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THE HONEY-BEE IN NEW ZEALAND. 23

glass and the board a thin spatula or wire, and then gently
turn the glass on one side, just high enough to slip under
a piece of thin zinc or tin to cover the bottom of it; remove
it, and cover the hole on top of the hive with the zinc
slide or another glass; darken the glass so removed with
a covering, place it upon the ground near to the hive, still
having the zinc or tin under it: keep it thus dark for one
or two hours: then gently raise the glass on one side and
let it rest on the edge, allowing room enough for the bees
which may be inside to escape, - this they will do in a few
minutes, and when they have all left, the glass should be
taken away, or they will return and take the honey back
to the hive. It is desirable to wait until the glass is quite
full and comb sealed over before taking it, as the greater
party of the bees in that case will have retreated to the
hive or to work in other glasses to complete them.
In all operations with bees, endeavour to be as cool and
collected as possible; do nothing in a hurry (lest you create
suspicion), and they will scarcely notice what is going on.
Contract the entrance in the winter, so that only one bee
can go in and out. Protect your hives from wet and
damp. Clean the floor-boards two or three times in the
spring, on mild days, giving them common attention to
ensure success.
The Stewarton Hive
Is composed of from four to eight boxes; the body
boxes are furnished with nine bars each, 1 1/8 inch broad,
with a space between of 3/8 of an inch approximating pretty
closely to the natural formation of the combs. The
honeybox has only seven bars for the purpose of
obtaining more massive combs. There is also a
shallow eke which is used to great advantage both as
regards wintering a strong stock and as a great means
of inducing the bees to take to the honey box, by removing
it and putting on a honey box when the hive gets quite
full and the honey season commences; a fourth or fifth
box should be added whenever the honey box is well begun,
the bars being furnished with guide-combs or narrow
strips of wax sheets.
These hives will produce upwards of 100 lbs. honey,