Each of the boxes, A, B, C, is furnished with an entrance-way, four inches wide, half an inch high, a wooden slide either wholly or partially closing same, as required. When at work, the bees only need one entrance open, and that at the lowest box. The long slides before mentioned are pushed in to their respective receptacles from the back of the hive, to close the openings between the bars; those of them that are shorter will be seen to belong to the sides of the octagon, and the ends are cut angular to suit the form of the box. A little examination will suffice to show the right allotment of the slides, the appropriation of which may be said somewhat to resemble the putting together of a child's puzzle.
The box B must be left open at the interstices that correspond with the box A, placed above, the little openings being closed by the insertion of the ten sections of slides, thus leaving free communication inside with the upper box A, and admitting of no outlet for the bees, except at the entrance.
When the four boxes are placed above each other, the structure measures twenty-two inches high.
The Scotch carpenters send no floor-board, and no covering or roof for the top to shoot off the rain; they evidently expect that the purchaser is provided with a shed or bee-house of some kind, and also with a floor-board. Should the apiarian, however, not have these necessaries, we can supply the deficiency.
The sides of the boxes are furnished with wooden buttons, which, when turned round, keep each box exactly in its place above the other: there are also projecting irons or screw heads for tying the two boxes A and B together, preparatory to hiving the swarm; or if the boxes stand out exposed, all may be thus secured, to prevent their being blown over by high winds.
Directions for Management.
Take the two boxes A and B, made one by the junction before mentioned, and similarly inside by the free communication afforded. Shake the swarm in as described at [page 28], just as with a common cottage hive.
If the weather be favourable, these two boxes will be nearly filled in ten days. To get the full advantage of the Stewarton hive the first year, put two swarms into two body boxes, A and B; if the two are too small, then add the other box C. Allow the bees to remain there till they have nearly filled the body boxes with comb, which (with this increased number of workers, and in favourable weather) should be from five to ten days. Two swarms are seldom procurable the same day, so as then to be joined together, and even if they were, there is a doubt whether greater progress may not be attained by hiving a swarm a week or so earlier than the other, so as to build comb and raise brood ready for the reception of the new comers.
The second swarm is added best in the evening, after the bees have ceased working. For this purpose spread a sheet on the ground, place two sticks so as to prevent the box being close to the ground, then, with a sudden knock, eject the bees of the second swarm on to the cloth, and place the two body boxes that contain the earlier swarm over the dislodged bees; these will, in the course of an hour or so, ascend and become one family, and one of the queens will be speedily destroyed.
In the meantime, prepare the shallow honey-box D, by fixing small pieces of worker guide-comb, of pure white colour, on the centre of each side bar. If, however, a box of honey with neatly made, straight, and quite regular comb be desired, a piece of this guide-comb must be fixed to the centre of each bar. If guide-comb be unobtainable, strips of the impressed wax sheets or artificial comb (hereafter described) will be found excellent substitutes.[12]