[AC]I may here not inappropriately call attention to a subject touched upon by Mr. Golding. His remarks are borne out by my own observation; and I believe it would be for mutual benefit were bee-keepers, resident a few miles apart, occasionally to exchange swarms in the season. I make no apology for introducing a passage from the ‘Shilling Bee-Book.’ “Though I can give no satisfactory reasons for the fact, yet it certainly is one, that bees brought from a distance very generally thrive better than families long domiciled on the spot. I am borne out in this opinion by the concurrent testimony of my apiarian friends. Whether they ply more vigorously on finding themselves in a strange situation, or what can be the reason, I leave others to guess at.” An American author observes on this subject, “I am strongly persuaded that the decay of many stocks may be attributed to the fact that the bees have become enfeebled byclose breeding. The cultivator should guard against this evil by occasionally changing his stocks.”
[AC]I may here not inappropriately call attention to a subject touched upon by Mr. Golding. His remarks are borne out by my own observation; and I believe it would be for mutual benefit were bee-keepers, resident a few miles apart, occasionally to exchange swarms in the season. I make no apology for introducing a passage from the ‘Shilling Bee-Book.’ “Though I can give no satisfactory reasons for the fact, yet it certainly is one, that bees brought from a distance very generally thrive better than families long domiciled on the spot. I am borne out in this opinion by the concurrent testimony of my apiarian friends. Whether they ply more vigorously on finding themselves in a strange situation, or what can be the reason, I leave others to guess at.” An American author observes on this subject, “I am strongly persuaded that the decay of many stocks may be attributed to the fact that the bees have become enfeebled byclose breeding. The cultivator should guard against this evil by occasionally changing his stocks.”
Dividing Bar-Hive.—So far we are supposed to have proceeded in forcing artificial swarms with hives of the usual kind. But an idea has often been suggested of having boxes so made as to be divisible vertically into equal halves; and, in this way, to create the basis of two distinct families without swarming. Such hives are alluded to by various authors, and, amongst them, by Dr. Dunbar and Dr. Bevan; but we have hitherto had no guide as to any intelligible details of construction; and on these depends the possibility of proceeding with advantage. My own views on the subject induced me to think that my eight-bar hive, already described, possessed, with a little modification, the required facilities; and, indeed, I know of no other that could be so adapted. Moreover, as the original dimensions are preserved, the other boxes and all adjuncts remain as detailed atp. 54, so that the hive can be used without reference to the provision made for subdividing it; this being altogether a super-added advantage. The chief novelty is in the stock-box, which, with its cover, is cut from front to back into two equal parts, but so as not to alter the regular interspacing of the bars, four ofwhich will of course appertain to each compartment. In addition to the usual side-windows, there should be a small one at the back of both the half-boxes. The hive-board must also be divided, so as to be lifted up each half independently of the other. Cross bars are appended on the underneath side of the boards, the ends meeting in the centre. A groove is here notched out from the upper side of the extremities of the cross bars, to receive a moveable tongue, as it may be called, of half-inch wood and an inch wide, inserted from behind, and passing through to the front. The tongue connects the half-boards together on one level, and forms a joint below. The entrance for the bees is in the centre,—half being cut out of each board; though, probably, some persons might prefer to have, instead, a smaller one at the two outer extremities. In order to stiffen and serve as a stay or tie at thedivided ends, I have found the utility of a piece of very strong tinned wire, crossing each half-box, horizontally. All that is needed is to cut the wire into the requisite lengths, turn the ends at a right angle, and drive them flush into the wood; where, as they fall within the space between the two central bars, they are not at all in the way. A reference to the illustration will be found sufficiently explanatory, the two half-boxes being shown a little separated. When placed together, to form one hive, they are held in position by means of the centre-board, covering the whole top, and secured at the four corners by means of iron pins going down through the centre-board and the projecting edge of the crown-board of the boxes. On the occasion of hiving a swarm, for the purpose of stocking the dividing-hive, a cord or strap must be passed round the whole, and guide-combs should be used; for successful subsequent separation of the two halves depends altogether upon the regular working of the combs in straight lines upon the bars.
