THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



®orvc5pou(lcna\ 



For the American Bee Jourual. 



Glass Honey-Boxes. 



As the glass lione3'-boxes wliich I have 

 been using in my apiary for the past few 

 seasons have given very satisfactory re- 

 sults in obtaining and marketing surplus 

 honey, I have confidence to comply with 

 your request " To give a description of 

 them in the AMERrcAN Bee Journal," 

 trusting that if it be in no other way of 

 any benefit, it may open the field for dis- 

 cussing the merits of the various styles 

 of receptacles used by successful pro- 

 ducers in different parts of the country. 



ISHAM'S HONEY-BOX. 



The tops and bottoms are of any kind 

 of wood desired, soft being generally 

 preferred, as it is easier worked, but hard 

 woods admit of polishing and making as 

 ornamental as may be wished, especially 

 when a variety is wanted for exhibition. 



Dress to proper thickness, say three- 

 sixteenths of an inch, varying with size of 

 box required, and cut entrance slots in 

 bottom piece. 



The metal corner is a seven-sixteenths 

 of an inch strip of tin, bent angular and 

 pronged at each end, bj' cutting away one 

 side, making length from shoulder to 

 shoulder the same as length of glass for 

 height of box with prong long enough to 

 point — pass through woods — bend over 

 and make a square clinch, a« shown on 

 top of box in cut. 



In each corner of wood, at proper dis- 

 tance from edge, make a narrow mortice 

 for prong of tin corner to pass through, 

 and inside from mortice, average thick- 

 ness of glass distance, make an awl-hole, 

 in which to drive a three-eighths ot an 

 inch zinc shoe nail, to hold the glass from 

 falling inwards. 



Having cut the glass to proper size, the 

 box is now readj^ for putting together. 



Through each mortice in the bottom 

 wood pass the prong of tin corner, bend- 

 ing projection down flat on the outside 

 surface; then lay on a bench or table, 

 "with sides fronting you, and it is in po- 

 sition for receiving the glass. 



First, put in the sides, resting them in 

 respective corners of tins which stand 

 flarinir; tiien with right hand put left 

 end glass in place, clasping with thumb 

 and finger of left hand, outside each cor- 

 ner drawing sides to proper position and 

 holding end glass to place; now slip in 

 other end glass, for the present not giving 

 it much alttention. You are now ready 

 for putting on top piece, (to which has 

 been fastened starting comb); by taking 

 it in your right hand and slipping one end 

 on prongs just far enough to hold them 

 together, then reversing position of hands 

 change operations to the other end of box, 

 drawing the corners to place, inserting 

 prongs in mortice the same as at the oiher 

 end of box, and press top squarely down 

 till the ends of nails are even with tops of 

 glass; then take the box in hand and with 

 narrow stick or old flat file inserted in 

 slot, crowd out end glass flush to place, 

 then laj^ the box on bench, press on light, 

 hammer top down tight to glass, when you 

 have but to clinch or bend down the ends 

 of tins, and the box is completed. 



At first trial it may go awkward, and 

 some difficulty be experienced in getting 

 them together, but with practice making 

 honey-boxes will become pleasant pastime 

 for long winter evenings, and you will 

 have boxes ready for use when wanted, 

 however hurrying may be the season or 

 suddenly come the demand. 



It is not necessary to have the glass very- 

 tight, for when the bees seal the cracks it 

 makes them firm and solid. 



For my own use I principally make 

 three sizes, as follows : 



For narrow single comb box woods, 6%x2i4, 



Glass, 5x6, 5x2. 

 " two " " " 6?^x4/2, 



Glass, 5x6, 5x4. 

 " Three " " " 6x6, 



Glass, 5x5 7-12, 5x554. 



At present I am using mostly of the 

 small size, as they sell best in the New 

 York market, also in the cities of Roches- 

 ter and BuiTalo ; and I am satisfied I can 

 get as much honey in them as in boxes of 

 larger capacity. 



The two-comb ones are also a very de- 

 sirable and salable size, when filled aver- 

 aging about 5 H) weight. The .6x6 are the 

 regular Langstroth sized box, holding 

 between 5 and 6 fts when well filled. By 

 using 5x6 glass on the four sides you have 

 a box 63ix63^, holding about TJ^lbs 

 gross, which size some may prefer, but 

 with us is too large to meet with ready 

 sale in our markets. 



In the bottom of the small box, cut 

 lengthwise two narrow slots, the outsides 

 of which come close to the inside edges 

 of glass, giving the bees a chance to build 

 comb close to the bottom, which is very 

 desirable, as thej' can be handled and 

 shipped right side up, with less than 

 ordinary liability to breakage. 



The side glass also through this slot can 



