206 HIVES. 



red is most apt to be noticed from a distance, while white or clouded 

 looks best near by. To cloud a hive, paint it white, and while the last 

 coat is fresh, place the hive in a horizontal position, passing under it the 

 smoke and blaze of a lamp with a small round wick. If the clouding be 

 done in a room out of the wind, with a little practice the hives may be 

 made to resemble marble, and are very ornamental, although it cosfcl 

 nothing for material, and can be done in five minutes. 



OBSEKVTNG HIVES. 



Nearly all of the facts in the physiology of the honey bee may b^ 

 tested bv having a glass hive, with a single comb taken from a full hive, 

 in the parlor, office or sitting room. If more than one comb is used 

 some of the operations will be hid and the queen will often be between 

 them and invisible. Observing hives are of little use with more than one 

 frame. The bottom should be made of thick board four inches wide 

 Bore a hole in one end of this, so as to open up into the hive and make a 

 small ventilator, and cover it with wire cloth. The two sides should 

 be of glass, two inches apart, sliding into rabbets in the ends. The 

 queen may be seen depositing eggs in such a hive, without danger, and if 

 a comb with eggs, brood, and bees from an ordinary hive be given, the 

 whole operation of forming queen cells, and rearing queens can be seen. 

 The bottom board should extend three or four inches in front, so that 

 the bees enter from without the room. 



THE CTBCULAE SAW. 



One of the absolute necessities about the apiary is a circular saw. It 

 may be run by foot power if the number of colonies is small, but for 

 over twenty colonies, some other power will be required. Unless one is 



