BEES. 19 
In handling frames the comb should always be held in a vertical 
position, especially if it contains much honey. When a frame is 
lifted from the hive by the top bar, one side is exposed to the operator 
with the comb placed vertically (fig. 11). To examine the reverse 
side, raise one end of the top 
bar until it is perpendicular 
(fig. 12), turn the frame on 
the top bar as an axis until 
the reverse side is in view, 
and then lower to a horizon- 
tal position with the top bar 
below (fig. 13). In this way 
there is no extra strain on 
the comb and the bees are 
not irritated. This care is 
not so necessary with wired 
combs, but it is a good habit 
to form in handling frames. 
It is desirable to have 
combs all of worker cells to 
reduce the amount of drone 
brood. The use of full sheets 
of foundation will bring this 
about and is also of value in 
making the combs straight, so that bees are not mashed in removing 
the frame. It is.extremely difficult to remove combs built crosswise 
in the hive, and this should never be allowed to occur. Such a hive 
is even worse than a 
plain box hive. Extra 
inside fixtures should 
be avoided, as they 
tend only to impede 
manipulation. The 
hive should also be 
placed so that the en- 
trance is perfectly hori- 
zontal and a little lower 
than the back of the 
Fig. 13.—Handling the frame: Third position. hive. The frames will 
then hang in a vertical position, and the outer ones will not be fas- 
tened to the hive body if properly spaced at the top. 
Various remedies for bee stings have been advocated, but they are 
all useless. The puncture made by the sting is so small that it closes 
when the sting is removed and liquids can not be expected to enter. 
The best thing to do when stung is to remove the sting as soon as 
397 
Fig. 12.—Handling the frame: Second position. 
