And not only do sticks across the hive cause much unnecessary trouble to the Bees in the construction of their combs, but render their extraction almost impossible; for in this System it becomes necessary, after a Hive has stood seven or eight years, to cut out part of its combs, which by that time will have become very black, very thick and the cells, from the number of Bees hatched in them, (every one leaving a deposit) much contracted. The times best suited for this operation will be March and September; if performed in March, two leaves of comb may be taken, if in September, one only; it is a very simple process, and easily accomplished with the aid of a little tobacco smoke, and a knife ([fig. 6.]) which I will hereafter describe.
Gelieu says, in 1814, "I have several Stocks from twelve to twenty years old that are as prosperous as the young ones, and one stock twenty-five years old."
I cannot say so much as this, but I do not in the least doubt the truth of it; fifteen years is the longest time that I have kept a stock, and the reason of my losing it at the expiration of that period was from the decay of the Hive, it being badly made and not painted; its annual profit was never less than forty, and some years, fifty shillings.
I would recommend every person who keeps Bees, to have a few well painted new hives always by him, that each hive be weighed, and its weight upon a ticket of lead fastened to it, the board also upon which the hive stands should be weighed.
CHAPTER XIII.
Description of a knife for cutting out the combs ([fig. 6.])
This knife, which is so simple in its construction, and so easily used, deserves to be made generally known. Gelieu, to whom Apiarians are much indebted, tells us, that in Switzerland it is commonly used, and that the combs from hives of any shape or materials are extracted without any difficulty. It is formed of a slip of steel (see [fig. 6.]) two feet long, by an eighth of an inch thick, the handle is twenty inches long, by half an inch broad, the turn-down blade of two inches in length is spear pointed, sharp on the edges, and bent so as to form an angle of 90 degrees with the handle; the other blade is two inches long, by one and a half broad, and sharpened all round; the broad blade cuts and separates the combs from the sides of the Hive, and the spear point, which is also sharp on each side, admits, from its direction and narrowness, of being introduced between the combs to loosen them from the top of the hive.
CHAPTER XIV.
Remedies proposed, as cures, for the Stings of Bees.
"The sooner the Sting is extracted," says Dr. Bevan, "the less venom is ejected, and consequently less inflammation induced. To alleviate the irritation, numberless remedies have been proposed, of the most opposite kind and uncertain effect; as oil, vinegar, bruised parsley, burnet, mallow, or the leaves of any succulent vegetable, (renewed as soon as warm, and probably therefore, operating by cold alone) honey, indigo dissolved in water, &c., &c., the most effectual remedy appears to be Aq. Ammon. or Spirits of Hartshorn, nor is this surprising, when we consider that the venom of the Bee is evidently Acid."