-vn BRITISH BEE-KEEPER'S { PRACTICAL NOTE-BOOK BY THOS. WM. COWAN, F.L.S., F.G.S., etc. Edition. e ' Cowan ' Rapid Extractor. LONDON : JMadgwiok, Houlston &, Co., Ltd., 4 Ave Maria Lane, AND ' British Bee Journal ' &, ' Bee-keepers' Record ' Office, 8 Henrietta Strket, Oovent Garden, W.C. hi.. All Rights Reserved, PRICE ONE SHILLING. ©If^ E 1. Bill iCtbrara ?Jiirtb (Earoltna ^tate (Tollpg? SF525 C71 NORTH CAROLINA STATE umyERSlTYUBm^ cni11RR/i4 O This book is due on the date indicated below and is subject to an overdue fine as posted at the circulation desk. EXCEPTION: Date due will be earlier if this item is RECALLED. 150M/01-92-941680 ililliini ^ BRITISH BEE-KEEPER'S PRACTICAL NOTE-BOOK FOLLOWED BY A DESCRIPTION OF THE ' W. B. C HIVE AND HOW TO MAKE IT, A HOME-MADE HIVE FROM USED BOXES, HOW TO BUILD A BEE HOUSE, AND SHORT RULES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF MOVEABLE - COMB HIVES. THOS. WM. COWAN, F.L.S., F.G.S., F.R.M.S., etc. Cliairman Britis/i Bce-keepos' Association ; Editor of ' Brit is Ji Bee Journal ; ' AutJior of ' Tlic Honey Bee : Its Natural History, Anatomy, and Physiology^ ' The British Bee-keeper's Guide-book,' ' Foul Brood and its Treatment,' ' Bees and their Management,' ' Wintering Bees,' ' Doubling and Sto?'ifying,' ' Hoiv to Make an Extractor and Belloivs Smoker,' etc. Member of the British Association for the Advancement of Scietice ; Honorary Metnber of several Bee-keefiers' A ssociations in Europe and America, etc. etc. Third Edition. LONDON : Madgwick, Houlston, & Co., Ltd., 4 Ave Maria Lane, AND 'British Bee Journal & Bee-keepers' Eecord' Office, .- 8 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, W.C. All Rights Reset ved. CONTENTS. Introduction 3 Table I. — Daily Observations 4-15 II. — Observations during Wintek . . . 16-21 III. — Observations Respecting Queens . . 22, 23 IV. — Queen Rearing 24, 25 V. — Number of Brood Combs, &c. . . . 26-29 VI.— Swarms 30,31 VII. — Produce of the Year 32, 33 VIII.— Food Table 34-39 IX. — Autumnal Inspection 40-43 X. — Wintering Table 44-47 XI. — Inventory of Stocks 48, 49 XII. — Income and Expenditure 50-53 The 'W.B.C Hive: How TO Make It .... 54-62 A Home-made Hive 63-65 How TO Build a Bee-House 65-68 Short Rules for General Management . . . 69-71 IXTRODUCTIOX. WHEN a bee-keeper has only a few stocks of bees, and these are kept for amusement, it matters very little whether he keeps a note-book or not; but when a large number of bees are kept for profit, it is absolutely necessary that accurate entries be made of all observa- tions and operations. There being no satisfactory note- book to assist the bee-keeper in this work, the following Tables have been arranged in the hope that they may supply a long-felt want, frequently expressed to the author. There are sufficient Tables for one year's entries in a large apiary, and the moderate price at which this Note-book is issued will place it within the reach of every bee-keeper. To those who are in a position to do so, it would greatly assist the science if they would record observations with respect to the weather, and for this purpose Tables I. and II. will be found useful. At present very little is known as to the relation of the secretion of nectar in plants in re- gard to the weather, and if reliable statistics from various districts could be collected for a number of years, the laws regulating the production of honey might be discovered. Most of the other Tables are so simple as to require no explanation. Chapters on making hives and bee-houses have been added in this edition in response to the frequent applica- tions for this information. This Note-book is intended as a pocket companion for the bee-keeper, therefore a few rules on general manage- ment of bees, such as he may require, are given at the end. For the complete and practical management of bees in moveable-comb hives the bee-keeper is referred to the British Bee-keeper's Guide-book, by the same author. 8 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, A /I,fi4-4i6 London, W.C, Jan. 1908. J_^X^-' -*- -^ 4 I.— DAILY OBSERVATIONS FROM SPRING TO AUTUMN. Month of Year Date. Hour. Height of Barometer. Thermom. Wind. W General account of the [''eather. lugatheting What Flowers in bloom. Month of May. 22 ! 9 a.m. | EXAMPLE FOR FILLING IN 29.23 I 64.2 I S.E. , YEAR 1908. Clear. I Good. White Clover. GENERAL OBSEEYATIONS. 6 L— DAILY OBSERVATIONS FEOM SPRING TO AUTUMN. Month of Year Date. Hour. Height of Barometer.; Thermom. Wind. General account of the Weather. Ingathering What Flowers in bloom. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. I.— DAILY OBSERVATIONS FROM SPRING TO AUTUMN. Month of Year Date. Hour. Height of Barometer. Thermom. Wind. General account of the Weather. Ingathering What Flowers in bloom. GEXEEAL OBSERVATIONS. 10 L-DAILY OBSERVATIONS FROM SPRING TO AUTUMN. 3Ionth of Year Date. Hour, Height of Barometer.! Thermom. Wind. General account of the Weather. Ingathering What Flowers in bloom. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. il 12 I.-DAILY OBSERVATIONS FROM SPRING TO AUTUMN. Month of Year Date. Hour. Height of Barometer. Thermom. Wind. General account of the Weather. Ingathering What Flowers in bloom. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. 13 14 L-DAILY OBSERVATIONS FROM SPRING TO AUTUMN. Month of Year Date. Hour, Height of Barometer. Thermom. Wind. General account of the Weather. Ingathering What Flowers in bloom. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. 15 16 I— OBSEEVATIONS DURING WINTER. Month Year Date. Hour. Height of Barometer. Thermom. Wind. State of the Weather. Observations made on Individual Stocks, II.