THE BEE, 



shotild be perforated through its whole course, the perforations 

 being made in an oblique direction, so distant irom each other 

 as to cause all the stitches of the hive to range in an uniform 

 manner 



" The hoop may be first pierced with a gimlet, and the holes 

 completed by a very small rod of hot iron introduced from the 

 inner side of the hoop, so flattened as to make the perforation 

 correspond as nearly as possible with the bramble-splits which 

 are to be drawn through them. The stitch-holes in the hoop 

 should be filled with putty after the hive is finished, 



" Those who wish glass windows in straw hives may accom- 

 plish this object by cutting through several of the bands of 

 straw in two places, three or four inches asunder. This is 

 sometimes eflfected by thrusting two strong wooden skewers 

 through the bands of the hive, a little further apart than the 

 desired width of the windows ; these give such firmness to the 

 part as to admit of the cuttings being made with tolerable 

 precision. The windows are generally cut opposite to the 

 entrance, and about the centre ; but they may be made at any 

 part of the hive. The ends of the cut straw bands may be 

 secured by pack-thread or softened flexible wire, the panes of 

 glass fastened with putty, and the light excluded by a wooden 

 shutter or a dark curtain." 



The situation of the hive is of considerable importance. 

 Indeed, there are certain localities where one will be wise to 

 eschew the keeping of bees altogether ; as for instance, near the 

 banks of wide rivers, or by the sea shore ; for, on their homeward 

 voyage, like a fleet of richly laden sugar ships, a storm may 

 rise, and they may be driven out to sea, and there be wrecked 

 and drowned. Water, however, is essential to the bees' well 

 doing; it is needfal for moistening the pollen on which the 

 young are fed. Tou are lucky if within a little distance of 

 your house there runs a bright shallow little brook, for on the 

 stepping stones the bees wiU rest and sip the sparkling liquid 

 to their hearts' content. 



The bee-house should not be far removed from your ownj 

 without doubt your little winged servants will work all the 

 more cheerfully and at their ease, if they are familiar with 

 your footsteps and voice. I say hear your voice, although it be 

 heretical and against the conviction of many profoundly clever 

 men, who have proved, at least to their own satisfaction, that 

 the bee is deaf; but to adopt this doctrine is to hiM as absurd 

 the time honoured custom of " ringing" the bees. It may be a 



