1853. 



NEW ENGLA.ND FARMER. 



289 





PHELPS> BEE-HIVE. 



We have had no experience with this hive, but 

 give the description of the inventor, that those in- 

 terested may judge for themselves. Address E. 

 W. PflELrs, Westfield, Mass. 



Figure 1 is a view of the back of the hive, with 

 the hd or cover raised, and the rear door opened, 

 showing the arrangement of the main boxes, and 

 also the top boxes. Each of the large boxes is 

 constructed with a pane of glass, 7 by 9, for the 

 back side, by which an opportunity is afforded to 

 learn the number and condition of the bees, with 

 the amount of honey and of wax. Each of these 

 boxes communicates with those on either side, as 

 shown by the next figure. 



Figure 2 represents one of the large boxes. The 

 slide, g, closes the communication between the 

 boxes, which consists of a narrow slot a few inches i 

 in length, as seen on the interior, on the right 

 side of the box. This slide turns upon a screw 

 pivot near the bottom of the box. A slot on this 

 side corresponds with that on the box, when fixed 

 in the proper position for opening the communica- 

 tion. 



Figure 3 is one of the small boxes, wliich is to 

 be placed on the top of the large or main box, and 

 connects with it by means of the circular holes no- 

 ticed in the second figure. The top of the small 



box is also covered with glass. When filled with 

 honey, the large boxes contain about 30 lbs., and 

 the small boxes from 8 to 10 lbs. each. The up- 

 per ones may be removed when filled, as also the 

 large ones. 



The patentee claims for it the following impor- 

 tant advantages : 



1. It is adapted to either large or small colo- 

 nies, as the bees occupy from one to six boxes (or 

 sections,) as their numbers may require, and 

 thereby give them at all times as much or as little 

 room as they may need at each and all seasons of 

 the year. 



2. It affords the best facilities for observing the 

 operations of the bees, for ascertaining the amount 

 of honey stored, and the strength and condition of 

 the colony, without the least exposure to the bees. 



3. The arrangement for removing the old brood 

 combs, (so essential to keep a colony in health and 

 vigor,) and for removing the surplus honey, are 

 equalled by no other hive, as the bees may be 

 made to leave either box before removing it from 

 its place in the hive. 



4. It is desidedly the best non-swarming hive 

 ever invented, as colonies may be divided and mul- 

 tiplied without the trouble and uncertainty of 

 swarming ; or swarming may be prevented, by 

 giving ample room, and taking the surplus honey 

 as fast as gathered. 



5. It is also the best swarming hive, as the 



