78 THE APIARY. 



exposed to view ; it is particularly suitable for a window 

 or an indoor apiary, and will also be found a valuable 

 addition to the greenhouse. Under these circumstances, 

 the entrance-way should be covered with a flat piece of 

 glass, and an aperture cut in the sash corresponding 

 with the entrance to the hive ; through the glazed pas- 

 sage the bees may then find egress and ingress without 

 being able to gain access to the apartment. An alighting 

 board, four inches wide, must be fixed outside, on a level 

 with the entrance. 



We had a hive of this kind in operation at the Great 

 Exhibitions of 1 85 1 and 1862, fixed after the manner 

 above described. It answered admirably, and excited 

 much interest and curiosity, though placed there under 

 many disadvantages. 



When a hive of this kind is to be stocked, procure an 

 early and strong swarm, which must be temporarily 

 hived in a common straw hive, from which dislodge the 

 bees into the glass hive, but for this purpose a little pre- 

 paration will have to be made. Spread a sheet on the 

 ground, place the mahogany floor-board on it with the 

 support, put three bricks, or some solid blocks of about 

 the same substance, upon which the glass will rest; 

 then, with a sharp and sudden blow, precipitate the 

 swarm out of the straw hive on to the floor-board and 

 support, place the glass hive on the bricks, and the bees 

 will collect under the bars and on to the pedestal. In 

 about one hour's time the whole will have settled quietly 



