528 



MISCELLANEOUS GARDEN STRUCTURES. 



deference to Mr Wighton, who, we know, 

 has studied the history and management 

 of the bee with great assiduity, we think 

 that a bee-shed or shelter in the rustic 

 style would be better for them if formed 

 as in fig. 748, (taken from " Illustrations 



Fig. 748. 



above. Indeed the tree may exist for 

 ages after being converted into a habita- 



Fig. 750, 



Fig. 749. 



of the Hives referred to in the Practical 

 Bee-Keeper," by J. Milton.) In Mr 

 Wighton's shed there must be a perpetual 

 draught blowing through it ; while in the 

 latter, this cannot take place, as the back 

 or north side of the shed is closed in. 

 Almost all bee managers disapprove of 

 placing the hives in a draught, or where 

 currents of air blow upon them, which 

 must be the case in a shed whose sides 

 are open all round. 



These hives are of the kind called re- 

 volving hives, shown 

 upon a larger scale 

 in fig. 749, from the 

 same source. The 

 glasses are removed 

 when full of honey, 

 and empty ones sub- 

 stituted. They are 

 also covered with a top, 

 or bonnet, as shown 

 by those in the shed. 

 In fig. 750 we have attempted to show 

 a variety of the Polish hive, internally 

 on the same principle as those before 

 alluded to, but externally exhibiting more 

 of the grotesque or pictorial character, 

 which we think such bee-hives undeniably 

 should have, more especially when ad- 

 mitted as objects of ornament in pictur- 

 esque gardens. Of course, in such as 

 profess to be of a different character, other 

 forms should be preferred. In situations 

 where an old and picturesque tree exists, 

 little harm will be done to it by convert- 

 ing it into a Polish bee-hive, the openings 

 being made all on one side, as exhibited 



tion for these industrious and profitable 

 creatures. 



For this purpose any tree is more 

 suitable than a fir ; for the exteriors of 

 the trunks of all that species are far too 

 regular and column- like for the purpose. 



Youngs bee-hive. — This picturesque and 

 ingenious bee-hive is the invention of Mr 

 W. Young, late of Florence Court, Ire- 

 land, but now of the Cape of Good Hope. 

 It was sent as a communication to " The 

 Gardeners' Magazine," vol. viii. p. 665, 

 from which the description and sketch, 

 fig. 751, are taken. 



It is in external appearance somewhat 

 like the Polish hive, and admits of the 

 honey being taken out without injuring 

 the bees. 



" A door opens in the rear, and inside 

 is a glass door, which 

 you can open to take 

 out as many combs 

 as you wish. The 

 bees do not swarm, 

 nor are they any 

 trouble after being 

 once put into the 

 hive, which is done in 

 the same way as with 

 any other hive, by 

 scenting the inside. 

 The ends are two 

 round boards ; and 

 rails of wood are nailed to these, and 

 strong canvass nailed round, leaving only 

 the door. Two slight iron hoops are 



Fig. 751. 



