The Chester Meeting. 
543 
jam factory in any neighbourhood. In judging these classes I have looked 
to quality and flavour more than mere showiness of get-up, although this 
latter is a matter not to be neglected. In Class 327, for air-tight recep- 
tacle, there is no entry, although the exhibit in Class 324 is in a receptacle 
to which I should have awarded a prize had it been entered, for that 
purpose, in Class 327. 
Hives and Honey. 
In this department there were 130 entries in eighteen classes, 
as compared with 154 entries in sixteen classes at Warwick in 
1892. The Judges have presented the subjoined report : — 
The Bee and Honey Department was fairly representative in character, 
but, as usual, the early date on which the Show is held had a somewhat 
adverse effect on the Produce Section. This was particularly unfortunate 
this year, because at the time the exhibition was on view honey was being 
rapidly gathered every where for miles around, and a week or ten days’ longer 
time would have enabled local beekeepers to have made a fine display of 
produce. As it was, the bulk of the honey shown came from the south, the 
whole being put up in good marketable form and well staged. 
The Appliance Section of the department was very creditable indeed, 
no old-fashioned or out-of-date articles being staged in any of the classes. 
Of hives, though not a large display, some excellent specimens of workman- 
ship were shown, especially those taking prizes. The general tendency of 
manufacturers is to make hives much lighter in weight than formerly, 
cumbersome ones, of heavy material, being never seen of late years at 
Shows. We quite approve of the change, and it seems to be generally 
admitted that a light outer-case, to protect the hive proper from the 
extremes of weather, with all portable parts, roof, body-box, and surplus- 
chambers made of thin, light wood, are best for all purposes. They are 
easier to handle, and certainly advantageous, bearing in mind the great 
weight hives and surplus-chambers frequently attain and the amount of 
“ handling ” required during the busy season. These remarks have reference 
mainly to Class 330 (best and most complete hive for general use), in 
which class several “ Wells Hives ” were staged in competition ; but 
however excellent these particular hives may be for illustrating what is 
known as the “ Wells” or double-queen system of working bees, they were 
obviously out of place among hives for general use, consequently we had 
no option but to pass them by unnoticed. This was matter for regret, 
because had they been staged in Class 344 (any practically useful invention 
connected with beekeeping) their merits could have been adjudicated on. 
In Class 331 (most complete inexpensive hive for cottagers’ use) we 
consider the makers who competed did not attach quite sufficient importance 
to cost, and we think it would be better if a maximum price of, say, 10s. 6c?. 
were fixed by schedule in future. Hives costing so much as 14s. or 15s. 
cannot be called “ cottagers’ hives,” the price being quite too high for a 
cottager. Otherwise some very good hives were shown in this class. In 
Class 344 some interesting things were shown ; notably a “ device for prevent- 
ing swarming.” This was shown by an American exhibitor, Mr. J.P.Langdon, 
of East Constable, N.Y. It consisted of a simple but ingenious arrange- 
ment for working hives in pairs, by means of which the population of both 
could be combined, or turned into either hive at the will of the beekeeper, 
and thus prevent the bees from swarming. The exhibit was awarded a 
silver medal as a meritorious attempt to overcome a difficulty which has 
long troubled beekeepers. Whether or not it will succeed time alone can 
