In this work I have purposely left out all notice of a variety of hives as ingenious as they are disliked by bees. Some apiarians have expended all their talent in making tortuous entrances, worrying homes, and elegant residences for the queen and her subjects. They seem to estimate their success by the extent of their departure from simplicity. They merge the useful and convenient in the elegant and complex. But the less the bees are plagued by intricate and arduous arrangements in the interior of their residences, the more comfortable and contented they feel, and the more efficiently they work. It is on this account I have written so favourably of the Ayrshire hive. It is simple in structure, and the parallel openings in the roof of the stock hive introductory to the super are far more liked by the bees than a round central hole, while the facility of removing a super in the honey harvest is perfectly charming. The comb in the super is never or rarely connected with the comb in the stock hive, and, therefore, needs no cutting with zinc plates. A screw-driver gently introduced loosens the propolis, or a table-knife may be employed to cut it all round the lower edge of the super, and the proprietor has only to lift it off and carry it away on a deal board.
I can easily see that had I praised several ingenious contrivances for the residence of bees, I should have provoked fewer charges of ignorance of modern apiculture. I repeat, I have read much on the subject; but my recommendations are not the results of theory or imagination, but of practical knowledge and of careful watching.
The best hop-garden is that which grows the most and best hops; the best mill is that which grinds most corn; and the best hives are those in which is deposited the largest amount of the best honey.
By all means let us have observatory hives for scientific investigations; but what the cottager requires is plenty of produce, with the least tax on his toil and pocket. Hence this work is drawn up, not for scientific apiarians, but for all who wish to enjoy a pleasant and profitable employment.
I must tender my best thanks to Messrs. Neighbour, of Regent-street, London, and to Mr. Pettitt, of Snargate, Dover, for their permission to copy such of their woodcuts as I thought it useful to describe or to suggest amendments on.
I may also add, that in using the name, "The Times Bee-master," I avail myself merely of the title given me by the countless correspondents who did me the honour to write me either directly or indirectly through the editor of The Times.
In reprinting my letters to The Times, I must here notice an alteration I think expedient. I felt it right to reply to a very injudicious and extreme letter which appeared in that paper. I did so playfully, and with kindly feeling. But the correspondent I thus replied to seems to have viewed it as a personal attack. Under the inspiration of very irritated feelings he wrote another letter to the Editor of The Times, which was very properly refused admission. But he was kind enough to send it to several papers, in which he published it, prefacing it in one with controversial remarks so far removed from the courtesies of fair correspondence, that it ceased to be possible to hold any further argument with him. I am really very sorry that a gentleman I never saw, and do not yet know whether he is a clergyman or layman, should have so passionately interpreted remarks made by me in perfect good-humour. I offer him every apology that is due for being misunderstood. In order to avoid any such contingency again, I have omitted his name, and have substituted "Your Correspondent."
I may also add, that when I sent my letters to The Times I had not the remotest idea of composing a book on the subject. Having other and absorbing work to attend to, I have been able to devote spare hours only to a very pleasant work, undertaken at the request of many, and dedicated to the service of all.
