The super is four inches deep and equal in diameter to the stock hive, and is furnished, like it, with false bars, which have slits for inserting those infallible guides, the impressed waxen sheets. These are surmounted with another row of movable bars with the Stewarton slides between as before explained.
The back of the hive has a circular revolving disc of wood of half thickness let into it, in which are three three-quarter inch holes covered with perforated zinc, so that ventilation may be given or not. The alighting-board is made to slide in and out in grooves beneath the floor-board, which arrangement is convenient for transit of the hive to the moors or anywhere else. The entrance is opened or closed by means of sliding shutters, one on each side.
Outside covering from the weather is needed, and this we are also in a position to provide. This is beyond doubt an ingenious useful hive, and how so much labour can be bestowed and yet the hive cost so little is a marvel.
§ XVII. NEIGHBOURS' UNICOMB OBSERVATORY HIVE—OUTDOOR.
The unicomb hive here represented has many advantages over similar hives as previously constructed. The illustration shows the interior divided into six compartments; these are six Woodbury frames. The inner sash opens, to admit of hanging up the frames on the notches prepared for them. The width of the hive between the glasses of the sashes is just sufficient to admit of one thickness of comb, with space on each side for the bees to pass and repass between the glass and the comb. Any one possessing a Woodbury box or straw frame hive can readily commence a unicomb, and as readily put the combs and bees back into the square hive again.
The outside shutters on each side are composed of Venetian blinds, admitting daylight, but obscuring the rays of the sun. There are two iron wheels, the one fixed to the bottom of the hive, the other to a stout board running along its entire length; on these two wheels the whole structure turns. In the centre of the floor-board there is an opening, with a passage-way running underneath, so that the bees' entrance is in no way affected by the position of the hive, which revolves to suit the convenience of visitors inspecting it. Should the queen, with her attendants, not be visible on one side, the other side of the comb can be brought into full view, and examined with the same facility as a picture, or as articles are inspected in a shop window. Thus the sovereign mother, the drones with their aimless movements, and the crowd of ever-busy workers, either building their combs or storing honey, may be always seen, as presenting a veritable tableau vivant.
Another improvement that we have made upon Mr. Woodbury's pattern is that of adapting to admit the frames and this has necessitated an increase in size. The outside dimensions are nearly three feet square and seven inches deep from back to front. Provision is made at top for feeding, and for working two small flat-top glasses for deprivation, which are protected by the weather-board. An alighting-board is placed at the centre, close under the entrance. The hive can, however, be placed indoors, when it must be adjusted to the window-sash like the indoor unicomb in the next section.
In the summer of 1863 we had ample proof of the success of this hive during its exhibition at the annual show of the Bath and West of England Agricultural Society at Exeter. We selected six combs, and packed them in one of the square box Woodbury frame hives, and, on arrival at Exeter, placed them in the unicomb. That being fixed against the boarded side of a shed, we found the covered way a great convenience, and it answered remarkably well; the bees did not seem to be inconvenienced by having to travel through so long a passage. A glass covering admitted a full view of the little labourers as they crowded in, and the sight of them very much enhanced the interest of visitors examining the hive.
Since the time before mentioned we have exhibited bees at the meetings of the Bath and West of England Agricultural Society at Bristol, and of the Royal Agricultural Society at Newcastle in 1864. On both occasions further proof was given that this hive admirably answers the purpose intended, and it afforded pleasure to many thousands of visitors. We also exhibited one of these hives in our collection at the Philadelphia Exhibition of 1876, and in their certificate of award the jurors direct special attention to the unicomb hive with Venetian blinds as allowing the admission of light to the bees whilst the sun's direct rays are excluded.