Fig. 11.
[Fig. 11] is a second small super-board to correspond with the above, excepting that the central hole remains without a flap; for, unless double supers are worked throughout the season, a third flap is unnecessary, and the super 3 inches high or so, and of any diameter one likes coming within the measurement of the board, is of wood, glass, or straw. These are mostly fig-drums cut in halves, or at least to the required depth, having a piece of glass let nearest the board, so as to admit of one's seeing when the Bees have nearly completed their combs, and are ready for another. When the time arrives, when it will be seen by examination that the Bees have nearly completed their honey-combs in the glasses, and are in want of more room; all that one has to do to accommodate them is merely to lift up board and glasses, [fig. 10], slip a board and super and fillet on top in its place, [fig. 11], and set [fig. 10] on the top of it, which will then represent [fig. 13]. The narrow fillet will prevent the board from coming flush down on the top of the newly-inserted super, which has a hole of only about 11/2 inch in diameter in its top; a second small super-board would answer this same purpose—viz., leave a vacuum there for the Bees to ascend to complete the sealing-over of their combs in the glasses, which they will presently do, and till when, of course, the pieces of carpeting and super-over-hive is reinstated.
Payne's straw supers are generally used for the third removes. They cost there about 1s. each of Mr. Major in the Traverse, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk.
| Fig. 12. | Fig. 13. |
[Fig. 12] is the super-over-hive, a foot deep, and about 14 inches inside diameter. Holes are worked in their tops, about 3 inches in diameter, the same as for the Bee hives, to allow the foul air to circulate up and away, or the top may be omitted altogether as is represented in engraving.
THE STEWARTON HIVE.
During the last few years there have been great changes introduced in the form and arrangements of Bee hives, which have met with the highest approval of our best practical apiarians. Of these we shall just notice those which have come in for the greatest share of favour, and which are obtainable at a price which is within the means of persons of ordinary income.
The Stewarton Hive may be said to have revolutionised the whole system of storifying bar hives. It has been in use for many years in Ayrshire, and their introduction to the south is due to the late Mr. Eaglesham, of Stewarton—an enthusiastic and very successful apiarian
These hives consist of boxes of an octagonal shape, three of which are set one upon the other and constitute a hive. The inside measure is 133/4 inches across from side to side, or from back to front. The height of the box, measured inside, is 53/4 inches. The bottom is perfectly open. The top is quite flat, and consists of seven fixed bars, each 11/2 inch wide, placed parallel to each other in the direction from back to front. The spaces between the bars are three-eighths of an inch wide, and are capable of being closed by strips of wood, which slide in grooves made in the sides of the bars, and which can readily be drawn out behind when required. Across the middle of each box, at half its height, is a cross bar serving to support the comb. Windows with sliding shutters are placed in the back and front of each box, and an entrance is cut out of the front, 3 inches in width by half an inch in height, with a slide to close it to any required extent. In addition to the set of three boxes, a shallow honey-box 33/4 inches in depth, and without an entrance in the front, but otherwise made in precisely the same manner, is used as a super. These boxes being used on the storifying system, they are furnished with buttons and hooks for the purpose of securing them together.
The general outline of the management is as follows:—A swarm is hived into two boxes communicating with each other. When these are nearly filled with comb a honey-box is placed above, neatly furnished with guide-combs on the bars. When the Bees are fairly at work in the honey-box, the third body box may be added below to give increased room and prevent swarming. In the winter this third box is removed, and the comb it contains left in, as it possesses a value well known to every skilled Bee-keeper. Feeding when required is liberally pursued, enough being given at once in the autumn to last till spring. The feeding-box, 8 inches square by 11/2 inch deep, is divided by strips of wood into divisions half an inch wide. This is placed on the top of the hive, covered over with a box, and the slides withdrawn to permit the Bees to ascend to the food.