ii6 MODERN BEEHIVES. [Ch. ill. 



honey.'' These glasses have a very pretty appearance, 

 and, when nicely filled, are very convenient for home 

 use or for making presents. The lower hive is the 

 receptacle for the bees ; when a swarm is placed in this 

 hive they immediately proceed to fill it with combs for 

 the storage of honey for their own use, and for cells to 

 breed in. This hive remains undisturbed. 



The best mode of tenanting a hive of this description 

 is by placing an early and strong swarm in it, which may 

 be generally procured of a neighbouring bee-keeper ; if 

 from a distance, considerable care is necessary to admit 

 plenty of air (Chap. V. § xi.). For the purpose of venti- 

 lation, remove the slides and substitute perforated zinc, 

 wrapping the hive up in a coarse cloth of open texture 

 (dispensing with the floor-board during transit when the 

 distance is great and the temperature warm). It is 

 necessary only to send the lower or stock hive to the 

 party furnishing the swarm, taking the precaution to 

 fix the slides at top with tacks, as the hive has to be 

 inverted to receive the bees. Some older bee-keepers 

 prefer to give it a little dressing with syrup, beer, or 

 herbs ; there can be no objection to the first, but other 

 scents may not be pleasant to the insects and are far 

 better avoided, as also are the sticks so often inserted, 

 they being almost certain to cause crooked combs. The 

 bees, if swarming, are shaken into the hive, as described 

 in Chap. V. § i. ; if transferred from another hive, the 

 directions will be found in a following section of the 



