438 OBSERVING HIVES. 



In the common observing hive, experiments are conducted 

 with great difficulty, and only by experts who are able to cut 

 away parts of the comb, whereas in this, they can be per- 

 formed by the simple removal of a frame ; and if a colony 

 becomes too much reduced in numbers, it may be recruited, 

 in a few minutes, by helping it to maturing brood, from one 

 of the other hives. 



A very intelligent writer, in a description of the different 

 hives exhibited at the World's Fair, in London, laments that 

 no method has yet been devised to enable bees to cluster in 

 cold weather, in an observing hive, so as to preserve them 

 alive in Winter, even in the moderate climate of Great 

 Britain. By the use of movable frames, this difficulty can 

 be entirely obviated, as on the approach of cold weather, 

 the Apiarian may transfer his bees from a hive unsuitable for 

 winter use, to one of the warmest conslruction ; and as soon 

 as the weather, next season, is sufficiently auspicious, they 

 may again be installed in a glass palace. 



These observing hives may be constructed of sufficient 

 size to accommodate a full swarm. I do not, however, 

 prefer such a hive for ordinary purposes, but one holding 

 only a single frame, and which while it affords great gratifi- 

 cation to the curious, admits of easy control, and requires 

 only a few bees to be diverted from the more profitable 

 business of making honey in the common hives. 



A hive of this form may be called a Parlor-Observing 

 Hive, aad may be conveniently placed in any room in the 

 house ; th« alighting board being outside, and the whole 

 arrangement such that the bees may be inspected at all hours, 

 day or night, without the slightest j-isk of being stung. Two 

 such hives may be placed before one window, and put up or 

 taken down in a few minutes, without cutting or defacing 

 the wood-work of the house. In one, the queen may al- 



