The Honey Bee 



1389 



Fig. 41. Hoffman frame, showing 

 method of jJutting in foundation starters 



it, but it is less economical 

 since double the number 

 of supers and frames 

 must be purchased and 

 handled for the same 

 amount of surplus. 



In using this size of hive 

 for comb lionej prcduc- 

 tion, it is often desirable 

 to contract it, using fewer 

 frames with dummies in 



place of those omitted, es- 

 pecially in the case of 

 newly-hived and shaken 

 swarms. The wide hive 

 gives larger surplus ca- 

 pacity, which is often de- 

 sirable. 



The ten-frame Langs- 

 troth hive is lQ}i inches 

 wide, 20 inches long out- 

 side measure, and full 

 9 1/2 inches deep. The 

 frames are 9% inches 

 deep by 17% inches long. 

 There are several styles of 

 these — the plain staple-spaced, metal-spaced and Hoffman. For 

 a self-spaced frame, the latter is one of the best and has stood the 

 test of time. The advantages are that they can be handled in 

 groups, are quickly spaced when closing a hive ; the hive can be 

 readily carried about the apiary or into the winter repository 

 without especial care, and when the bees are properly confined to 

 the hive, it is ready for hauling or shipment to any distance. A 

 follower should be used at one side of the hive and held tightly 

 against the frames by a wedge or spring. 



A plain, simple cover and bottom board is best. The cover 

 should be light and covered with tin or galvanized iron, pre- 

 ferably the former on account of lighter weight ; then there should 

 be an under cover of wood three-eighths of an inch thick, cleated, 



Fig. 42. Detail of Hoffman frame, 

 showing position of beveled edges, and 

 frame resting on metal rabbet in hive. 



