274 DESCRIPTION OF THE HIVE OF VICAT. 



When a swarm is put into one of these hives, the upper 

 piece, or top of one of the boxes is taken off, and the straw 

 hive is placed upon the opening ; putting a grate of wire in 

 the hole to prevent a union of the combs in the box with 

 those in the hive, which would render the separation more 

 difficult. 



When a box is to be taken away, the rod which holds the 

 boxes firmly connected is unscrewed. The boxes which are 

 to remain untouched may be secured by staples. The open- 

 ing in the bottom of the piece of deal, which forms the back 

 part of the hive, is then to be opened, and the smoke of linen 

 rags is blown into the box ; as soon as it is conceived that 

 the bees are by these means driven out of the furthest box, 

 the end is loosened and taken away ; then the box itself is 

 detached from the next, and the combs, if they run in a 

 longitudinal direction, must be cut through with a wire or a 

 sharp thin knife ; if the combs run cross-wise, they must 

 be taken out singly before the box is taken away. The box 

 being then removed, the piece of deal forming the back of 

 the hive is immediately joined to the remaining box, and 

 secured as it was before. The smoke should be kept up all 

 the time to prevent interruption from the bees. If the first 

 box is to be taken away, the same steps are to be exactly 

 pursued ; and if it be done when most of the bees are abroad, 

 scarcely a bee will be lost. 



Having now described the hives which are chiefly in use 

 on the continent, we shall proceed to a description of those 

 which have been invented in this country; although we 

 premise, that we cannot pass a high eulogium on their 

 merits. There is very little originality in their invention, 

 they being chiefly modifications of other hives, preserving 

 all their defects, and wholly losing sight of their good 

 qualities. 



In regard to the glass or bell hives, they are fit only for 

 the amateur, although they have been recommended by some 



