ON the opposite page is given Figure I. of a perspective view of the Controllable Bee Hive, with the measurements of its exterior parts. The body of the hive is made in two parts, A and B. The lower edges of the upper part B rest upon the cleats C, attached to the outside of the lower part of A, near its upper edge—as will be seen by reference to Figures I. and II. The middle board D of the bottom is loose, and is held in place by hooks E. The middle board F, at the sides of the lower part A, are loose, hinged at their lower edges, and are held in place when closed by the buttons G. In front of the lower part A, near both its lower and upper edges, are formed slots, or bee passages, H. The lower part A is divided longitudinally into three compartments by two movable partitions. The side compartments are designed to receive the honey boxes J; and the center compartment forms the brood section. To the inner surfaces of the front and rear walls of the brood section are attached boards, forming a double thickness, to secure a more even temperature, keeping out the heat in summer and the cold in winter. The grain of the inner board runs crosswise of the outer one to prevent warping. The upper edges of the inner boards are rebated out five-eighths inch square inside, to receive the ends of the comb frames of the brood section.
Figure II. is a perspective view of the Controllable Hive, with the upper part of the case removed, showing the position of the glass honey boxes at the top, with the feeder T in the rear, and also showing the position of the side boxes J, in the large frame O. as shown more clearly in Figure III. The inner ends of the side boxes J, next to the brood section, are formed of boards C, narrower than the boxes, leaving side spaces, to allow the bees to pass in and out freely from the brood section to the side boxes. When top boxes and feeder are not on, a board called a honey board is placed over the brood section, fitting very closely, so as to confine the heat, generated by the bees, to the brood section. In winter the brood section is covered by a ventilator made as follows: Take a piece of fine board one-half inch thick. Get out two pieces, each one inch wide and twenty-two and three-eighths inches long, and two pieces of same width each ten inches long. Nail the short pieces on to the ends of the long pieces, forming a frame nine inches wide by twenty-two and three-eighths inches long, inside measurement. Over this frame tack a piece of wire cloth twenty-three and three-eighths inches long, by ten inches wide, of a very fine mesh. This frame will just fit over the brood section, and give a space between the wire cloth and the top of the comb frames of about one and three-eighths inches. Tack the wire cloth on closely, so no bees can escape when the ventilator is in place. This ventilator is to be used only in winter, as directed under the chapter on Wintering.
Figure III., on next page, is a perspective view of a set of side surplus honey boxes and their inclosing frame, with measurements of the different parts.
The brood section of the hive is twenty and one-half inches long, nine inches wide and twelve inches deep, inside measurement. The brood section contains six movable comb frames, resting on rebatings, and held at the proper distance apart at the bottom by a brace. The only plate where these frames touch the hive, is where the top bar of the comb frames rests on the rebating at the ends. To the top bar of each comb frame (on the under side) is nailed a triangular comb guide to aid in securing straight combs. Each side of the triangle is one inch wide. A piece of board one inch wide and three-eighths inch thick is laid on top of the comb frames lengthwise in the centre on this piece. The ends of the top boxes rest in the center where they come together. Notches are cut on the underside, crosswise, to admit of the passage of the bees.[13]
[13] I have exercised great care, and incurred considerable expense, in giving drawings with measurements and directions for constructing Controllable Hives, glass boxes, etc., that such of my readers as wish may be able to construct the hives and manage bees according to the new system as taught in this work. I have no time or desire to establish a business in the manufacture of hives, but if any of my readers want a full sized Controllable Hive, ready for a swarm of bees, the better to enable them to make the Controllable Hive, I will furnish them. Price eight dollars. In no case will I furnish more than one to the same address. The hive is not patent, so any one can manufacture and use as many as they wish. They can make them at their home, especially in the winter season, much cheaper than I can furnish them.
In the construction of hives use the best dry pine lumber, free from Haws or cracks, and put on a good coat of paint to protect from the weather. As the hives are to remain in the open air the year round, the best of lumber is required, and that to be well protected with a heavy coat of the most durable paint. Make close-fitting joints and nail thoroughly.
These hives, if properly constructed of sound lumber, will last many years. I have had the same hive on one stand incessantly for six years, and at the end of that time it is as good, to all appearances, as when first put there.
All who desire to construct Controllable Hives, and adopt the plan of bee management recommended in this book, can do so freely, as there is no patent on the hive, or any of its parts or fixtures.