MODERN BEHIVES. 



[Ch. III. 



§ VI. THE LADIES' OBSERVATORY HIVE. 



The following illustration shows the construction of this 

 hive. The stock hive is of stout glass, and cylindrical, 

 with a flat top and a hole in the 

 centre ; it is thirteen inches iivinside 

 diameter and eight inches and a half 

 deep. A support, composed of even 

 wooden bars fixed on a pedestal from 

 the floor-board, is very useful for the 

 bees to cling to and secure their 

 combs, instead of resting wholly 

 against the glass. 



The floor-board is of mahogany,, 

 the border being French-polished. 

 A middle-sized bell glass, for de- 

 privation, is placed over the hole ; 

 this hole may be closed by a zinc 

 slide. A cover of straw, eighteen 

 inches deep and fifteen inches wide,, 

 with a zinc ventilating top similar to that affixed to the 

 cottage hive, completes the arrangements. The weight 

 of the stock hive and board is about sixteen pounds. In 

 the figure the cover is shown lifted to display the interior. 

 In a thoroughly warm room it may be kept entirely off. 

 This hive is well adapted for those persons who are 

 desirous of having the opportunity of making a closer 

 examination of the workmanship of these industrious and 



