86 



THE APIARI; OK, 



bees access to it. If tlie hive be a stocky that is a swarm of the 

 last or previous years, the super may be put on as soon as the 

 weather is fine and warm in May. But much depends on the weather 

 and the strength of the hive as regards the time occupied by the 

 bees in filling the super ; in favourable weather a fortnight suffices. 



If, on looking in at the little window, the bee-master sees that 

 the cells are sealed over, the cap of honey may be removed in the 

 mode already described. The cells near the window are the last to 

 be filled, so when they are sealed, it is safe to conclude that the 

 combs in the unseen parts are also finished. 



Sometimes the queen ascends and deposits her eggs ; if, on 

 turning up the super, brood be visible, replace the cap for a few 

 days, until the young bees quit their cells. When thus emptied, 

 honey will be deposited in lieu of the brood. 



Suitable pedestals for these hives to stand upon may be obtained. 

 It is important that these be firmly fixed, and the hive also made 

 fast to the stand, to prevent its being blown over by high winds. 



BAK AND EEAME HIYES. 



Mr. Woodbury's Bar and Frame 

 Hive, as originally made, consists of a 

 wooden box 14| inches square inside, 

 9 inches deep. This is a hive of large 

 size, but the actual habitable space 

 inside is lessened by the room occupied 

 by the frames, of which there are ten ; 

 these rest on a rabbet a little below the 

 surface, leaving a space of | of an inch between the upper side of the 

 bars and the crown board. This allows a free passage on the top for 

 the bees, entirely obviating the necessity of making excavations in 

 the crown board, as has hitherto been recommended. Each frame 

 is I of an inch wide, and rests in notches, with a space of g an inch 

 between each. The frames extend to within | of an inch of the 

 floorboard, so as to hang without touching any part, leaving about the 

 same distance from the sides. It will be seen that there is a free 

 passage for the bees on every side, and they are thus kept from 

 coming in contact with the sides of the hive. Our engraving shows 

 the hive open, and exposes to view the top of the ten bars and 