— OBSERVATIOXS DUEIXG WIXTER. Month Year 17 Date. Hour. Height of Barometer. ' Thermom. Wind. State of the Weather. CibservatiOE-s made on Individual Stocks. 18 ''IL— OBSERVATIONS DURING WINTER Month ■i<^sj'^^^^^^ j"^- i P Year. -J^^ kSJ Date. Hour. Height of Barometer. Thermom. Wind. State of the Weather. Observations made on Individual Stocks, II.— OBSEEVATIONS DURING WIXTER. Month Year 19 Date. Hour. Height of Barometer. Thermom. Wind. State of the Weather. Observations made on Individual Stocks. 20 IT.— OBSERVATIONS DUEIXG WIXTEE. 3Ionfh Tear Date. Hour. Height of Barometer. Thermom. Wind. State of the Weather. Observations made on Individual Stocks. II.— OBSERYATIOXS DURING WINTER. Month Year 21 Date. Hour. Height of Barometer. Thermom. Wind. State of the Weather. Observations made on ' Individual Stocks. 22 III.— OBSERVATIONS RESPECTIXG QUEENS. Year No. of stock. Description of Stock, When Queen commenced to Lay. Month. Day. of Queen Race. Size. Colour, Prolificnesj General Remarks. III.— OBSERVATIONS RESPECTING QUEENS. 23 Year No. of Stock. Description of Stock. When Queen commenced to Lay. Month. Day. Age of Queen Eace. Size. Colour. Prolificnesi General Remarks. 24 IV.— QUEEN PtEARIXG. Year Nnc.enj No. No. of - tnok from which Que en- cell emoved Date of ^ ; +„ lutro- Reuioval of Queen. duce 1 to Nucleus. Date of Hatctiing of Queen. Commenced to Lay. Race. Remarks. IV.— QUEEN REARING. 25 Year Kuclens No. No. of ."tnck from which Queen-cell removed Date of Removal of Qaeen. Queen-cell intro- duce i to Nucleus. Date of Hatching of Queen. Commenced to Lay. Race. Remarks. 26 v.— NUMBER OF BROOD COMBS IN STOCK Month No. of Stock. l' 2 3 4 5 6 7I 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 ' 1 - 1 1 1 i j EXAMPLE FOR FILLING IN :— 18 I I I I 3 I I I I I I I I WHILE STIMULATING BROOD-REAEIXG. 27 Sprimj r/ 190 , 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2S 29 30 3] General Remarks as to Brood-Reariug, &c. — 1 — ! i 1 1 17 1 I I I ini 28 v.— NUMBER OF BROOD COMBS IX STOCK Month No. of Stock. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 — j 1 i 1 1 1 1 1 1 ! 1 1 i i , 1 1 I 1 « 1 1 WHILE STIMULATIXG BROOD-REARING. 29 Spring of 190 . IS, 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 General Remarks as to Brood-Rearing, &c. 1 1 1 j ^ i 1 1 ■ 30 VL— SWARMS. Year Month Day. No. of Stock Descrip- tion of Stock. Natural | Artificial Swarms. First. Second Maideo Nucleus Bydi vision Race. Remarks as to Method of makinpT Swarms, 4o. VI.— SWARMS. 81 Year Month Day. No. of 5iock Descrip- tion of Stock. Natural | Artificial Swarms. First. Second Maideo Nucleus Bydi Race. Remarks as to Method of making Swarms, &o. 32 VIL— PRODUCE OF THE YEAR 190 Honey and AVax. Month Day. No. of Stock Extracted Honey. Weight in lbs. Quality, From what bloom. lib. Sectn. C MB HONET. I Wax. Other :Seotn. From what bloom. Weieht in lbs. VIL— PRODUCE OF THE YEAR 190 Honey and "Wax. 33 Month Day, No. of Stock Extracted Honey. Weight [i;;' QnaUty, From what bloom. Comb Honey. lib. Other Sectn. Sectri. From ■what bloom. Wax. Weight in lbs. Value. 34 VIII. — FOOD TABLE and General Reaiarks on each Stock. Year No. of Stock. ^onth. Day. Description of Feeding. Quantity of food in ibs. General Remarks. -~ VIIL— FOOD TABLE akd General Remaeks on each Stock. 35 Year No. of Stock. Month Day. Description of Feeding. Quantity of t cod in lbs. General Remarks. 86 yill. — FOOD TABLE and Geneeal Remarks on each Stock. Year No. of Stock. Month Day. Description of Feeding. Quantity of fc ood in lbs. General Kemarks. VIIL— FOOD TABLE and General Remarks on each Stock. 37 Year No. of Stock. Month. Day. Description of Feeding. Quantity of b ood in lbs. General Remarks. 38 yill. — FOOD TABLE and Gexeral Eemarks ox each Stock. Tear No. of Stock. Month Day. Description of Feeding. Quantity of b ood in lbs. General Remarks. yill. — FOOD TABLE akd General Remarks on each Stock. 39 Year Xo. of Stock. Month Day. Description of Feeding. Quantity of b ood in lbs. General Remarks. 40 IX.— AUTUMNAL Year General Remarks on the Year. No. of Stocks No. of Stocks lost iu Spring Winter. No. of Stocks Autumn Natural and | Aetificial Swarms. Total No. ofColonies prepared for Wintering' INSPECTION. 41 Produce in Honbt and Wax. Extracted, ist : and QaaUty. QuaUty Comb Honey, 1 lb. Other Section, sizes. Wax. Value of Produce. Value of Bees fold. £ s. Total Income. Total Ex- penditnre. Profit per Stock. £ s. d. 42 IX.— AUTUMNAL Year. General Remarks on the Year. No. of Stocks No. of Stocks lost in Winter No. of Stocks Natukal and I Aetificial SwAEMa. Total No. ofColoniee prepared for First. Second Maiden Naclens Division Wintering INSPECTION. 43 Produce in Honby and Wax. Extracted. 2nd Quality. Quality Comb Honey. 1 lb. Other Section sizes Wax. Value of I Valne of Produce I Bees Fold. Total Income. Total Ex- penditure. £ s. Profit 1385? Stock. s. d. ! ! 44 X.— WINTERING Put into Winter Quarters Autumn, 190 . Day and Month. Description of Hive. United I Description of with No. Wintering. No. of Frames, Quantity of Food. TABLE. 45 Examined in Spi'ing, 190 Day and Month Condition of Bees. Condition of Queen. Quantity of Brood. Quantity of Food remaining United to No. Cause of Loss. Com- menced Feedins. General Remarks 46 X.— WINTERING Put into Winter Quarters Autumn, 190 . Day and Mouth No. of Stock. Description of Hive. Race. United with No, Description of Wiiitering. Ko. of Frames Quantity of Jfood. TABLE. Examined in Spring, 190 47 Day and Month Condition of Bees. Condition of Queen. Quantity of Brood. Qnantitv or Food remaining United to Xo. Cause of Loss. Com- niei ced Feeding. General Remaiks 48 XI.