The Monticellonian., 1904-06-16
iNvALIDS WATCH THE BEES.
Hives Constructed So as to Permit Ob- servation of Their Interest
 ing Operations.

| "An observation hive is invaluable in | the nursery, the kindergarten, a chil- | dren's hospital or a conyalescents' | home. In fact, it is an ideal diversion | for .shut-ins' of whatever age or degree of bondage" says a writer in Country Life in America. T speak from experi- ence, and my enthusiasm reaches fever heat and almost takes away my power ot l expression as l realize the futility of mere worGs to describe the charm which holds one spellbound while watching the almost enaless variety of work going on in the hive. The stately progress of the queen as she carefully inspects each cell before depositing an egg in 1t, closely at tended by a band of workers who feed her and wait upon her assiduously, is very interesting. Some of the bees hang for hours in long strings (reminding one of rope portieres) making wax. Others are diligently shaping cells from the completed product. Others bring in the various bright-colored kinds of pollen and pack it away in the cells. Some bring in the nectar, and others evaporate it until it is of the right consistency for sealing up in the form of honey. The ventilation and temperature of the hive also receive much attention from the workers.
 As l live on the fourth floor, and am permanently unable to sit up at all or to have pillow under my head. unable to see even the tree tops except as re- fected in mirrors arranged to give me that pleasure, you can see how limited must be my range of occupations, and how eager 1 am that others similarly cir cumstanced may have this added to their possibilities.
 "A hive takes up but little space. Mine had bottom board. or floor, about four inches wide and two feet long. The sides were glass. about ten inches high and IS inches long, just far enough apart to give room for one sheet of honey comb, with space enough for the bees to work on both sides of it-i. e., perhaps one and one-half inches clear on the in- side. The ends and top were of wood A board similar to the bottom board above referred to. with an opening of sufficient size for the projecting end of i the bottom to pass through, was fitted across the windowsill and screwed Gown When the window was closed it rested on this board. the hive was held secure ly in place and there was no opening for the bees to get into the room. The en- trance to the hive is hole in the floor so arranged that one end is inside the hive and the other end outside the window
 .'The cost is moderate. as little ma terial is required. and almost any man who has a few simple tools and mod crate skill in using them can make one 1 in a short time. Then a sheet of comb with the necessary bees-the workers and a c.esn-whch can readily be pro- cured from any practical beekeeper, completes the outfit.
 If one knows nothing about bees it might be desirable to have an apiarist inspect the hive occasionally, to see that all is we'll But I had mine an entire summer without requiring expert atten- tion It is delightful to have bee book to which you can refer for the cor reboration of your discoveries. With such an opportunity to observe the in- terior life of the hive even helpless per son feels some of the joy of original re search One soon learns to interpret the various movements, though occasionally some are decidedly perpleXing.
 One especial charm of this hive as an 'invalid's pastime' is that, notwithstand ing the varied and active life, so near that it can be closely observed with7
  absolutely no fear of being ones self molested; neither is there any noise CT confusion. Simply closing ones eyes leaves one with no reminder of an out siGe presence.