AUGUST 15, 1913 



■Tosepli Uriu ' 



inibined liive-tcinl, frame, tongs, \n-y, 

 scraper, etc. 



last produced the tool shown in one of the 

 illustrations. I have, however, given it tlie 

 more digniHed name of " hive-pliers." 



The one thing that arrested my attention 

 most was the firm grasp of a comb single- 

 lianded, leaving the left hand free to use 

 the smoker, bee-brush, etc. The frames are 

 pried apart, then grasped with the pliers, 



573 



one hand only being resjuired to handle 

 them, allowing' the free hand full use of 

 the smoker. When using the brush, the 

 comb is grasped by the pliers, dropped on 

 the front of the super sufficient to jar off 

 the bulk of the bees, the remainder being- 

 brushed off. These tools are not laid down, 

 hence the gain in time. 



During a rush of honey the comb is just 

 pulled over the edge of the super, and the 

 bees brushed off'. 



The pry forces the nut and bolt to fasten 

 the two jaws together, the reverse-nut end 

 being- used for a hammer. 



It is self-evident that the pliers save 

 stings. The hands do not come in such 

 close contact with the bees; yet greater is 

 their importance and value in handling dis- 

 eased colonies. The hands do not touch the 

 comb, only the plier jaws, and these are 

 easily disinfected by burying- them in the 

 hot barrel of the smoker. 



The first use of the pliers is awkward be- 

 cause one wants to lay them down and us-;- 

 his fingers; but after one thousand frames 

 have been handled by them the experienced 

 apiarist will have learned their use and 

 their value. 



AVasco, Cal. 



[Hive-iJliers or tongs have been suggest- 

 ed by a number of beekeepers, several of 

 the suggestions having appeared in these 

 columns before; but extensive producers 





Tile tool in operation, 