— INVENTORY OF STOCKS. Year ■.T„ I Description ^°- of Hive. Race. Cost of Total Value of Hive. Bees. Stock. £ s. ' d. £ I s. d. £ s. d. Present Value of Hive. Bees. £ s. d. £ I s. I d. Remarks. XL— IXVEXTORY OF STOCKS. 49 Year >'o. Description of BUve. Race. Cost of Hive. £ s. d. & Total Value of Stock. & s. d. Present Value of Hive. I Bees. £ s. d. I £ s. d. Remarks I ° 60 XII.— INCOME AND Yea7- Month. Day. Eeceipts. s. d. EXPENDITURE. Year 51 Month. Day. Expenditure. £ s. d. 52 XII.— INCOME AND Year Month. Day. Receipts. £ 5. ! d. EXPENDITURE. Tear 53 Month. Day. EXFBNDITDBE. d. ( 54 ) THE 'W. B. C HIVE. HoAV TO JNIake it. The long-continued favour ^vith wliich tlie liive designated a8 above has been regarded sliows no signs of decrease tliough more than eighteen years have passed since it was first brouglit to public notice. Nearly every bee-appliance maker in the Icingdora pro- Tlic ' W. H. (■.' Hive, minently illustrates the ' ^^^ 13. C. ' in'Jiis catalogue ; and although some makers, naturally desirous of keeping up to date, have added ' non-swarming ' and various other so-called improvements,'' the original more than holds its own as a hive for general use. .'"A striking proof of this fact oec-wrred at the ' Eoval " show of ihe D. H. HILL LIBRARY ( 55 ) year 1903, wlien the judges (one of whom was Mr. T. W. Cowaa) awarded the first prize in tlie class for most ' complete hive for general use ' to the original ' "W, 13. C.,' though staged alongside hives of the same type — and by the same makers — with ' improve- ments ' added. Since then a ' W. B. C hive has taken first prize at the ' Royal ' show every jeav in which it has been staged. So much for its past history. And if further corroboration of what is stated above Avere needed, the fact that the following par- ticulars descrii)tive of the hive in question have been reprinted four times, and as often sold out, surely affords it. It has there- fore been decided to append the full details to future editions of the Bee-k-eejpers Note BooJc, for the use of those wishing to make the hive for themselves : — Beginning with the Floor-hoard (Fig. 1), the boards forming it are ^ in. thick, tongued and grooved where joined, and nailed ou to stout battens, 2^- in. deep by 1^^ in. wide, Between the points at Fig. 1.— Floor-bocxrcl. A on sketch it measures 20 in., and the width across is 19g-in. The alighting-board projects 7 in. beyond the point A. The fonu of the entrance, as seen in sketch, explains itself; it is 15 J in, long by 1^ in. high. The Outer Case, including roof, is in three parts, the first of Outer Case. which is as seen (Fig. 2), long, 8f in. wide, and ^ in. thick. The fj'ont and back l)oards are 19;^ in. Sides, 19 X !-i^ in. of #-in. stuff. ( 50 ) Inside measure, wlicii uailed u]), IS in. across tlie front, 19 in. from front to rear. A plintli, 1^ in. wide, drops | in. below the surface of floor-board to carry off wet. Tlie slides for entrance arc of ^-in. wood, 10 in. Ions,- by Ij in. wide, and )>ass tlu'ou^^h a slot cut in the outer case along the guide-piece nailed across the front, below porch. The latter extends along- the whole front, and is 4J in. wide, with a groove cut in its lower edge to carry off drip. The second portion of the outer case is simply a ' lift,' (i^ in. deep, wood same thickness as lower part, and needs no explanation beyond Fig. ?.— Lift. reference to Fig. 3. This ' lift ' may be removed to reduce the height of hive for wintei', but wc leave it on always ; it keeps off cold winds when examining hive in the early season, and forms a roomy covering for plenty of top packing, &c. The Hoof is very simple, foi'med with a view to lightness, and being thoroughly rainproof. The sketch (Fig. 4) will make the main points in its construction ])lain ; for the rest, the front and back pieces are ^ in. thick, 20^ in. long, 2| in. deep at ends, rising to 3|- in. in the centre or ridge ; sides are of -l-in. stuff, 20^ in. long, 2^ in. deep. Along the lower edge of side-pieces a rabbet is cut |- x | in. deep. This allows the roof to sli]) over the Fig. 4.- Roof. lower portion of the outer case, and so dispense with a jdinth while effectually keeping out the wet. The top of roof is of h in. wood, each jiiecc being 24 x 12 in., and they meet in the centre, the ridge-])iece (of 3 x | in. stuff) being cut on the under side to cover the joint as shown, so that no water can i)ossibly get in. The ( 57 ) front and back i'oof-])iecos (cut as .shuwu on page 02) complete the outer case, and we need only add that each of the separate parts fits easihj over the other — no ' tightness ' anywhere so long as bees cannot enter fi'om outside. The Bodif Box (Fig. 5) is 14|^ x 15| in. inside measure ; it liolds ten standard frames and a division-board (or dummy), along "with two strips of thin wood, § in, wide and 16|^ in. long. The front and back boards are |^ in. thick, 15^ in. long, by 8^ in. wide ; side pieces, ITy^ in. long, 9 in. wide, and f in. thick ; the strip of Fig 5.— Body-box. -wood D (10| X 1| X 1 in.) nails on the outside to enclose the frame ends as shown. Prior to nailing on this strip, a i)iece of wood (f X I in. full) is secui'ed in ))Osition level with the top edge of front and back boards, along which are nailed the tin angle-pieces, foi'ming the ' metal rumiers ' whereon the frames — fitted with ' AV. B. C. ' ends— work. The Shallow -fraiite Box, or sur]ilus chamber (Fig. 6) is an exact counterpart of body-box with two exceptions : first, the depth is reduced by 3 in. ; secoiul, the front and back Itoards are Fig. 0.