WEIGHING HIVES. 187 



those bee-keepers who may not possess suitable sheds in 

 their gardens, where a hive could be thus suspended 

 from a beam. 



This contrivance is both portable and simple, and 

 can be used from time to time ; or, if the apiarian 

 desires to have the] hive constantly suspended, a water- 

 proof covering might easily be made to drop over, and 

 adapted so as to admit of being raised occasionally for 

 ascertaining the weight shown on the dial. 



To prevent the hive being swayed to and fro by the 

 wind, three cords (gear ropes) might be attached there^ 

 from to the three legs of the stand. The height of such 

 a stand need not exceed four feet. 



Much interest might be derived by watching the daily 

 or hourly increasing store brought into a hive during 

 the gathering season. 



Mr. George Fox, of Kingsbridge, and Mr. S- Bevan 

 Fox, of Exeter, have fpr some years each kept one 

 stock attached to a " Salter's Circular Spring Balance," 

 suspended from a beam under a shed, and, from expe- 

 rience, find that from a hive so balanced a criterion may 

 be formed of what other hives in the apiary are doing 

 through the day. 



Many ingenious contrivances will, no doubt, suggest 

 themselves to the apiarian for suspending hives in this 

 manner. For instance, instead of the cord being tied 

 round the hive, three or four strong irons, with a screw 

 at one end and a ring at the other (known by iron* 



