§ VIII.] BUBER'S HIVE. 127 



or cover of some sort, as the action of the sun and rain 

 is likely to decay the wood, whilst the extreme summer 

 heat might cause the combs to fall from their founda- 

 tions. Neat and tasteful sheds may be erected, con- 

 sisting either of zinc or thatched roofs supported by iron 

 or wooden rods, and they will form a pretty addition to 

 the flower-garden. It will be well to make the covering 

 a foot or two longer, so as to allow of a cottage hive on 

 each side, as the appearance of the whole is much im- 

 proved by such an arrangement. 



The super will be almost sure to be filled first, having 

 been first opened to the bees. This will be removed 

 according to the general instructions. The removal of 

 the end boxes is a somewhat similar process, but they 

 should on no account be taken away at the same time as 

 the glass, or, indeed, at a time when any other hive is 

 being — robbed we were going to say, for it is robbery to 

 the bees : they intended the honey for their winter food, 

 and are much enraged at being deprived of it. First 

 shut down the dividing tin ; the bees in the end box are 

 now prisoners separated from the hive ; keep them so 

 half an hour, and then take away the box bodily to 

 another part of the garden, or into a dark outhouse. 



§ VIII. RUBER'S HIVE. 

 To Francis Huber — not improperly styled "the prince 

 of apiarians '' — we are indebted for more extensive and 

 accurate observations on the habits of the bee than have 