~Sliallu\v Fi-aiuc- Box. only 15^ in. long. Tlie capacity of this box is ten shallow-frames 5 2 in. deep, with ordinary ends, and two thin slips of wood, or eight similar frames fitted with wide ' ^^'. B. C. ' ends. ( 58 ) Tlie liive, as described, is without legs, and we use tlie Stand (Fig. 7). To a casual observer, the stand is simply four legs and four side-pieces nailed together, and will perhaps suggest a very Stand. fragile, shaky affair. Eut it is as firm and rigid almost as if made of cast iron, and the secret of this firmness is in the peculiar way in which the leg is cut, and tlie ' collar ' of Avood fitted on to it. To any one who understands the use of a bevel, the sketch (Fig. 8) of one leg here given ex- plains itself to a joiner, but the amateur may i-equire a few Avords of explanation. So let him take a piece of scantling 3 X 2i in. and cut up into lengths, as sketch (Fig. 9), according to the number and height of the stands rcquiicd. He then arranges the legs in pairs and marks them off with the bevel, to give a ' splay ' of about 21- in. from the corners, so that, when cut, the legs are ' splayed ' outwards on all sides. The idea will be seen in dia- Avhen the ' collar ' — Fig. 8. 10), and f in. stuff, on, and the gram (Fig made from is nailed sketch (Fig. 7), given sisting ' set ' of the legs pressure is used. boards used. _/ ^ Via. 1(1. Stands must be mad and 2h in. wide — stand completed as in above, there is a le- fiom whichever side to fit the floor- \~ FiK, The 'eke' (Fig. 11) may be described as a slice, 3 in. deep, from the lower side of the body-box (Fig. 5), and, beyond stating that the four slips of wood shown on the upjier edge are for keeping ( 59 ) it in ])Osition wlien fixed, tlie sketcli exiilains itself. This ' eke ' may be used for giving- space below combs in winter, and, having served this pu7'pose, by reversing and setting it above frames in early spring, it helps in ' tucking in ' additional warm wrappings. Finally, when set below the shallow-frame box (Fig. G), it converts the latter into a full-sized brood-cliamber for standard frames. Januanj 1904. ^\. B. C. In the foregoing somewhat lengthy description we have given full details of the ' W. B. C. ' hive, in order that there may be no mistake with regard to the form and measurements of its various parts. It was absolutely necessary to do this in view of the numerous so-called ' ^' . B. C. ' liives now on the market, differing more or less in important details to such an extent that we decline to acknowledge the right of makers to so designate them. At the same time we admit the difficulty some amateur joiners will tind in working out a necessarily long array of figures and frac- tions of inches. The same thought evidently occuri-ed to our friend Mr. Eobert Peebles, of Edinburgh, an experienced bee-keeper, who himself used no other hive but the one in question. Anyway, Mr. Peebles some years ago kindly took the trouble to write for publica- tion in the British Bee Journal an alternative plan, wliicli would not only overcome the difficulty, but, as he said, would render ' the making of a " W. B. C. " hive as plain as A B C We therefore append JNIr. Peebles'' plan — witli his own illustra- tions — as described bv himself. Mr. Peebles' Plax of Making a 'W. B. C Hive. In order to assist those who are able and willing to help them- selves in constructing a ' V\ . !>. C hive, I have prepared a plan and ( '•<• ) two scetious, ilrawii to tlie accoin])an_viiig scale, wliioli will, I believe, place the details and nieasurenicnts of this most useful hive withia the power of any such to eoniprehend or, indeed, commit to memory while workiuii'. PLAN. ^ ...?;* .. iK" - . . -^ 1 1 1 1 y ~ - i/j 'W- - - 1 --- ^ 1 71 -^ jsa ■Si. p 1 -n 1 " ^ 1 -lf= — !-}- — H 1 1 1 1 1 1 l.i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 I 1 1 1 1 J, 1 ^1 i Kecjiing strictly in view the original description as given h}^ the designer, and avoiding technicalities and fi-aetional parts of an inch as much as possible, the principal dimensions will, for all practical ))ui'poses, be found correct. The outline tracings are 12 ins. (i ins. Scale. i ft. Ins 2 ft. Feet. from drawings of my own hives, made in ISI'I?, and the following description applies to them : — The floor-board, covering of i-oof, casings, body and surplus- boxes, are made of selected American yellow pine half an inch thick off the saw, and if cut with the perfection of nowadays, all the dressing required is a skim over with a hand-plane to remove the saw marks. If this is attended to, it will be found, when the hive is put together, that the outside sizes marked on plan tally ( <51 ) with the principal inside dimensions originally given by ' ^^^ B, C himself. The frames of the stand and roof, as well as the hive propci", are dovetailed (not simply nailed) together. "N^'here I'equired screws are alone used, and these are previously dipped in paint, the over- laps and plinths being screwed from the inside. A\ here the wood, overlaps, it gets two coats of white or red lead and oil previously. There are no hand-holes, the plinths of the case and the ledges on ssss^s^s^s ■.^^^^^^v■^v■w^^^■-^w.'