THE EVOLUTION OF THE BEE-HIVE. 227 



the walls of the sections, and also to construct a more even sur- 

 face to the comb. It will be noted in diagram E that there is 

 bee-space (3-16 inch) on the upper and lower sides of the sections; 

 consequently if the starter has been put in the centre of the top 

 side of the section, the cell built on either side of it is f inch, or 

 in other words, the completed comb within the section is 1^ 

 inch thick. If these seiparators are not used, the comb protrudes 

 beyond the distance required, which frequently produces disfigure- 

 ment. It will be noted that the separator K has four bee-spaces 

 similar to those in the section E. Where home-made tin separa- 

 tors are used, these bee-spaces are not necessary. In home-made 

 appliances tin or other metal is more procurable than the Ameri- 

 can machine cut. Before putting the sections in the cradle A, 

 carefully fasten the separators, wood or metal, with |^-inch gimp- 

 pins ; this keeps them in position when completing the fittings of 

 the super. If home-made tin separators are used, they must be 

 cut the full length of the cradle, and not more than 4 3-8 inches 

 wide, and fixed to the cradle so that the bee-space will permit the 

 bees to enter the sections at the bottom only. 



Cradle J is more simple in its construction than A. It has no 

 shoulders. Externally it is longer, but the difi'erence in measure- 

 ment is made up in the thickness of the wood used in the ends. 

 Instead of hanging from the rebates, it rests on two strips 

 of tin. On the underside of the rebatted ends there are strips 

 of tin about an inch wide, and the full length of the end pieces 

 of the super. Strengthen with ^-inch gimp-pins. These tin strips 

 must protrude about 3-8 inch, so as to form ledges for the cradles 

 to rest upon. Cradle J has eight bee-spaces, four on either side, 

 as shown. The bottom bar may be made one uniform width, as 

 in A. 



D is a newly-designed section imported from America by Las- 

 setter & Co. The four sides are of a uniform thickness; there is 

 the absence of bee-space seen in those of the older type. In width, 

 they are li^ in. throughout. A specially-designed separator (I) 

 has been made for them. It is termed "the fence separator." The 

 uprights are 3-16 in. thick on either side of the rails. This will 

 reduce the thickness of the combs in the sections ^ in. The bees 

 will leave bee-space between the separator and the comb. The 

 only advantage that I can see is that by containing less honey, 

 they will be the more quickly filled. 



Metal separators for sections C are best made from queen- 

 excluder zinc, the same length and width as that already men- 

 tioned. Indeed, tlie queen excluding zinc could be used for sepa- 



