122 



THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



Sectional Honey Boxes. 



Many inquiries about sectional honey- 

 boxes are now received, and we have re- 

 quested friends Earlier & Dicer to give us a 

 description of theirs and their manner of 

 using them, which is as follows: 



The size now described is such as we use 

 on our style of hives, bvit we make them of 

 any size. The sections are made of two 

 wide and two narrow pieces. The wide 

 pieces are 6 in. long by 2% wide by }4 thick. 

 They are held together by means of grooves 

 and tenons; one groove in the centre being 

 cut }4 in. deep or K deeper tlian the rest for 

 the ends of tlie guide-strips to rest in; they 

 being 6 in. long, M wide, )4 thick. 



When the sections are joined together for 

 a large box, the wide pieces of one section 

 are put next to the narrow pieces of the 

 next section, thus forming an opening, %x 

 .5)^ in. between each section, on all sides of 

 the box. 



The sections are helrl together by two 

 pieces, 13 in. long by 14 in. square, nailed 

 lengthwise on tlie bottom, the otlier tliree 

 sides bei)ig covered with paper. At each 

 end of tlie box are two pieces, ^X in. long 

 by 3^x34 nailed on the bottom, wliich form's 

 a chamber between the box and top of the 

 brood frames. Between eacli section is a 

 division, 4}^x4}4x}4 Jn- thick, wliich is held 

 in place by springing the diagonal corners 

 against the wide sides of each section. We 

 put 5 sections in a box (any number may be 

 used) and 3 boxes to a hive; each box hav- 

 ing a light of glass .'ij^xfj in. in each end. 

 When placed on the liive they rest on the 

 frames and edges; the lengtli of the boxes 

 being across the frames brings the section 

 the same way as the frames. 



The object in reversing the sections is to 

 form the spaces between them on all sides, 

 so that divisions may be inserted if desired, 

 and the combs be built straiglit in the sec- 

 tions. We find that the combs will be built 

 straighter in these boxes without the 

 divisions, than in our old style of boxes, 



which have the sections tight-litting on the 

 sides. The spaces between the sections 

 prevents them from extending the comb in- 

 to the adjoining section. 



When the boxes are not in use for storing 

 honey they are turned bottom side up on 

 the hive. When used for storing honey, 

 turn over only one box at a time, using 2 or 

 3 tiers of boxes [if necessax-y, to give the re- 

 quisite amount of store room. Forming 

 communication between the upper and 

 lower tier of boxes by removing the paper 

 from over the openings between the sec- 

 tions in the top of boxes. When more than 

 one tier of boxes is used, we use a false rim 

 the same height as the extra tier. 



In the construction of boxes we combine 

 both the advantages of a large and small 

 box. They can be readilj'" divided by 

 simply cutting through the paper and the 

 two long strips on the bottom, and when 

 the openings are covered with paper they 

 form a tight box, ready for shipping, with- 

 out the trouble of handling small sections 

 separately. 



Several letters have been received making 

 inquiries about Harden Haines, whose ad- 

 vertisement appeared in the A. B. J. He is 

 a young man of limited experience with bees, 

 but has started out to build up a business 

 in selling imported queens. We have writ- 

 ten to several responsible men in the town 

 in which he resides, and their answers have 

 given us the above facts. He has sent us a 

 receipt for a registered letter which he has 

 sent to Italy for bees. His hopes are large 

 and he no doubt draws on his imagination 

 for much of the success which he antici- 

 pates. We would not injure a young man 

 endeavoring to start in a legitimate business, 

 but we do think he has been rather prema- 

 ture in advertising before he has safely 

 received even one importation. 



IIt^° We will send a sample of a 2fi) or 

 41b, honey box, complete with glass, ready 

 to nail, for 2.5 cents, each, postpaid. 



__ ' The bee-keepers of Maquoketa Val- 

 ley, Iowa, have formed an association; and 

 held their first meeting March 15. 



..^ "The Abbott Pocket Microscope, ad- 

 vertised on another page, is an instrument 

 of great usefulness for examining flowers, 

 seeds, plants, insects, etc. It is in a con- 

 venient form for carrying in the pocket and 

 is thus ready for use on any occasion when 

 wanted. We will send this microscope to 

 any address by mail, post-paid, upon receipt 

 of the manufacturer's price, $1.-50. 



CS^The Western Illinois Bee-Keepers' 

 Society will meet at Monmouth, Warren 

 Co., 111., on Tuesday, April 10th. All 

 friends of the bee are cordially invited. 

 Bring anything interesting to bee-keepers 

 with you for exhibition. An effort will be 

 be made to get reduced rates at the hotels. 

 A good time may be expected. 



Will. M. Kellogg. 



