working classes, but it was reserved for the Royal Agricultural Society's Meeting in 1864 to introduce to our notice a model factory, where we may see representatives of the working classes busily engaged in their daily avocations. The stand which we have quoted above may afford fruitful study to such philanthropists as the Earl of Shaftesbury, who make it their benevolent aim to elevate the masses, and the lesson here given from actual life will not be lost upon working men themselves. There are several striking features worthy of notice in the "model factory." We can clearly perceive that it has been established on a principle which is essential to the success of any great concern—namely, the principle of a good understanding amongst the operatives themselves, and between them and the head of the establishment. What strikes us in this model factory is the unity of action which reigns throughout. There is no jostling of rival interests, and no misunderstandings or cross purposes. The operatives in this establishment are so numerous that we question if any one has as yet been able to count their number, and yet all seem to be working in perfect harmony, their joint labour continually leading to one beautiful and sublime result. Another feature specially noticeable in the establishment in question is the principle of subordination. Singular to say, that while the operatives are males[30], the foreman of this model factory is a female; but that circumstance need not shock the sensibilities of our fair friends any more than it ought to offend the prejudices of the sterner sex, inasmuch as the mighty empire of Great Britain is ruled by the gentle hand of a female; and moreover, in the one case as in the other, the presiding genius, amid all her official cares and duties, takes care to preserve the modesty of her sex. She never in the slightest degree obtrudes herself needlessly on public observation, and probably on that very account the respect shown to her by her subjects is the more profound and devoted. There is, however, one particular in which we would take leave to demur to the idea of this factory being in every respect regarded as a "model." We have not been able to discover that there is any particular period of the day in which the operatives are allowed to take refreshments. We, in England, have been accustomed to regard the dinner-hour somewhat in the light of a sacred institution. And if the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society mean to set this up as a model institution, we are of opinion that some explanation on this point is desirable. Indeed, we have not been able to discover that the operatives in this establishment take any refreshment whatever. If they do, it must be "on the sly," vulgarly speaking. There is one peculiarity, however, which must tend to popularize this institution, and which has sensed to make it one of the most attractive objects on the show ground. It is the fashion in all the great factories which abound on the banks of the Tyne and throughout the country generally to act on the principle of exclusiveness to a very great extent, and perhaps wisely so. As you approach the door you see an intimation In legible characters, "No admission except on business." This may be very proper, but it is rather tantalising. In the model factory which we are now describing all the operations are open to inspection. Every action is patent to the eye of the spectator. This has been effected by a skilful contrivance, and it is this contrivance, in fact, which has entitled the inventor to obtain a place in the show ground for his model factory, which he describes by the somewhat ambiguous term "a new implement." But our readers may wish to learn what is the staple manufacture of this wonderful workshop. We reply—"honey." The factory we speak of is nothing more nor less than a bee-hive; or, to quote from the catalogue, "An Unicomb Observatory Bee-hive," with living Italian Alpine bees at full work; it was invented by T. W. Woodbury, of Exeter, and is improved and manufactured by the exhibitors. As implied by its name, this hive has one comb, so that both sides are fully exposed to the light of day, thus allowing of an easy inspection of the queen-bee, surrounded by her retinue.
[30] The reporter was in error as to the sex of the workers.
BEES AND BEE-HIVES AT THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY'S MEETING AT PLYMOUTH.
From the "Journal of Horticulture" August 22, 1865.
Living bees at work are always attractive, not only to bee-keepers, but to the general public. Messrs. Neighbour and Sons' exhibition formed no exception to this general rule, for their stand was at all times densely crowded. The chief object of interest was the Woodbury Unicomb Observatory Hive, in which was a stock of Ligurian bees, with a very fine queen surrounded by her yellow Italian subjects. Messrs. Neighbour also exhibited a square Woodbury glass hive stocked with English bees, in which the position of the bars and frames, with bees and combs, could be very distinctly seen. Both these colonies were brought from Mr. A. Neighbour's apiary, near London. The bees obtained egress and ingress by means of a covered way nearly three feet long, which appeared but little to inconvenience them, whilst, being covered with glass, it added not a little to the interest with which they were observed. In the wall of the shed were small apertures, with alighting-boards fixed on the outside, and although the public passed in crowds before these unprotected entrances, no one was stung, nor were the bees themselves interfered with or molested—a warning notice appended to the outside being universally attended to, and a respectful distance maintained.
Amongst Messrs. Neighbour's collection were the Woodbury Straw Bar-and-Frame, Neighbour's Improved Cottage, the Ladies' Observatory, Cottager's, and many low-priced straw hives on the improved system. The impressed wax sheets, with specimens of combs partially worked therefrom, were interesting and curious. The bottle-feeder, bee-dresses, india-rubber gloves, and other apiarian appliances also received, and were worthy of, much attention.
By way of illustrating the fruits of the honey-harvest of the present year, Messrs. Neighbour had a square super of fine white honeycomb from the apiary of our esteemed correspondent, Mr. Woodbury, and an octagon glass super from our valued contributor, Mr. S. Bevan Fox, both of which admirable specimens were most highly commended.
