THE EVOLUTION OF THE BEE-HIVE. 225 



X 4 in. and the outer 4J in. x 41 in., the wood being ^ in. thick. 

 They are American-made. As yet no attempt has been made to 

 manufacture them in the States. They are sokl in the flat, and 

 are very cheap. Before putting them together, take all that is 

 intended to put into use; hold or tie them firmly together, and 

 pour hot water direct from a tea-kettle over the whole of the V 

 joints. Do not let the water spread further than is necessary, 

 because if you are going to put in the starters at once it will be 

 rather a difficult matter to get the foundation comb to firmly adhere 

 to the wet wood. Under no circumstances let the dove-tails become 

 damped, because if they swell it will be a trouble to put them to- 

 gether, and cause many of them to break. The starters used in 

 them should be of the thinnest grade foundation comb made. A 

 small triangular piece ia all that is necessary for the starter. A 

 piece of foundation the full size of the section is frequently used. 

 It is a saving in labour for the bees, but it is not so good for the 

 consumer. Place the starters on that part of the sections that has 

 been cut out for bee-space, and in placing them in the cradle, 

 or whatever appliance is used in the hive for carrying the sections, 

 put the dove-tail joint uppermost ; by so doing they are not so 

 liable to come asunder. The side of the section containing the 

 starter should form the upper side of the section. 



10. Dummy or division hoard for half -size super, see No. 8. 



The little diagram, Fig. 11, is of simple construction, and 

 adaptable for the purposes required. It can be made in one 

 piece or in two ; the latter is the easier. When made in one piece, 

 select a bit of cedar or redwood, or any wood that will not warp; 

 the length of the tqp bar 19 inches, and about 3 inches wide and 

 an inch thick. Put in a saw cut not less than l\- inch from each 

 end, and Ig inch deep, and a similar cut lengthwise of the same 

 depth, but only about half an inch from the edge. When the 

 superfluous wood is removed the frame will sit neatly in it. One of 

 more simple construction is made with a strip of ^ inch soft wood 

 not less than 19 inches long, 3 inches wide, and another piece 16 

 inches long, and 2^ inches wide, nailed together in the form seen 

 in the diagram ; this will answer the purpose equally well as that 

 before-mentioned. Before using, soak it in soap-suds, wipe it dry, 

 place the frame on it in position, and lay the foundation starter, 

 so tiiat one edge rests against and along the centre of the top bar. 

 Put some molten wax in a jam tin, to which a lip has been formed; 

 hold the frame, foundation, &c., at an angle of about 45 degrees, 

 and pour the wax along the whole Icngtli of the angle formed at 



