TEGETMEIER'S HIVE.
A modification of the Stewarton boxes was proposed by Mr. Tegetmeier, who adopted the square forms instead of the octagonal, and which certainly has this advantage over its prototype, that the moveable bars will fit any place in any box. The Stewarton may be described as consisting of two or more storifying-boxes, each furnished with seven loose bars to which the combs are attached. These are kept in their places by eight slides, which, when in position, render the loose bars perfect fixtures, so that the boxes may be inverted without the bars or slides losing their position. The size of Mr. Tegetmeier's boxes was originally 113/4 inches square inside, and of two sizes in depth—viz., 7 inches and 5 inches, but now he recommends them to be 131/2 inches square inside by 11 inches deep, each containing eight frames.
The plan of working the Stewarton and Tegetmeier boxes is the same. A very strong swarm, or two weak ones, are placed in two boxes, and when these are well filled, as may be seen by looking through the window behind, a honey box or glass is placed over, and communication made by withdrawing the slides.
THE WOODBURY HIVE.
Best, by far the best, of all this form of the bar hive, is that introduced by Mr. Woodbury, who has done so much of late to extend our knowledge of, and acquaintance with, the habits of the Bee.
Fig. 14.
The following is Mr. Woodbury's own description of the hive, as it appeared in the Journal of Horticulture:—
"In compliance with the wishes of numerous correspondents, I have much pleasure in submitting to the readers of the Journal of Horticulture, a description of my frame hives, supers, and outer cases, as at present in use in my apiary.
"Frame Hives are made of inch wood, 141/2 inches square, and 9 inches deep inside, dovetailed and put together with paint, the ends of the dovetails being pinned through with stout iron wire driven from the top and bottom, and meeting in the centre. A window 71/2 inches long by 4 deep affords a slight view of the interior from the back (not the front as engraved), but is much obstructed by the frames. The crown-board which is raised in the engraving, [fig. 14], is keyed to prevent warping, and is secured by four long brass screws passing through the ends of the keys. A two-inch central hole for feeding is the only aperture, and this is closed when not in use by a circular block of one-and-a-quarter-inch wood 5 inches in diameter. A three-eighth rabbet is cut out of the top inner edge at the back and front, and below this are notches seven-eighths wide by three-eighths deep, in which rest the ends of the frames. This arrangement affords the Bees a free passage above the frames as well as below and at their sides. The annexed sketch, [fig. 15], of the interior angle of one of my hives is drawn the full size, and will serve as a guide for the arrangement of the frames, which are ten in number, and are placed at equal distances apart.