It will naturally occur, that to carry out the design of aDividing Hiveevery part must have its duplicate, so that four halves, boards, &c., are necessary; each made so precisely alike as to fit and be attached to any other half-box. We must suppose the time of year to be arrived (usually in May) when the combs are well filled with brood, both of worker and drone bees. In the middle,or, as some would prefer, the evening, of a fine day, the two halves of the hive can be separated. To effect this with as little disturbance as possible, twodividersmay be used. These are made of strong, well-flattened sheet zinc or tin, the full size of the box, in length; and deep enough to include the hive-board, besides an inch at the top edge to spare. This latter part should be turned back, as a rim or flanch, at a right angle, as seen in the illustration. Commence by withdrawing the wooden tongue underneath the hive-board, and removing the centre-board; then, with a thin knife-blade, the half-boxes can be loosened at their point of junction; not allowing the knife to enter beyond the thickness of the wood. This done, gently insert one of the dividing plates horizontally from behind, its whole length; there being no obstruction, unless the combs are worked across the bars. The other divider is to be pushed in in a similar way, the flanches resting respectively right and left on the upper edge of each half-box. The latter may then be moved apart on their boards in safety. An empty half-box is to be adjusted to each of the full halves, when the dividers may be withdrawn. We have thus two families, which must be moved some distance apart. The Queen will, of course, be in one of them; and, probably, Queen larvæ in the other, or in both halves. A little tapping will serve to show the position of the Queen, asthe bees will soon become quiet where she is, whilst in the queenless box confusion will continue to prevail. The latter should then be put on the original stand, to receive the foraging bees as they return home; whilst the presence of the old Queen will secure a sufficiency in the other hive, which may be placed at a little distance. In about twenty-four hours, preparation will have commenced for founding one or more royal cells, if required, in the queenless half-hive; and thus a new colony will arise, without swarming.[AD]
[AD]The dividing hive, and some other inventions described in the ‘Bee-keeper’s Manual,’ may be seen at Messrs. Neighbour and Sons, 127, High Holborn, and 149, Regent Street, London.
[AD]The dividing hive, and some other inventions described in the ‘Bee-keeper’s Manual,’ may be seen at Messrs. Neighbour and Sons, 127, High Holborn, and 149, Regent Street, London.
BEE-PROTECTOR.
It ought to be remarked that, in general, all important operations on bees should be conducted in the middle of the day, that being the time when it is least annoying to them, and the safest to the operator, as a large portion are then engaged abroad. Indeed, the bees are always more suspicious and irascible by night. On their homeward way they are not disposed to attack, any more than they are when at work in the fields. The defence ofhomeis their actuating principle; and the danger arises from the bees furiously darting out on any supposed enemy,from within the hive. Make as little bustle and disturbance as possible, and have at hand an assistant and whatever is likely to be wanted, for a very trifling matter will often mar an operation irretrievably. Let all things be done coolly and quietly, and without hurried motions of any kind, which cause suspicion and irritation. Avoid breathing on the bees; and, above all, be careful to kill none, for the smell of the wounded body exasperates them exceedingly: in short, the aim should be to do what is needed without the bees being conscious of it. Another precaution may be mentioned, which is, in operating, not to employ any one known to be obnoxious to bees; for without going the length of saying with some that certain individuals are recognised by them, it is well known that, from their nice discriminationof scent, the persons of others are objects of constant and very marked dislike.
Security from attack, however, is essential to self-possession, and I know of no covering so effectual as an envelope I devised of a kind of light net, or gauze, sometimes calledleno. It should be so made at the top as to go over a hat or cap; with sleeves, tied at the wrists, and strings at the bottom to draw and fasten round the waist. The sleeves may be made of some stronger material. (See preceding page.) The entire upper part of the person is in this way enveloped, as seen in our engraving annexed. The projection of the hat keeps the dress clear of the face, and it is sufficiently transparent. A thick pair of gloves, which some think are best made of buck-skin, is all that is further necessary to complete protection.
REMEDY FOR THE STING OF A BEE.