■^^\<\^'? Section on line A. B, boxes filling the requisite. The plinths are bevelled on inside edge as shown. It will be observed that the end-j)ieces or kerbs are also half an inch thick ; this is necessary for hinging the narrow flaps to — one of which is shown i)artly open — the other shut down. These flaps are used primarily for covering the exposed ends of top- bars, and for keeping the surplus chambers in position. I have great pleasure in preparing the tracings and desci'iption for your personal consideration and for the benefit of your readers. My desire has been to make everything simple and easy to under- ( 62 ) stand by an amateur joiner of ordinary intelligence. For myself, I will grudge no labour of mine if it will belp to make the ' W. B. C.' hive proiterly and easily understood. When the description and drawings of the hive first appeared in print I at once detected a Section on line C. D. few slips, easily remedied by a practical joiner ; but the thing most needed was sectional drawings to explain things without so many detailed measurements. I therefore say, AVhy cannot the ' \\'. B. C hive be made as plam as A B C ? It shall ! KOBERT PeEBLKS. ( 03 ) A HOME-MADE HIVE. Constructed froji Used Boxes. By Harry Clarke, Used boxes are not, as a rule, advocated for the making of bee- hives, I know, on account of the joinino- up required if tlie wrong sort of boxes are used ; but from tlie right sort of boxes very good hives can be made. I enclose a pliotograph of one made by myself from boxes (see page 64), and, as will be seen, no paint has been used to hide imperfections. The boxes used are : — (1) An egg-box ; (2) lobster-box : and (3) 'Quaker Oats' box. The cost of the boxes is Is. If?. The Stand. — Cut four pieces from the thickest board of an egg- box, 26 in. long and -ii in. wide. Put the pieces in pairs and nail each pair together; then at one end cut slanting from 2 in. at the bottom to full width of the hoard at the top, far enough back to allow a 6-in. alighting-board to bo nailed on. Then cut two pieces and nail together to form the crosspiece at the back, measure from the back 19^ in., and till up to the alighting-board with another piece of the egg-box. Floor-hoard. — For this take the end of a ' Quaker Oats ' box, and after cutting off the dovetail ends cut two pieces from the other end of the box and nail on to the sides; this will not only make the floor-board the full width, but will keep it from twisting. Cut out entrance in the centre of the front, | in. deep by 9 in., and back into the floor-board about 2 in., then gradually slant up to level. Outer Case. — Take the four cross-pieces of the egg-box ; these will be found to measure 2\ by 19|^ in. by f in. Cut two pieces 18 in. long, and two pieces 19|^ in., and after planing nail them together, forming a bottomless box 19|^ in. square. Then cut from the sides of the egg-box three pieces, 3 in. wide, to form plinths for the back and sides of the outer case ; these serve the double purpose of keeping the floor-board in position, and preventing the body-box from being moved out of its place in rough weather. The entrance-slides can be made by cutting one piece of wood ^ in. wide, and one piece 1^ in. wide, nailing together, so as to form a rabbet. Xail on to the front of the hive, level with the ( (>^ ) bottom of tlio outer case, and fit two jiieees to slide in tlie groove. For the pore/?, cut two small brackets, and nail on a board 10|- in. long by 4 in. wide. Body-box (^or Brood-chamher). — Take the four pieces of the lobster-box measuring 94^ in. by 20 in., cut two jiieces 8^ in. by 17g- in., and two pieces. 8^^ in, by 16 in., the latter to be chamfered on the top edge. Nail these at equal distances from each end of the longer pieces, so that the inside measurement is 14^ by 16 in. Hi\ f madu from Used Boxes. This is important. The space to the end of the side jiieces can be filled up with the pieces cut off in reducing, nailing them a little lower than the chamfered edge to form a finger-hold ; and two other pieces about 2 in. Avide, nailed up to the end to keep the frames in position, finishes the body-box. Lift. — Take one of the 6-in. pieces of the egg-box, and make another bottomless box, the same outside measurement as the outer case of the body-box, but with i)linths nailed on all round. Hoof. — Cut two pieces from the side of the egg-box, 20 in. long and 4 in. wide ; also two other pieces, 6| in. by 19| in, Mark the centre of the latter, and cut off slanting to 4 in. deep on each side ; then nail the four pieces together. For the top, use the two sides ( (i5 ) ut" a ' Quakfi- Oats " box, iiieasuriDg 1 ft. by 1^ ft., aud a further piece 2 in. wide, uailed along the ridge, to prevent any wet getting througli the join. This will tit over the lift or body-box, and, to prevent it going too far down, four small strips should be nailed inside, about -^ in. from the bottom. HOW TO BUILD A BEE-HOUSE. By • A A\'oRKER Bee." For details of construction to accompany tlie sketch-plan sent, 1 am afraid that I should find it an easier job to build the house than tell how it should be done. I say this because I am more used to handling tools than the pen, so please correct mistakes. First then we take the^^oor ; — (1.) Get two lengths of stuff 7 ft. 10^ in. by 4 in. by 2 in. ; mark off 2 in. from each end for mortise 1 in. thick in centre of 4 in. way. (2.) Next take two pieces 5 ft. I'-'i in. by 4 in. 7 ^ Piough &; Tongue ntaich ioarcUng ^ I Fig. 1.