30 



BEE 



BEE 



siderable degree, of the colour of 

 (he comb. 



" Eighthly. This method of con- 

 structing bee-hives affords an op- 

 portunity of inspecting them, watch- 

 ing their various movements, and 

 witnessing the progress they make 

 in filling their hives. For this pur- 

 pose the bees must first occupy the 

 bottom box ; and then by lifting up, 

 or removing the top cover,you may 

 througli the hole on the top, see 

 thcnn v/ithout disconcerting them, 

 until they have nearly filled the 

 upper box, unless you breathe up- 

 on them ; in this case they will 

 soon let you know that you are an 

 unwelcome visitor, I have in- 

 spected them in this way, and 

 through glass windows inserted in 

 their hives, for several years past ; 

 and I have beheld with astonish- 

 ment their industry, economy, sin- 

 gular instinct and ingenuity. 



"Ninthly, By accommodating 

 my bees with several apartments, I 

 have it in my power to regulate 

 their swarming. If bees are am- 

 ply accommodated they will not 

 swarm ; but it being an object to 

 make them swarm, 1 therefore in 

 the autumn reduce the number of 

 their boxes, and leave them, gen- 

 erally, but two, which, if well filled 

 will amply supply them with sus- 

 tenance through the winter. 



" 1 do not at first give an early 

 swarm more than two boxes ; for 

 they will often send forth a young 

 colony ; and when they have done 

 this, add another box, or in a short 

 time take from them the one they 

 have filled, and give them one that 

 is empty. Thus, this method of 

 managing bees will contribute to 



increase the number of swarms,and 

 eventually make them more profit- 

 able ; for experience evinces that 

 multiplying the number of swarms 

 makes them more industrious and 

 productive." 



For a description of several sorts 

 of newly invented hives, and the 

 I manner of using them so as to take 

 the honey and wax, without injur- 

 ing the bees, see Farmer's Cyclo- 

 pasdia, Art. Apiary and Bees. 



The following method of taking 

 honey without destroying the bees 

 is recommended in the "American 

 Farmer." 



In the evening, when the bees 

 have retired, take the hive gently 

 from the stand ; spread a table 

 cloth on the ground ; set the hive 

 on it, placing something under to 

 raise it three or four inches ; then 

 draw up the corners of the cloth, 

 and fasten them tight around the 

 middle of the hive, leaving room 

 sufficient between them and the 

 hive. Then raise the lid of the 

 hive a little, and blow in the smoke 

 of a cigar : a few puffs of which, 

 as it is very disagreeable to them, 

 will drive them down. Continue 

 raising the lid gradually, and blow- 

 ing in the smoke all around, and in 

 a few minutes it will be found that 

 they have all gone out of the hive. 

 You may then take off the lid, and 

 cut away as much honey as you 

 think proper. If the operation be 

 performed the beginning of July, 

 you may take nearly all, as there 

 will be time enough to provide a 

 sutliciency for their support during 

 the winter. As soon as you have 

 taken the honey, put on the lid, 

 loosen the cloth, and spread it out 



