The dictionary of daily wants / [Robert Kemp Philp].

Robert Kemp Philp

Date:: [1861]

Credit: The dictionary of daily wants / [Robert Kemp Philp]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

39/1152 page 29

$f with chalk, three grains; rhubarb powder, «ix grains. To be divided and taken as above. See also Aloes, Calo.mel, Castile SO.A.P, Castor Oil, Colchichm, Colo- CYXTii, Croton Oil, Epsoji Salts, JAL.A.P, Rhubarb, Senna, &c. apiary, a place for keeping bees, the name of which is derived from apis the Latin word for bee. This adjunct to a farm or cottage is greatly to be recommended, not only on account of the interest attached to it, but also for the profitable produce which it aflbrds from a comparatively trifling out- lay, and with little care or trouble. The aspect of a hive should be towards the south, and during the winter months the entrance of a hive should never face the sun, as the bees are by that means tempted forth in the morning, and are probably overtaken by the cold and dark, and perish before they can return. The situation of the hive should be in a sheltered part of the garden, protected by a wall or hedge from the cold and biting winds. The poj/tion of the hive should be about two feet from the ground, so as to keep out the humidity arising from the earth, and also to guard it against the entrance of toads, mice, and other enemies to the bees. The board on which the hive stands should be nailed firmly to the pedestal in a somewhat slanting di- rection, to admit of the rain running off The arrangement of the hives should be in a right line, but if their numbers be too great to admit of this it is more advisable to place them one above another than in double rows. As bees' use much water, the hives should be situated in the neighbourhood of a stream ; but where this is not practicable shallow pans of water should be placed within their reach. The entrance to the hive should be clear, and unobstructed by shrubs or plants, so that the bees upon their return home weary and laden may reach the hive without difficulty. Cleanliness in bee-keeping is of the utmost Importance; the stand upon which the hive is placed should be cleansed about four times a year, the first cleansing taking place at the commencement of spring. During the win- ter the snow that has accumulated on the hives should be assiduously brushed away to prevent dampness, which is very injurious to bees. And tlie entrance of the hive should also be frequently examined in order to re- move any damp masses which may have formed to the exclusion of the air. The construction of hives admits of great variety, the most common form is that of a thimble or flower pot in an inverted position. The Rolish hive, which has many advan- tages, is made of wood, standing from three feet and a-half to five feet higli, and of a conical shape. The size of the hives should be in proportion to the swarm, so that the labours of the bee and the capacity of the combs may correspond. One of the best constructed hives is that known us Rayne’s Improved Cottage Hive, as shown in the accompanying engraving. In tlie spring, when a hive is well peopled ■with many thousands of young bees, a par- ticular period arrives 'vhen they look out for 29 another asylum than that of their mother. A sicarm, therefore, is a colony of bees which forsake their native home to establish them- selves in another. In England tlie swarms generally appear in the mouths of Jlay and June, by which time the new hives should be placed to re- ceive them; or where this may have been neglected, a, pail, box, or large garden-pot will sometimes act as a substitute in retain- ing the swarm. It seldom happens that the first flight of a swarm is to any great distance, but it gene- rally alights on a neighbouring bush, and every exertion should he then made to hive it. The best method is to watch the swarm in silence, and when it has collected, an empty liive should beheld immediately beneath the bush or branch upon which the bees hang suspended, and which being tapped, with ai quick firm stroke, will cause the bees to fall into the new hive. Sometimes the swarm will settle upru the stump of a tree, or other situation similarly inconvenient. In these cases a hive prepared with sugar and beer should be helU over the crown of the s'ivarm, and gradually and gently lowered until the swarm is secured. It sometimes happens that a swarm divides itself into different clusters ; this is a certain sign that there are several queens, each cluster having one. These clusters should not be molested, but quietly watched until they incorporate, which they will pre- sently do. When swarms from different hives form a junction, as they sometimes will, it will be prejudicial to the apiarian, and to separate them tlie following process may be pursued. The swarm being collected into one hive, a sheet must be spread on the ground, the hive must be held over it, and giving it a smart knock the bees will all fall upon it; no fear need be entertained of their flying away, and the queen should bo imme- diatcdysought for. Having detected aqueen in the midst of a group, cover it with a small boll glass, and then proceed to divide the bees as nearly us po.ssibIe into two equal portions. For Ibis purpose two hives must tie in readiness, ami liavliig allotted a projier number to the (|ueeii, \i ho is at laiT.t, the hive should be placed in a remote jiart ol gurde^i, and as fur as possible from th»$

The dictionary of daily wants / [Robert Kemp Philp].

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