76 THE APIARY. 



The simplicity and easy management of this hive have 

 deservedly rendered it an especial favourite, combining-, 

 as it does, real utility vi^ith many conveniences to satisfy 

 the curious. Not a few bee-keepers desire to unite the 

 two qualifications, and no hives combine these advan- 

 tages in a greater degree than Neighbour's improved 

 cottage hive. 



IMPROVED COTTAGE HIVE WITHOUT WINDOWS. 



This hive is of precisely the same size, construction, 

 and management as the last mentioned, with the excep- 

 tion that it has no windows or thermometer in the lower 

 or stock hive. The apiarian, with this hive, will have to 

 trust more to his own judgment as regards the likelihood 

 of swarming, and must watch the appearance the bees 

 present at the entrance. When it is time to put on 

 supers, in oi'der to prevent swarming, premonition will 

 be given by the unusual numbers crowding about the 

 entrance, as well as by the heat of the weather, making 

 it evident that more room is required for the increasing 

 population. 



Not being able to form an idea of the state of the 

 hive in spring and autumn by looking into the stock- 

 hive, it will be advisable to adopt the means of weighing. 

 A stock at Michaelmas should weigh 20 lbs., exclusive of 

 the hive, or be made up to that weight by feeding. 



