BEES. 



893 



the fingers. The New Bellows Smoker, made by A. J. King & Co., New York, is one of the 

 largest implements of this kind, consequently will burn a long time. There is no solder 

 about it; consequently no melting or loosening of the joints. The ventilator is self-acting, 

 and so constructed as to prevent all back suction; consequently no fire or ashes can get into 

 the bellows A honey extractor is an implement more essential to the professional bee-keeper 

 than the farmer, and will be necessary only where a 

 large number of colonies of bees is kept. 



There are centrifugal machines for extracting 

 the honey from the comb, which may be done in such 

 a manner as not to injure the latter, which may be 

 returned to the hive for future use, thus saving much 

 time and labor for the bees in comb-making. 



A foundation mill or press for making founda. 

 tion comb is kept for use by some extensive apiarists, 

 but these are somewhat expensive, and the foundation 

 purchase of the comb itself will cost but little more 

 than the value of the wax. 



EXCELSIOR HONEY EXTRACTOR. 



KING S HONEY EXTRACTOR. 



Hives. The old-fashioned close box hive has long been discarded by the most success 

 ful bee-keepers, and the more commodious and improved hives have taken its place, while the 

 match and the brimstone are becoming only a relict of discarded and barbarous practices. 

 It is interesting to note the different kinds of hives used by certain nations. In Cyprus 

 hives are made of mud in the shape of a cone, the inhabitants having no improved inventions. 

 In Palestine bees are frequently kept in a water jug, the bees going in and out of the neck. 

 In Jerusalem the traveler frequently -sees hives made in the form of a conical bullet. In 

 Lebanon and Mount Hermon the y are made about three feet long and plastered with clay. 

 In Damascus and on the desert they are made of clay (unburnt) in the form of a cylinder. 



A hive is the home of the bee, and certain essentials are requisite to render it suited to 

 the best results from the colony that inhabits it, which consist of its adaptation to the storage 

 of honey, and the health and comfort of the colony. It should be so arranged that it may 

 be suitably ventilated, and yet kept at a proper temperature. It must be clean, or no bee will 

 inhabit it; it must also be properly adapted to a changeable climate, and made to be comforta 

 ble in a climate where the winters are severe, or the bees will be liable to freeze. The hives 

 should contain movable frames, and should be closely jointed and carefully put together. 



The hive should also afford every facility for constructing the combs and rearing the 

 young broods, and admit of every part of the combs being occasionally inspected, and of their 

 being removed when necessary. Especially should the home of the bees afford protection 

 against moisture and the extremes of heat and cold, as well as sudden vicissitudes of 

 temperature, since the latter will prove very injurious to the most hardy and well stocked 

 colony. 



