HIVES. 



97 



order that the sun and rain shall not draw the seams 

 apart. 



Stewarton Hive. — This is a very celebrated hive 

 in common use about Stewarton, in Ayrshire, where, as 

 elsewhere, it has produced most excellent results ; and 

 when better known, will be found worthy of more 

 general employment. In the Apiarian Exhibition at 

 the Crystal Palace, in 1874, a magnificent display of the 

 finest white clover honey was 

 made in the Stewarton supers ; 

 the purity, quantity, and beauti- 

 ful regularity of the combs were 

 worthy of the prize and general 

 high commendation it obtained. 

 This hive is octagonal, with sides 

 strongly dove-tailed together. It 

 consists of two or three body 

 or breeding-boxes, whose inside 

 measure is 14 inches across from 

 side to side, or from back to 

 front. The height of the box, 

 measured inside, is 6 or 7 inches. 

 The bottom is perfectly open. 

 The top is quite flat, and con- 

 tains usually eight moveable bars or frames, placed 

 parallel to each other in the direction from back to front. 

 The four central bars are framed, and with the bars on 

 either side are i| inches wide — the outside bars being 

 ii inches wide. The central frames are very useful, 

 affording facilities for examination of the hive whenever 

 desired. The spaces between the bars are capable of 

 being closed by strips of wood, which slide in grooves 

 made in the sides of the bars, and which can readily be 

 drawn out behind when required. Windows with sliding 



Fig- 37- 