If attacked by a bee, the best plan is not to offer resistance, but to walk away and thrustyour head into a neighbouring shrub or bush, when the enemy will in all probability retire. However, an accidental sting may now and then be received, for which various remedies have been prescribed. In the first place, the sting should at once be removed, but without rubbing the part. My own experience leads me to recommend, in preference to anything else, the immediate application ofliquor potassæto the spot, as a powerful alkali, to neutralize the poison of the sting, which is an acid. It should be used in small quantity, on a point of some kind, as a needle, introduced into the wound. In the absence of this,pure liquid ammoniais said on good authority to succeed, if properly applied. Keep it in a close-stopped, small-necked bottle, which should be turned bottom upwards, and held very tight over the part. Some persons have found relief from an immediate application of cold water. Indeed, any remedy to be efficacious must be speedily resorted to; and particularly in the warm months, for then the poison is much more active than in winter.
CONCLUSION.
In the foregoing pages I have given an outline of my own experience in the general management of bees, freely availing myself of such further information, derived from the most trustworthy sources, as seemed most likely to interest and instruct the reader. My aim, however, has been restricted primarily to matters of apracticalbearing, passing over the obsolete speculations of by-gone periods, and relying on the superior intelligence of a later day. Those who wish to enter more fully into the natural history and physiology of the bee may consult a variety of works, at the head of which it is usual to place that of Huber; followed by the later comprehensive and highly satisfactory one, ‘The Honey Bee,’ of the late Dr. Bevan; both publications to which we have often had occasion to refer. That portion of the subject relating to the structure and arrangement of their combs and cells is treated of at considerable length by Lord Brougham, in his ‘Dissertations on Subjects of Science connected with Natural Theology.’ Perhaps the accurate observations and elaborate mathematical demonstrations of the noble author have left little moreto be desired in the particular department to which he has devoted the energies of his powerful mind. With his summary of the progress of apiarian knowledge, we may not inappropriately close the 'Bee-keeper’s Manual.'
“The attention,” says Lord Brougham,[AE]"which has been paid at various times to the structure and habits of the bee is one of the most remarkable circumstances in the history of science. The ancients studied it with unusual minuteness, although being, generally speaking, indifferent observers of fact, they made but little progress in discovering the singular economy of this insect. Of the observations of Aristomachus, who spent sixty years, it is said, in studying the subject, we know nothing; nor of those which were made by Philissus, who passed his life in the woods, for the purpose of examining this insect’s habits; but Pliny informs us that both of them wrote works upon it. Aristotle’s three chapters on bees and wasps[AF]contain little more than the ordinary observations, mixed up with an unusual portion of vulgar and even gross errors. How much he attended to the subject is, however, manifest from the extent of the first of these chapters, which is of great length. Some mathematical writers, particularly Pappus, studied the form of the cells, and established one or twoof the fundamental propositions respecting the economy of labour and wax resulting from the plan of the structure. The application of modern naturalists to the inquiry is to be dated from the beginning of the eighteenth century, when Maraldi examined it with his accustomed care; and Reaumur afterwards, as we have seen, carried his investigations much farther. The interest of the subject seemed to increase with the progress made in their inquiries; and about the year 1765 a society was formed at Little Bautzen in Upper Lusatia, whose sole object was the study of bees. It was formed under the patronage of the Elector of Saxony. The celebrated Schirach was one of its original members; and soon after its establishment he made his famous discovery of the power which the bees have to supply the loss of their Queen, by forming a large cell out of three common ones, and feeding the grub of a worker upon royal jelly; a discovery so startling to naturalists, that Bonnet, in 1769, earnestly urged the society not to lower its credit by countenancing such a wild error, which he regarded as repugnant to all we know of the habits of insects; admitting, however, that he should not be so incredulous of any observations tending to prove the propagation of the race of the Queen-bee, without any co-operation of a male,[AG]a notionsince shown by Huber to be wholly chimerical. In 1771 a second institution, with the same limited object, was founded at Lauter, under the Elector Palantine’s patronage, and of this Riem, scarcely less known in this branch of science than Schirach, was a member.
[AE]Vol. i, pp. 333-36.
[AE]Vol. i, pp. 333-36.
[AF]Hist. An., lib. ix, cap. 40, 41, 42.