— Plax. by 2 in., mark 2 in. off each end ; cut tenon to fit mortises. Knock together. (3.) Get two pieces of batten lii in. by f in. : nail on inside bottom edge to take the ends of middle joist. Cut three 4 in, by 2 in. to fit between, so that the top edges come level ; fasten all firmly together. Keep all rounding edges upward. (4.) Give a coat of black varnish all over. Lay on 7 in. by 1 in. tongued and grooved S4uare-edge matchboards and fasten same down. We now come to the front : — (5.) Take two pieces 2 in. by 2 in. red deal 6 ft. long ; mark off 2 in. each end and one 2 in. in centre, and mortise same, then take three rails 2 in. by 2 in., 7 ft. 10^ in. ; tenon these ends ; ( fiH ) drive well together. Our next job (G) deals with the hade of house. For this use two pieces 8 ft. loug ; mark off 2 in. each end, 2 in. in centre. We then need thi'ce rails same length as front ; tenon and drive these together. Finally we come to the ends of our house. For these cut three pieces 5 ft. iS^ in. for end opposite door. On the inside of these screw an iron angle-bracket. Put these latter so that when the l)aek and front are in place the respective squares can be screwed to the rails of back and front end, one of whicli has the door in it. (7.) Cut one piece 5-ft. (>|— in. c \ \ J(a/iers I ' '^ i ' Window strung ] on central pivols \\N^ .0 lJLL Fig. 2.— Elevation. board, find centre, and maik (iff width of door each side ; the door is four boards wide, i.e., two boaixls in width on each side of centre ; mortise for ujirights ; tenon uprights to tit. Bore a small hole in bottom of uprights (to take a J-i"- ii'O'i l'''')' ^^^ ^iovc hole in floor to correspond ; then screw two more of the angle-brackets to (Mid of this rail. (8.) Place floor where it is to stand on four bricks. Fix up the front and back on it, and stay them in theii- places. Screw the end rails u]> in position. The framework will now be in its proper jdace. Get some pieces of 2 in. by 2 in. scantling for rafters ; notch them a little to bear on front and back (do not nail them down). You will now need a few cabin-hooks and eyes, and these must be fastened on so as to be easily hooked or ( c^7 ) uiiliookc'd, Nail on |-in. matchboards, letting them project over the frame 2 in. each way. Be careful that an extra rafter is placed 4 in. from each end of frame, and that tlie roof-boarding- is only fastened to this so that the roof may be lifted off if required for the purpose of shifting-. Nail f-iu. boards on back, well ]iainting tongues and grooves wher- ever the wood bears against rails. Eepeat these directions with the end opposite door, except that the last board on each side must be screwed., and on no account must the boards be nailed to joists. For front get a 4 ft. long by 2 ft. 10 in. high, 3 in. by 2| in. casement or window fi'ame, hung in centre on pivots so as to swing the sash l\jz.JC^ V Fig. 3.— Section at A, B. round easily. Rebate it round the thickness of board ; fix in centre of top half ; board it round. The end for door is made in tlie same way, except that the two outside boards are sci'ewed. It will then be seen that the frame of house rests with bottom- rails on floor ; framework to be made so that the outside of frame is flush with outside of floor. The |-in. boards will then cover frame and sides of joists, and also kee]) the whole thing rigid. The floor carries the whole weight of house. If constructed like this, one will be able to take the house to jiieces for moving if required. The door is made to suit oponing, fitted with rim-lock, and hung with 1-in. T-hinges. -Doui' is shown as opening inwards in sketch; but' it mighrbe niore conveniently ( •'■'^ ) opeaed outwards to give extra room. Under the window inside fix a bench, as shown, consisting of three widths of 7-in. by 1-in. tongued matchboards ; under tliis two shelves, as shown, are made of l:J^-in. by |-in. battens; nail on to ledges, leaving a space between each batten; fix bottom shelf 3 in. above floor, the other midway; fill up space from bottom shelf to floor with strip of wood ; hang two long narrow doors to close openings between shelf ; fit them nicely, and when complete this makes a good place to keep oxtracting-frames and sections; a few balls of naphthaline are placed under bottom shelf ; fix shelves to back on brackets ; make all inside fixtures removable. Kig. 4.— Side View. In corner fix up a small platform 1 ft. high, 24 in. square, for extractor to stand on. Two brackets of wood 2-in. by 1-in. are next wanted. Hinge them on to a piece of 2-in. by 1-in. stuff, and screw this against back, letting one be an inch higher than the other, and fixing them about 3 ft. 10 in. ajiait. Then get a piece of white wood 4 ft. (J in. long by 17 in. wide, and in this make V-grooves 2 in. apart, cut lengthways. Screw some small brass ])lates on its edge. When done, jilace this on the brackets for a draining-board to stand boxes of shallow frames on after being through the extractor. It can also be used as an ' uncapping-stand.' Cover the draining-board with a couple of coats of pure shellac varnish, and tlien it will be able to be kept clean with little trouble. { <59 ) SHORT RULES FOR THE GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF MOVEABLE-COMB HIVES. T.