92 PHELPS’ OHIO COMBINATION BEE-HIVE. 
of the building, and the openings cut through the weather-hoarding to correspond with 
the openings in the boxes, for the ingress and egress of the bees, and the bees may then 
be set in, and the communication closed between different colonies. Hives got up in this 
manner, and enclosed in a building, will last an age, and will keep the bees in an even 
ternperature during winter, which will be a benefit to them ; and they will consume less 
honey than when exposed to the various changes of the weather. 
Fig. 1 is a view of the rear of the hive, with the lid raised, showing the arrangement 
of the upper ticr of boxes, each with a pane of glass, 6 by 12 inches, covering the entire 
top of the box. The rear door is also open, showing the arrangement of the main boxes, 
each with a pane of glass in the back side, 7 Ly 9 inches, to observe the operations of the 
bees, and amount of honey in store, &e. § Stay 
Fig. 2 represents one of the main or large sections, having the communication closed 
by a dividing shutter that is attached to the side of the box by a screw at its lower end, 
which forms the pivot upon which it moves to open and close the comraunication between 
the boxes. The boxes are all alike, and may be changed to any part of the case without 
difficulty. An aperture is cut in the front of each box, as scen at c, Fig. 2, for the ingress 
and egress of the bees ; a spout, or alighting-board, is attached to the front of the hive 
of sufficient length to reach through weather-boarding when set in a building. : 
Fig. 8 represents one of the small boxes; these may be made either with or without 
bottoms ; the top is covered with glass. They will contain, when filled with honey, from 
eight to ten pounds ; the lower boxes about thirty pounds. 
"The bottom is attached to the front of the hive by butts, and may be let down at any 
time without disturbing or moving the boxes, as they stand upon strips nailed to the caso 
at the bottom, against which the bottom shuts and forms a tight joint. The bottom, when 
closed, is kept in place by a button at each end. There are ventilating openings through 
the bottom, three inches in diameter, cavered on the under side with perforated tin doors, 
that may be opened and closed at pleasure. The moth-trap, or device for catching and 
destroying the mothis after they get into the hive, cannot be seen in the engraving, as it 
is placed upon the floor of the hive under the adjoining edges or sides of the boxes. It 
consists in a strip of board, grooved or rabbeted at the edges, to form a harbor for the 
moths on the bottom of the hive ; this siide, or trap, is covered with a tin case, with open- 
ings at its lower edge, corresponding with the grooves in the trap ; the case prevents the 
bees from fastening it to the floor, and admits of its being withdrawn and returned with- 
out disturbing the bees. This invention is acknowledged by those who have tested it, to 
be the most simple, conyenjent, and effectual device for destroying moths ever invented. 
This hive is truly a Comlination Hire,in every sense of the word. And, although it 
combines so many advantages, it is perfectly simple in its construction, and bees are 
managed with less difficulty and better success in it than in any other hive, as all that 
have used it will testify. 
The advantages it possesses over others are :— ; 
1st. Its perfect adaptation (in regard to size) to the actual wants of a colony of becs, 
at all seasons, let it be a large or sinall one. 
2d. The facilities it affords for obtaining surplus honey, or removing any portion of the 
old combs, are superior to any other, as the bees may be made to leave either box when 
desired, before removing it from the hive, without disturbing or injuring thern in the least. 
3d. It affords the best opportunity for observing the operations of the bees, the amount of 
honey in store, and the strength of the co'ony, at all times, without exposure to the bees. 
4th. The construction of the hive with the alighting board is such, that it will often save 
the expense of a building on purpose for bees, as it may be set in any out-building, or in 
a dwelling, as has often ‘been done by those using it. 
5th. It is acknowledged to afford the bees better protection against moths and robbers 
than any other hive, as the small aperture at which the bees enter is the only means of 
access for the miller, and this being three inches over the bottom, the bees are not £0 liable 
to leave it during evening, as if it was at the bottom of the hive. 
6th. It affords a more convenient and effectual means of destroying moths after they 
get into the hive, than any other. 
7th. It is also acknowledged to be the best swarming hive known, as the bees may be 
confined to a suitable amount of room until after they swarm, when more room may be 
given, and further swarming prevented, and a larger amount of honey obtained than in 
any other hive. 
8th. It may also be used as a non-swarming hive, as ample room may be given, and the 
surplus honey and old combs removed as often as desired, without disturbing the bees, 
and a larger amount of honey obtained than in any other hive. : 
_ 9th. It is acknowledged, by all who have fed bees in it, to be the most convenient hive, 
for that purpose, known, and the only one that bees can be fed in with any degree of 
safety against robbers. 