[AF]Hist. An., lib. ix, cap. 40, 41, 42.
[AG]Œuvres, x, 100, 104.
[AG]Œuvres, x, 100, 104.
“The greatest progress, however, was afterwards made by Huber, whose discoveries, especially of the Queen-bee’s mode of impregnation, the slaughter of the drones or males, and the mode of working, have justly gained him a very high place among naturalists. Nor are his discoveries of the secretion of wax from saccharine matter, the nature of propolis, and the preparation of wax, for building, to be reckoned less important. To these truths the way had been led by John Hunter, whose vigorous and original genius never was directed to the cultivation of any subject without reaping a harvest of discovery.”
In conclusion, whatever may be the degree of ignorance or doubt in which on certain points respecting the Honey-bee we are still involved (and these are probably not often practically important), there are few but may receive instruction and example from these wonderful little creatures, in the duties of persevering industry, prudence, economy, and peaceful subordination; whilst all may be taught, by their perfect organization and faultless adaptation of means to an end, a lessonof humility; and, finally, by the contemplation of their beautiful works, "to look from Nature up toNature’s God."
INDEX
Adapter,31.After-swarms,186,188,190,195.Ancient bee observers,213.Apiarian authors,212.societies,214.Apiary, management in summer,106.autumn,124.winter,157.spring,166.Apiary, plan of,94,95.position and aspect,97.repairs of,170.size of,103.to commence,106,152,166.Apis Ligustica,1.Mellifica,1.Artificial food,172.swarming,199,204,206.Aspect,97.Authors on Bees,212.Autumnal management,124.feeding,132.unions,140.Bar hive,54,advantages of,55,69,195.dividing,204.double,66.glass or observatory,72.single,66.straw,73.wooden box,54.Bar system,54.Bars, size of,57,58.Bee, Queen, or mother,3,4,170,181,184,186,190,214.common or working,3,11.drone or male,3,15,16,180.authors,212.boxes, size of,52.duration of life,14,151.eggs,6,10,12,16.flowers,102.food,137,172.ligurian,1.pasturage, and number of hives,101,156.protector,208.sex of,12,17.sheds and houses,94.sting,4,12,210.Bees, confinement of,148,158.destruction of,28,149.driving of,152,201.enemies of,116,175.fighting,131.flight of,103.fortification of,117.fuming of,140.humming of,177.increase of,10.longevity of,14,150.number of,11.removal of,100,107,167,198.to hive,196.to unite,140,192.various occupations of,13.weather-wise,178.working,11.Bell-glasses,120.Blocks,43,44,96,160.Box hive,51.Brood,12,126,151,168.Cells, common,13,111.drone,15,112.royal,4,180,182,187,195,200,201,208.Cement,38.Circular wooden hives,75.Cleaning or changing hive-boards,165,167.Cocoons,12.Collateral system,24,78.hive, White’s,81.Nutt’s,82.Colony of bees,106,152.Comb-knives,130.pruning,147,167,189.Combs,5,29,109,147.and wax,109.and cells, construction of,109.Common, or working bees,3,11.straw hives,27.Condensing trough,161.Confinement of bees,148,158.Covers to hives,37.Crown-boards,35.Damp,157.Deprivation,23,125,148.Depriving hives,30,51.system,21,23.Destroying of bees,28,149.Directions on swarming,196.Disease,159.Dividers,36.Dividing bar-hive,204.Doubling-board,78.Driving,152,201.Drone, or male bee,3,15,180,181,183.cells,16,112.Drones, destroying of,18,19.expulsion of,18.number of,20.office of,17.Duplet,24.Dysentery,159.Eggs,8,9,10,16,151.Eke,25,122.Enemies of bees,116,175.Evaporation,161.Farina, or pollen,113,168.substitute for,169.Feeding in autumn,132,137.in spring,170.swarms,108,199.Feeding troughs,133.Flight of