— SPKING. During favourable wcatlier at the end of Marcli, take tlie opportunity of examining and ascertaining the condition of every hive. Contract the size of the hive witli division-boards, so that the bees have only as many combs as they can occupy. Examine each comb as it is removed, and ascertain the presence of tlie queen. If she has commenced to lay, she ma}' be further stimulated b}' uncapping some of the honey-cells. Gentle feeding, either with syrup or soft candy, should also be resorted to if the bees are likely to run short of food. If the colony is found queenless, unite it to one having a fertile queen. Should the queen be a drone-breeder, she should be destroyed, and the bees united to another colony. Keep the hives well covered and warm, and disturb as little as possible. Take care only to open on warm days, so as not to chill the brood. As brood increases and the hive gets crowded with bees, breeding may be further stimulated by spreading the brood very cautiously, and continue gentle feeding with liquid food. It is better to give the food at night, to prevent robbing ; also, for the same reason, open hive-entrances only in proportion to the strength of the colony. ^Mien warm weather induces frequent flights, provide a drinking-trough for the bees, and induce them to visit this by adding a little honey and salt to the water. A\'here natural pollen is scarce, give pea- floui-, &c., as long as the bees will take it. As breeding and the strength of colonics increase, add frames with empty comb or comb-foundation. It takes about six weeks to build up a colony ( 70 ) of sufficient strength to take advantage of an early flow of lioney. Prepare for queen-rearing early in April, aceoixling to the instructions given in the BriiisJi Bee-l-eeper^s Guide Boole. In the beginning of May, if the weather be favourable, the extra jmcking used for winter may be removed, and the frames and bees transferred to a clean hive. This done, the hive dealt with is cleaned and dried thoroughly, then used for the next stock operated on, until all are gone through. Continue gentle feeding until the incoming honey exceeds the daily consumption. Be on the look-out for foul brood, and if present commence treat- ment as directed in Guide Book without delay. Only change hives as directed above where all stocks are known to be healthy. II.— SUMMER. Prepare racks of sections for use by putting comb-foundation in the boxes, and when the bees begin to store honey in large quantities put on another rack of sections below the first. As fast as any of the sections on the top are completed, they should be removed and stored away in crates. Two or even three racks of sections may be worked at the same time. Towards the close of the season the sections may be finished off in one rack. To prevent the bees swarming, give them additional room in advance of their requirements. Should the bees persist in swarming, remove all the combs, give frames of comb-foundation, and return the swarm ; tliis will generally stop the swarming fever, and not interrupt the work in the sections. Put shallow-frame supers on those colonies intended for extracting, and extract at suitable intervals. Make artificial, swarms if required, and check swarming by cutting out queen-cells, extracting honey, and removing frames of brood. III.— AUTUMN. Examine all hives, feed when necessary, and unite all weak colonies. Introduce queens to queenless stocks, and if necessaiy to reduce the number of frames, leave oidy as many as the ( 71 ) bees can well cniwd. and clo?e up witli divisiun boards. About 25 to 30 ])Ouads of food is sufficient for the bees to winter on, all of whieli beyond 5 or (J pounds should be sealed over. ^lakc passages over the frames by adopting any of the jdans recom- mended in the Guifle Booh. Place warm coverings above frames, and reduce the size of entrances. Prepare honey for market, sort the sections into first and second quality, and put into crates holding twelve to twenty-four. Put the extracted honey as soon as possible into jars, before it begins to granulate, and label neatly. It cannot be too strongly impressed on the minds of all who keep bees for profit, that one of the main factors in insuring success is the thorough preparation of all stocks in autumn for the work of the following year. This means making sure that every colony is headed by a prolific queen, has plenty of bees, a full supply of sealed stores, and is housed in a dry, rainproof hive. Second swarms, or casts, hived late in the summer are often found weak in bees when examined in autumn ; in such cases 2 or 3 pounds of bees, driven from, swarmed skeps, are of the greatest service when added in autumn, and generally make the best and strongest stocks the following year. In considering the important bearing of autumn bee-work, if well done, on the success or otherwise of the following year, and. the increasing favour with which the custom of building up stocks from driven bees is now regarded, it may be well to strongly advise those who adopt this method of increase to go about it in the right ■way. To begin with, each new colony formed must have about 4 poimds of healthy bees and a young queen. Hive them on four frames fitted with full sheets of foundation (wired) and two frames of ready-built combs, if available, the latter being placed on the outsides of the foundation. This done, about 15 ])ounds of cane sugar, made into good thick syrup, will be required, and must be given warm in a rapid-feeder, renewing the supply as required, and always giving the food at nio-htfall after the bees have ceased flying for the day. Cover the feeder well, in order to maintain the warmth and keep the bees busy comb-building ( T2 ) (luriu<4' the cool niglits of autuiiin ; it will also (.