Neighbour’s Unicomb Observatory Hive
This hive is well adapted for those persons who are desirous of having the opportunity of closely examining the workmanship of the industrious and interesting inmates. It is particularly intended for a window recess or an indoor apiary, and will also be found an interesting addition to the green-house. Bees cease to appear disturbed when exposure to the light is continuous. This discovery enables the bee-keeper to gain a full inspection. The hive should be screened from the direct rays of the sun, which would worry the inmates, and be otherwise prejudicial. An aperture should be cut in the sash corresponding with the entrance to the hive, through which the bees may find egress and ingress, without being able to gain access to the apartment, as described for the ladies’ observatory hive (page 78).
The unicomb hive is constructed of so narrow a width between thin plates of glass that it admits of one comb only to be built, and, at the same time, leaves space between the comb and the glass on either side for the bees to pass and repass. It is thus made so that every bee may be exposed to view. The queen forming the most prominent feature of attention, she is readily distinguished by the greater length of her body, as well as by the attention paid her by the other bees.
The mode of stocking this hive is as follows:—Procure a strong swarm, if practicable, and let it be first hived into a common straw hive in the usual way. Take care to make the necessary preparations previous to the operation of stocking: for this purpose, at evening time, place the hive on its side, oil the ground (having already spread a sheet, or large white cloth, underneath); unfasten the side of the hive which is hinged, turn this sash quite back, very gently lift the straw hive containing the swarm; then, with a sudden shake, dash as large a portion of the bees into the unicomb hive as can be done in a few seconds. Have ready a feather or, better still (because firmer), a goose-wing; with this, quickly brush the bees off the edges of the frames, also from the rabbets against which the glass side closes, in order to prevent killing any; then gently spread them, so that the glass, when closed, shall not shut against the congregated mass in the middle. When thus ready for closing up, which should be quickly done, fasten the side, and turn the hive right end upwards, with the entrance towards those bees that are outside. The bees will not, probably, have all been ejected from the straw hive at the first brush, and will require a few sharp raps on the cloth to clear the hive. The moving mass now congregating without, upon discovering that so large a portion of their companions have found a home, with (as is generally the case) the queen safely housed, will hasten to join them. It is a pretty sight to see the labourers crowding in like a little army, with their heads pointing in the same direction, making for the desired home, which they will slowly but surely enter, with fanning wings and a happy hum.
Considerable help may be afforded by gently collecting the stragglers in a table-spoon, and shaking them off close to the entrance.
In about an hour, all the bees will have entered the hive, which may now be bodily taken to the place previously made ready for it, and which it is intended permanently to occupy,—a shelf, the size of the bottom of the hive, with a sloping piece of wood four inches wide, forms a firm bracket and a substantial stand,—these and all other preparations, such as cutting the opening, fixing the alighting-board, &c., having been previously accomplished when the hive was empty.
It will be as well to screen the hive from view for a few days, until the bees become settled in their new domicile. Although this hive is constructed of double glass, to keep up a more uniform degree of warmth, still, from the cold nature of glass, and the close contact into which the bees are brought with it, it is advisable to place flannel between the outer shutters and the glass of the hive, on both sides. Such precaution is found essential if the bees remain in this hive during whiter, and very much adds to their comfort on cold nights at most periods of the year. In the day time, in summer months, the hive being of double glass, the whole may be fully exposed to view. If the temperature of the apartment in which the hive stands be kept at 60 degrees, this extra attention will not be so needful. As soon as the bees are settled, comb-building will immediately commence, and in about two weeks’ time there will be comb spreading over the whole hive. The queen may be viewed depositing her eggs, and all the usual operations of the rearing of brood, storing of honey, and the building of combs, will be open to full inspection, with perfect ease to the spectator. As an object of lively and permanent interest for the breakfast-parlour or conservatory, the unicomb observatory hive may be regarded as infinitely superior to an aquarium or fernery.
At the Exposition Universelle of 1855, in Paris, we exhibited a hive of this description in full working; order. The bees left London on the 5th of July of that year, and were placed in the Exposition on the following morning. An entrance was made for them through the side of the building, as before explained. Our bees had no national antipathies, and they immediately sallied forth to their “fresh fields and pastures new” in the Champs Elysees, the gardens of the Tuileries, the Luxembourg, &c., whence they soon returned laden with luscious store from French flowers.
The Jurors of the Exposition awarded us a prize medal for bee-hives.