266 DESCRIPTION OF THE HIVE OF MARTIN. 



the pillars is fastened by a nail. The whole constitutes 

 one case. 



Four of these cases are placed one above another, in order 

 to form an ordinary hive. The holes ought to correspond 

 perfectly with each other, closing that one wholly which 

 is at the upper part of the hive, but still in such a manner 

 that it may be opened or closed at pleasure. The whole 

 of the construction is supported by means of two iron rods 

 placed crossways under the lower case, and joined and 

 fastened to the upper case. 



The whole being thus arranged, it is covered over with a 

 piece of cloth or linen, leaving open one of the fronts of 

 the lower case. It is by that channel, that the swarm 

 is introduced, after which it is wholly closed up, leaving 

 a small aperture for the ingress and egress of the bees. 



The swarm being introduced, proceeds in its usual way, 

 and commences to lay the foundation of its combs. The 

 lateral sides of this hive not offering them any security, the 

 bees do not commence their labours in that quarter, but in 

 the very centre of the case ; they then pass into the second, 

 then into the third, and finally into the last. In a favourable 

 season, the whole of this is accomplished in eight or ten 

 days ; the cloth may then be wholly removed, which will 

 stick but slightly to the combs ; indeed it might be removed 

 at the expiration of a few days, but then the risk would be 

 run of having the bees all on one side, which would be the 

 means of rendering the work irregular and unseemly. But 

 if, according to the advice of Messrs. Martin, the cloth be 

 not removed until the cases be nearly all full, the hive will 

 exhibit a regular work, which will be continued in the same 

 order. 



Thus exposed to the open air, the bees will tranquilly con- 

 tinue their labours, if the atmosphere be always calm, and 

 exempt from everything which might prove essentially pre- 

 judicial to the bees; for it must be borne in mind that 