■imblc tlicni to .seal the cells as tilled. Not only so, but if operations aiv coni- meuced by the middle of August, a good liatch of brood will be reared before cold weather sets in, thus securing the advantage of autumn-bred bees, which are invaluable for early work the following year. On the other hand, driven bees are of far less value when obtained in late autumn, and cannot be expected to do well unless hived on fulh' built-out condjs. IV._WINTEK. If properly attended to in the autumn, the bees ought not to be disturbed until the spring. Shade the entrances of hives, and j)revent the sun's rays entering to entice the bees to come out. Guard against the attack of birds and mice. Clean and prepare hives for spring use, and ]iurchase or make any new apparatus required, so as to be in readiness in the spring, lioil u]) old combs and extract wax. Shoidd feeding have been neglected in the autunni, place a good-sized cake of soft candy above feed-hole in quilts, or under the (]uilt over the cluster of bees. For full information upon working Moveable-Comb Hives, read and study the British Bee-keepers Guide Bool; by the same author. As a knowledge of the natural history and habits of the honey bee is of the greatest assistance to the bee-keeper in his i)ractical work, he is i-ecommended during tlie winter months to study 2^he lloneji Bee : its Natural Ilistori/, Aiiatonn/, and Physiidofiy, by the same author. London ; Printed by Stbanoewaks and Sons, Tower Street, Cambridge Cirous, W.C. BEE PUBLICATIONS^ &c. TO BE HAD AT THE OFFICE OF THE ' British Bee Journal ' & ' Bee-Keepers' Record.' Works by T. Yl. COVTAN, FX.S., F.G.S., &c. BRITISH BEE-KEKPERS' GUIDE-BOOK. New and Enlarged Edition. 69th Thousand, i.f. 6iT. ; or post free. u-. Sj. is. net ; postage, ihd. MODERN BEE - KEEPING. Ninth Edition, thoroughly revised, 6d. ; or post free. -;d. BEE-KEEPING : Its E.xcellence and Advantages. 3*^'. post free. THE BEE PEOPLE. 3^-. 6d. ; postage, ^d. SIMPLIFIED QUEEN-REARING, is. ; postage, id. COMMERCIAL QUEEN-REARING, is. ; postage, id. FORCING THE QUEEN TO LAY. is. ; postage, id. BABY NUCLEI. 2,.-. : postage, id. FOUL BROOD REMEDIES. I. For use ia Hives a^ a Preventive of Infi NAPHTHOL BETA. For use in Medicating Bee Food. is. per packet post free. NAPHTHALINE. For use ia Hives a^ a Preventive of Infection. In boxes, 6d. and ij". po;.t free. THE ' REID ' GLASS HONEY-TASTER. In case, 6d. : postage, id. PURE CANE SUGAR. For Bee-Food and Household purposes, at Current Rates. -■^11 the above may be had at the prices affixed on receipt of remittance. Cash to Accompany all Orders. Office; 8 Henrietta St., Covent Garden, London, W.C. The Honey Bee Its Natural History, Anatomy, and Physiology. By T. W. COWAN. F.L.S., &c., &c. Thoroiiglily Revised and brougJit Up to Date. Illustrated with Seventy-three Figures of One Hundred and Thirty-eight Illustrations. In 'Art' Covers, price 2s. 6d. ; postage T^d. to any part of the Postal Union. The British Bee Journal Established iSjj. Edited by T. W. COWAN, F.L.S., F.R.M.S., &c., and W. BROUGHTON CARR. PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY. PRICE ONE PENNY. Subscription : One Year, 6s. 6d. Six Months, 3s. 3d. Post free, home and abroad. Posted in time for delivery with morning letters. The Bee-keepers' Record Estahlishcd 1S82. Edited by T. W. COWAN, F.L.S., F.R.M.S., &c., and W. BROUGHTON CARR. (Conducted by W. Broughton Carr.) PUBLISHED MONTHLY. PRICE TWOPENCE. Subscription : 2s. 6d. per Annum. Post free, home and abroad. Both the above may be ordered at all Railway Bookstalls. Office: 8 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, London, W.C. NInetetitth Edition. 69th Thousand. Revised and Enlarged, Illustrated. BRITISH BEE=KEEPERS' GUIDE BOOK TO THE MANAGEMENT OF BEES IN MOVEABLE»COMB HIVES, and the Use of the Extractor. By THOS. W. COWAN, F.L.S., F.G.S., &c., &c., Chairman British Bee-keepers' Association. NOTICES BT THE PRESS. In an article in the Bee-keepers' Record of December, 1907, ' D. M. M.,' Banff, says : — * The feature of bee-publications this season is the issue of a new and greatly enlarged edition of that masterpiece of "Bee Guides" just launched (in the market by Mr. T. W. Cowan. Confident in the value of his work, the author has issued an edition of nineteen thousand copies, and the wisdom of this greatly enlarged issue at once becomes manifest. The illustrations have been considerably added to, and all over greatly improved. Several new chapters have been added, and special prominence given to bee-dis(;ases. For this alone the book is invaluable, but it has so many other good features that it must be seen and read to be fully appreciated. I predict for it a ready sale. Every one entering our ranks should possess a copy.' * This hand-book meets a great public want, for it is astounding what an interest has been excited in bee-keeping recently, and inquiries are constantly coming to hand from all quarters as to the best book on the subject. Well, here is one in simple form, yet very comprehensive, which deals with the whole matter both in a scientific and practical way, and it is copiously illus- trated.' — Chamber of Agiiculture Journal and Far7ners Chronicle. * This work is not a history of the science of bee-culture, but a practical guide compiled from notes and every-day experience.' — Live Stock JournaL ' A volume which has the far from inconsiderable merit ol being the result of its author's practical experience.' — Publishers' Circular. ' We cannot conclude without strongly advising all our readers to purchase nd use this very useful guide to bee-keeping.' — The Farmer. * The " Guide Book " contains nothing but practical matter ; it is well illustrated, and will be found an exceedingly valuable work, not only to the amateur, but also to the advanced bee-master.' — The Daily Free Press. Paper covers, Is. 6d. ; postage 2\d. Cloth gilt, 2s. 6d. ; postage 3(/. Above covers postage, home and abroad. Of all Hive-Dealers, Booksellers; Messrs. MADCWICK, HOULSTON, & CO., Ltd., 4 Avt Maria Lane, London ; and < BRITISH BEE JOURNAL' OFFICE, 8 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, London, W.C.