bees,103.Floor- or hive-boards,42.to clean or change,165,167.Food, artificial,172.Fortification,117.Frame-bar,58.Fumigation,140,146.Fuming bees,140,148.material,143.tube,142.Fungus,143.Gauge,57,74,76.General directions in operations on bees,209.on swarming,196.Glasses,120.to remove,128.Glass or light-hive,72.Guide-combs,69,120,206.Hive, bar,54.dividing,204.double,66.observatory,72.single,66.straw,73.wooden,54.boards,42.circular wooden,75.common straw,27.covers,37.nadir,25,87.nether,91.Hive, Nutt’s collateral,82.protector,41.range,49.shade,39.stands or pedestals,46.White’s collateral,81.Hives, collateral,81.number of,101.shape of,28.size of,29,31.super,24,119,176.wooden box,51.Hiving,196.Honey,113,128,175,178.comb,5,109.dew,113.harvest,128,149.season,178.store of,132,138.to strain,129.virgin,124.Hornets,116.Humming,177.Imago,13.Impregnation,17,19.Increase of bees,10.Italian bee,1.Journal,106.Knives,71,130.Larvæ,12.Light in hives,53,72.or observatory hive,72.Ligurian bee,1.Longevity of bees,14,150.Maiden swarms,196.Male bee,3,15,180,181,183.Management in summer,106.autumn,124.winter,157.spring,166.Moisture in hives,161.Moths, wasps, hornets, and other enemies,116.Moving of bees,100,106,166,203.Nadir,25,62,87,119,122.drawer,89.Nadir-hive,87.Nadiring,25,87,89,119,122.Nether-hive,91.Number of hives,101.Nutt’s collateral hive,82.Nymph, or Pupa,12.Observatory, or light hive,72.Odour of bees,194.Office of drones,17.Painting,37,54.Pasturage,101,156.Pattern gauge,57,74,76.Pedestals, or stands for hives,46.Piping,186.Pollen, or farina,113,168.substitute for,169.Population,107,139,150.Position and aspect,97,158.Prevention of after-swarms,195.Princesses,6,185,186,192.Propolis,112.Protectors,208.Pruning combs,147,167,189.Queen, or mother bee,3,4,170,181,183,184,190.cells,4,5,180,182,185,187,195,201,208.Queens, combats of,186,190.duration of life,6.fertility of,10.impregnation of,17.piping of,186.Queens, reared artificially,7,208,214.unfruitful,170.Range for Lives,49.Remedy for the sting of a bee,210.Removal of bees,106,167,203.Removal of a box or super-hive,125.Removing of swarms,106,198,203.Returning of swarms,183,186.Robber bees,127,131.Robbers,134,175.Royal cells, or cradles,4,5,176,180,186,195,200.Screen in winter,159.Sex,12.Shade,115,178.Single hiving,21.Snow, to clear,158.Song of the bees,109.Spring feeding,170.flowers,102,169.management,166.Stands for hives,46.Sting,4,12,210.Stocks,152,166.to strengthen,194.Store of honey,128,132,137.Storifying,24.Straw bar-hive,73.common hives,27,28.depriving hives,30.Straw hives, painting of,37.Strength of a colony,107,192.Stupefying bees,140,143.Suffocation,28,149.Summary of apiarian knowledge,213.Summer management,106.Super-hiving,119.Supers,24,31,34,119,125,176.to remove,125,128.Swarming,21,180,182,191,196.artificial,199.Swarms,180,186.maiden,196.removing of,106,198,203.to feed,108,199.to return,183,184,189,195.to strengthen,107,198.to unite,192.weight of,183.Tanging bees, on swarming,196.Temperature,13,83,119,122,139,151,158,168,170,177,182.Temperature and weather,177.Thermometer,83,163,182.Titmouse,117,160.Top-feeding,133,170.Transferring bees,140.Triplets,24,32,122.Triplets and Nadirs,122.Trough, feeding,133.Tube for fuming,142.Uniting bees,107,140,192.Uniting swarms,107,189,192.Ventilation,83,119,121,161,177.Ventilators,85.Virgin honey,124.Wasps, &c.,116,117,175.Water,115,169,178.Wax and combs,109.Wax moth,116.White’s collateral hive,81.Winter management,157.position,158.screens,159.store,132,138.Wooden bar-boxes,54.circular hives,75.hives,51.Worker cells,13,111.