170 
TIIR COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, June 12, 18G0. 
In addition, then, to the straw hive above alluded to, which I 
use for swarming and general purposes, I employ several other 
varieties of hives, principally for prosecuting the study of the bee, 
and for experimental purposes. Among these I mention chiefly 
a glass observatory-hive, a Huber leaf-hive, and a vertical frame- 
hive. The glass observatory is a hive which is constructed on 
the unicomb principle, and on a plan entirely of my own. It is 
triangular in form, having three wings containing a superficial 
area equal in extent to the natural requirements of an average 
colony ; is capable of being revolved for facility of observation, 
and, consequently, is admirably adapted for studying the internal 
economy and operations of the bee. Each wing is encased by 
two framed sheets of glass hinged on the exterior pillar, and, 
consequently, access can be had to any part of the hive at pleasure ; 
while the space between the glass is of sufficient width to admit 
only of one comb. These frames rest on a triangular board, to 
which they are attached, and in which apertures for access to 
the bees are made in the centre and underneath each wing. The 
centre of the floor-board is all scooped out to the depth of about 
half an inch, so as to embrace the whole area of a circle exterior 
to the apertures in the bottom of the hive ; and the passage, or 
entrance for the bees by the floor-board, is sloped gradually out¬ 
wards by a tunnel of sufficient width, so as to terminate in and 
constitute the usual doorway. This hive has an exterior covering 
of a warm material to provide for climatical changes, and is 
besides possessed of other little arrangements unnecessary to 
detail. It is, moreover, located in a bee-house which opens from 
behind. It is only by such a hive as this, which is constructed on 
the unicomb principle, that the internal operations of the whole 
community can be thoroughly observed and studied without the 
least inconvenience or annoyance either to the bees or the observer. 
The Huber leaf-hive I also value highly, both for its general 
usefulness and its affording facilities of internal examination. 
This hive I have constructed with great care, and in accordance 
with the known principles which regulate the proceedings of the 
bee when left to itself; so that the combs are beautifully parallel 
to each other and at natural distances. This hive has eight frames, 
but it can be enlarged or diminished in size according to circum¬ 
stances. The frames converge from eleven inches in width at top 
to ten inches at bottom, and are eleven inches high, all inside 
measure. They are hinged in front, and have hooks and eyes 
to keep them together behind. They are likewise grooved on 
both sides, and the interspaces at top are filled up by slips of glass. 
The other hive—the vertical-frame hive—I introduced into my 
apiary several years ago, and is useful principally for experimental 
purposes. Tire principle is the same as adopted in De Beauvois’ 
prize hive at the Exhibition in 1851, but is of a different con¬ 
struction. The frames are fitted in a wooden box, and the dis¬ 
tances are apportioned with the same care as in the Huber hive. 
They are moveable, and can be drawn up and replaced at plea¬ 
sure, and they fall into and are kept in their position by a simple 
interior arrangement. It is constructed like the Huber leaf-hive 
on the salient angle principle, the convergence being equal to one 
inch from top to bottom. The box itself is composed of two 
divisional parts, opening laterally at the very centre. Both sides 
are grooved, and it is hinged in front and kept together behind 
with hooks and eyes. It is unnecessary to enlarge on the uses 
of this hive. For the removal of brood or honeycomb, for arti¬ 
ficial swarm-making, and other purposes, it will be at once seen 
that it is capable of being turned to good account in the apiary, 
both for economical and experimental purposes. 
In these remarks I have made I have purposely refrained from 
dogmatising either as to form, size, or material. These are best 
ascertained by the experience of apiarians themselves, according 
to locality and circumstances. I have, however, clearly enough 
indicated, I think, my own views on the matter, and stated what 
I find from experience most suited to my own locality; but I 
believe that with some modifications the same might be found 
applicable to most parts of the country. 
Bees can accommodate themselves sometimes to strange domi¬ 
ciles. We know that a lion’s carcass, and an excavation in the 
rock, or the trunk of a tree, have afforded them, temporarily at 
least, a Bafe refuge. An apiarian friend of mine happening to 
have seven swarms in his apiary about the Bame time, the whole 
joined into one monster mass. Not having anything more suitable 
at hand, he lodged the united swarms in an empty water-barrel 
about five feet high by three feet in diameter. Unfortunately, 
however, this apiarian heptarchy was scarcely so enduring as the 
Saxon one of old, though the results were somewhat alike ; for, 
by reason of internal discord, dissension, and defection, it gradu¬ 
ally dwindled away until only one sovereign remained at the 
head of a still formidable population—the fortunate survivor of 
such a host of competitors. 
