A cheaper form of this hive is here represented, of precisely the same size and construction, with the exception that it has no windows or thermometer. The apiarian with this hive will therefore have to trust more to his own judgment as regards the likelihood of swarming, and must watch the appearance the bees present at the entrance. When it is time to put on supers in order to prevent swarming, premonition will be given by the unusual numbers crowding about the entrance, as well as by the heat of the weather, making it evident that more room is required for the increasing population. At Michaelmas the directions as to weighing must be attended to (see [Chap. V. § xviii.]).
§ VI. THE LADIES' OBSERVATORY HIVE.
The following illustration shows the construction of this hive. The stock hive is of stout glass, and cylindrical, with a flat top and a hole in the centre; it is thirteen inches in inside diameter and eight inches and a half deep. A support, composed of even wooden bars fixed on a pedestal from the floor-board, is very useful for the bees to cling to and secure their combs, instead of resting wholly against the glass.
The floor-board is of mahogany, the border being French-polished. A middle-sized bell glass, for deprivation, is placed over the hole; this hole may be closed by a zinc slide. A cover of straw, eighteen inches deep and fifteen inches wide, with a zinc ventilating top similar to that affixed to the cottage hive, completes the arrangements. The weight of the stock hive and board is about sixteen pounds. In the figure the cover is shown lifted to display the interior. In a thoroughly warm room it may be kept entirely off.
This hive is well adapted for those persons who are desirous of having the opportunity of making a closer examination of the workmanship of these industrious and interesting insects, as the whole of the interior may be exposed to view; it is particularly suitable for a window or an indoor apiary, and will also be found a valuable addition to the greenhouse. Under these circumstances the entrance-way should be covered with a flat piece of glass, and an aperture cut in the sash corresponding with the entrance to the hive; through the glazed passage the bees may then find egress and ingress without being able to gain access to the apartment. An alighting-board, four inches wide, must be fixed outside on a level with the entrance.
We had a hive of this kind in operation at the Great Exhibitions of 1851 and 1862, fixed after the manner above described. It answered admirably, and excited much interest and curiosity, though placed there under many disadvantages.
When a hive of this kind is to be stocked, proceed in the main as with ordinary transfers ([Chap. V. § ii.]), but place the floor-board and support of the hive in the middle of the sheet or swarming-board, and precipitate the bees as much as possible on to the support; cover them with the glass, propping it up with bricks or other rests sufficiently high to prevent the bees being squeezed. They will collect under the bars and on the pedestal, and in about one hour's time the whole will have settled quietly, and all the stragglers on the board will have collected together, the swarm hanging pear-shaped from the bar support; the bricks can now be removed, and the glass put in its right place on the floor-board. The straw cover can now be set down over all, and the hive can be removed to the place it is destined permanently to occupy.
The light should not be admitted for some days after hiving; if undisturbed, the bees will speedily build comb, working from the wooden bars, which are placed there for their assistance and support. In ten days or a fortnight, if the weather continue fine and warm, they will prepare to swarm again; the opening at the top must now be unstopped, and the bell glass put on, guide-comb having been previously fixed. The directions given as to these matters for the preceding hive apply equally to this one.