CONTENTS. 



Pago 



threw off swarms the previous year — A swarm of the current year, out of a last 

 year's swarm, to be rejected — Relative value of swarms and stocks — Purchase of 

 stocks in spring to be preferred, otherwise in autumn — Precautions against decep- 

 tion — Rules to be observed in the selection of stocks — Indications of vigor in a 

 hive — Proper weight — Transporting hives - - 13 



CHAPTER IY. 



OF STRAW COTTAGE HIVES — THEIR SHAPE, SEE, AND CONSTRUCTION. 



The-old fashioned bell hive objectionable — Mr. Payne's hive most suitable for cot- 

 tagers — Though too small — Two sizes recommended — Stock hive large, spoliation, 

 hive small — Material and method of construction — Entrance way — Reasons for 

 approval of large hives . . . ....... 17 



CHAPTER V. 



THE COTTAGE SYSTEM OF BEE MANAGEMENT IN THE OPEN AIR. 



Advantage of a bee dress — I. First Year— -Propriety of destroying the queen in the 

 spring if her age exceeds two or three years— Method of returning swarms and 

 capture of queen — Rising of the prime swarm with a new queen, and treatment of 

 ■ it — What if the old queen leads off theswarm — Encouragement of alarge swarm — 

 Treatment of casts — Excision of royal cells — Supplying hive room — Removal of a 

 bee glass, how effected — Weighing hives — Proper weight — Making up a deficiency 

 of food — Sheltering hives from the sun — "Wintering bees — Mr. Taylor's screens — 

 II. Second Year— Board cleansing — Excision of mouldy comb — Spring feeding — 

 Treatment of weak stocks— Swarming — Bee glasses — Super hives — Driving— Mate- 

 rials for, and manner of conducting the process — Uniting bees — Fumigation — Au- 

 tumn spoliation of hives — Same stocks to be preserved from year to year— Renewal 

 of comb— Summary of advantages peculiar to the system recommended in this 

 chapter .... ... 20 



CHAPTER VI. 



HTVES OF STRAW SUITABLE TO AMATEUR BEE MANAGEMENT. 



Mr. Golding's Grecian hive— Its superiority to every other kind of hive— Mr. Tay- 

 lor's straw hive— Slight modification of Mr. Golding's hive — Size too small Two 



sizes recommended — Construction — Painting hivea — Boxes unsuitable for the 

 open air ...... . . ^ 