The principal object I have had in view in making the remarks 
now made on bee-domiciles is to controvert the wide-spread errors 
on this subject; to disabuse the apiarian mind of the prevailing 
fallacy, that, in virtue of a particular invention, contrivance, or 
theory, bees can be forced, as it were, to augment their sweets, 
and to yield them up in increased abundance according to the 
mere whim or caprice of their owner. I have shown that while 
not undervalueing construction, and appreciating, as I do, those 
improvements which are in accordance with the instinct and 
habits of the bee, yet there are other elements exerting a weightier 
influence, and bringing about those results which no mere theo¬ 
retical dogma can control, and no mere human ingenuity coun¬ 
teract. Experience has satisfied my own mind as to the truth of 
these observations, and I could wish to see them more acted upon 
by apiarians generally.—J. Lowe, Edinburgh. 
ADDING A LIGURIAN QUEEN—DRONES 
PRECEDE SWARMING. 
1. In depriving a hive of its queen in order to add an Italian 
queen, would it be necessary to cut away also the queen cells ? 
2. Do bees ever swarm before there are drones in the hive? 
and at what time is it usual for drones to make their appearance? 
—A Young Bee-keeper. 
[1. It would certainly be advisable to deprive a stock of queen 
cells as well as of its queen before substituting a foreign sovereign; 
but we should prefer operating on a swarm, or on a stock which 
did not contemplate swarming, and in which therefore no queen 
cells in an advanced stage would be found. 
2. Drones usually make their appearance in April or May, 
and it is generally considered that no eggs are laid in royal cells, 
and therefore no swarms can issue until they become numerous. 
“ Early drones, early swarms,” is an old and a true adage.] 
WORKING BEES LA1UNG EGGS. 
It was recently stated at a Society’s Meeting, that there are 
sometimes fertile working bees in a hive. Can this be true?— 
Kensington. 
[We hear that it was so mentioned, and as a new discovery, 
and as “remarkable;” but the fact was known to apiarians before 
the commencement of the present century. Hubei-, writing in 
1791, speak of it as “The singular discovery of Riem,” and con¬ 
firms it by a series of decisive experiments. Dr. Bevan also 
mentions it in his work. M.Hermann (“Alp-bee,” p. 19),notices 
it, and says a plurality of eggs are laid in the same cell by fertile 
workers.] 
OUR LETTER BOX. 
Diseased Pigeons.— 1 “ Since wet weather set in my Pigeons have a diffi¬ 
culty in breathing, and in a few days it kills them. I am told it is the 
roup. Can you or any of your correspondents tell me a cure, or what is 
best to give them? I have already lost two by it, and I am afraid I shall 
lose some more. Can you tell me if it is catching? A. Y. 
[We do not know this disease, and shall be obliged by any information 
on the subject.] 
Antwerp Carriep.s.— Capercaillie wrote to us some time since about 
these Pigeons. His wants, we hear, can now be supplied by T. Townley 
Parker, Esq., Adlington Hall, Chorley, Lancashire. 
Food for Ducklings [B. S. P .).—All the information you ask for is 
contained in this extract from our “Poultry Book for the Many,” which 
may be bought for Gd.Ducks of all kinds should be kept in a house 
separate from other poultry, and with a brick floor to admit of frequent 
washing. Give them plenty of room. Boiled roots, mixed with a little 
barlcymeal, is good food for them. Add a little milk when fattening them. 
Eleven eggs for a large Duck, and nine for a small Duck, are enough for 
them to sit upon. The eggs do not keep so well as those of the common 
hen, so sit them on the freshest. Make the nest on the ground, and in a 
damp place. The Duck requires to be fed every morning and evening 
whilst sitting. Let her have food and water near to the nest. Boiled but 
cold oatmeal porridge is the best food for Ducklings until they are ten days 
old ; afterwards barleymeal, oats, and pollard, with plenty of green food. 
They are ready for table in eight or ten weeks if well fed. Never give 
them hard spring water, but water from a pond. They may be taken away 
from the Duck when three days old if they have a confined yard to be kept 
in, well supplied with water, and a dry, warm house to retire to, and if 
never allowed to come out of that house before nine o’clock in the morning. 
The tails of young Ducklings need not be clipped off.” Remember, the 
Ducklings must be kept very frequently fed,—neglect for two or three 
hours will render of no avail the previous care of weeks. To make them 
grow fast, keep them warm and with no more water than is in a very 
shallow pan. Adult Ducks may be fed upon any animal or vegetable food 
that will cook into a soft state. 
