Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/254

224] each other in the centre of the box, and are fastened to the pannels by means of small screws. To these slips the bees fasten their combs. In this octangular box the bees, after swarming in the usual manner, are hived, and suffered to continue there, till they have built their combs, and filled them with honey; which may be known by opening the door, and viewing their works through the glass pane, or by the weight of the hive. When they have filled their habitation, a common bee-hive of straw, made either flat at the top, or in the common form, must be placed on the octangular box, and the slider drawn out; thus a communication will be opened between the box and the straw-hive, so that these industrious insects will fill this hive also with the product of their labours. When the straw-hive is sufficiently filled, the slider may be pushed in, and after placing another in its room, again speedily removed.

Mr. has added another part to his bee-hive, which consists of a glass receiver 18 inches in height, 8 inches in diameter at the bottom, and in the greatest part 13. This receiver has a hole at the top, about an inch in diameter, through which a square piece of deal is extended to nearly the bottom of the vessel, having two cross bars, to which the bees fasten their combs. Into the other end of this square piece is screwed a piece of brass, which serves for a handle to the receiver, or glass hive. When the bees have filled their straw hive (which must have a hole in the centre, covered with a piece of tin) Mr. T. places the glass receiver upon the top of the straw hive, and draws out the piece of tin. The bees now, finding their habitation enlarged, pursue their labours with such alacrity, that they likewise fill this glass hive with their stores.

The Egyptian bee-hives are made of coal-dust and clay, which being well blended together, the mixture is formed into a hollow cylinder, about a span in diameter, and from six to twelve feet high: this is dried in the sun, and becomes so hard that it may be handled at pleasure.

Another, of a very simple and ingenious construction, has been invented by M. . It may be made either of straw or wood: but, as its internal dimensions must be the same throughout its whole length, it is necessary that its form should be either cylindrical or prismatic. Its principal advantage is, that its bases are moveable, and may be fixed by pins at any distance from each other; by which means its size may be increased, or diminished, according to circumstances. It must lie on its side, and, in the foremost base, there must be a passage left for the bees. Hence, by drawing out the posterior base, the honey may be taken from the back part of the hive, without hurting the bees; and, when this is done, the base should be pushed in close to the remaining comb, that an intermediate space may remain. By turning the hive, and making the entrance in that part, which had before been the posterior base, the bees will build new cells, in the room of those taken away; consequently the honey will be whiter, and more pure.

Whoever intends to erect an apiary, should purchase hives towards the close of the year, when they are cheapest; and such only as are full of combs, and stocked with a ficient