CHAPTER III.
Materials of which Hives should be made, and the Improved Cottage Hive described.
Muchhas been said with respect to the materials of which Hives should be made, and experience has long determined, that straw and wood are the best. Mr. Huish, to whom I am indebted for some useful information in Apiarian science, says, "Of all the materials which have been selected for the formation of a Hive, I conceive no one to be more eligible than straw." Gelieu, to whose experience as an Apiarian I am disposed to pay the greatest respect, and whose work containing Practical Directions for the Managementand Preservation of Hives,[2]I would recommend to every keeper of Bees, says, (when speaking of wood and straw as materials proper for Hives) "experience has shown me, that it is a matter of indifference which are employed; except as to price, according as either material may be more or less abundant in different parts of the country." I have for seventeen years possessed a Nutt's hive, which is made of wood, (and which I shall have occasion hereafter to mention,) without being able to discover any difference in the health and activity of the Bees; but the facility and economy in the construction of straw hives, must always be a recommendation, as it is in every article connected with rural economy.
[2]The 'Bee Preserver,' by Jonas De Gelieu, recently translated from the French.
[2]The 'Bee Preserver,' by Jonas De Gelieu, recently translated from the French.
It has been always my practice to paint my Hives, both wood and straw, at least once in the year, and I would strongly recommend all persons to do the same. April I think is the best time,and if done after six o'clock in the evening, not the least inconvenience will arise either to the painter or to the Bees.
Having decided upon the materials of which Hives should be made, their form is next to be considered; for a straw hive, I would recommend the following size, nine inches deep and twelve in diameter, straight at the sides and flat at the top,[3]in shape like a half bushel measure, a hole should be made in the top of four inches, and a piece of straw large enough to cover it must be fastened on with skewers, (seefig. 3, plate 1.) notto fit in but to coverover, the diameter of the piece of straw being at least two inches more than that of the opening at the top of the hive, it will be much easier taken off, and the combs of swarms of a few weeks standing will not be injured by its removal, which in favourable seasons should always have a glass, or small hive put upon them, the early ones especially; an entrance of two inches by one, must be cut in the bottom of the hive, to which I affix a piece of copper of about six inches by three, having a grove, to admit two sliding copper plates, one perforated, and the other having a hole large enough to allow but one Bee to come out at a time, (seefig. 10, plate 2.)[4]I have found great advantage arising from this little apparatus.
[3]The Quarterly Review, of December, 1842, page 25, when speaking of my hive, says, "the only fault, seems to be its flat top." Now the advantages of a flat top are in my opinion very great; first, the ease with which the Bees attach their combs to it, when compared to a dome top; secondly, the facility given to, cutting out the combs, whenever that operation becomes necessary, and, thirdly, the convenience which it offers for placing glasses or boxes upon it. And I am not aware of but one inconvenience, which can possibly arise from it, which is the sinking of the top, from the heavy weight of the glasses, or boxes of honey, which year by year it affords, but this, however, is entirely obviated by the use of the adapter, (fig. 7.) as recommended,chap. iv., page 21.
[3]The Quarterly Review, of December, 1842, page 25, when speaking of my hive, says, "the only fault, seems to be its flat top." Now the advantages of a flat top are in my opinion very great; first, the ease with which the Bees attach their combs to it, when compared to a dome top; secondly, the facility given to, cutting out the combs, whenever that operation becomes necessary, and, thirdly, the convenience which it offers for placing glasses or boxes upon it. And I am not aware of but one inconvenience, which can possibly arise from it, which is the sinking of the top, from the heavy weight of the glasses, or boxes of honey, which year by year it affords, but this, however, is entirely obviated by the use of the adapter, (fig. 7.) as recommended,chap. iv., page 21.
[4]Instead of two sliding plates, I would recommend one only as given by Mr. Taylor, in his "Bee-Keeper's Manual," lately published, for as they cannot both be used at the same time, the one out of use is frequently misplaced. Zinc answers the purpose equally with copper, and is but half its price.
[4]Instead of two sliding plates, I would recommend one only as given by Mr. Taylor, in his "Bee-Keeper's Manual," lately published, for as they cannot both be used at the same time, the one out of use is frequently misplaced. Zinc answers the purpose equally with copper, and is but half its price.
The finely perforated slider is used to confine the Bees to their hive when snow lies upon the ground, the reflection of which, when the sun shines upon it, never fails to induce them to leave their hives, and falling upon it they perish, for a Bee becomes torpid at a temperature of 32°. The slider with one hole only, is useful both in Spring and Autumn, preventing either robbers or wasps from entering the hives, for three or four Bees will, with the help of this slider, guard the entrance more effectually than ten times the number without it.
Although I have recommended Bees to be confinedin their hives so long as snow remains upon the ground, it would, however, be very prejudicial to them if carried on beyond that time, for I never saw Bees healthy and strong after being shut up through the winter.
Gelieu, says, "Bees have no real disease, dysentery, about which so much noise has been made, and for which so many remedies have been prescribed, never attacks the Bees of a well-stocked hive, that is left open at all seasons, but those only that are too long and too closely confined. They are always in good health as long as they are at liberty, when they are warm enough and have plenty of food. All their pretended diseases are the result of cold, hunger, or the infection produced by a too close and long confinement during winter."