280 COMB. 



the edge of the comb to the proper place, commenc- 

 ing at the end furthest advanced, and pressing each 

 towards it, so that the centers of the comb corres- 

 pond with the center of the frame ; this can usually 

 be done by taking out the sash and honey-board. 

 When the object cannot be accomplished fully in this 

 way, lift out the frames, and after straightening each 

 comb, place a store comb at the opposite side, and 

 then place the newly built ones next; this places 

 the projections in contact, one against another, which 

 will cause the bees to cut away passages, and thus 

 make even comb. If the new comb contains brood, 

 as well as the old, then they may be alternated ; but 

 if the new comb contains honey only, then alternate 

 with sealed honey comb. Care must always be taken 

 to keep the brood compact, unless the amount of bees 

 is large ; in which case, one or two empty frames 

 may alternate. Store combs and drone combs should 

 be moved to the sides. In changing the combs, it is 

 desirable to present a straight surface a sealed one 

 to be preferred ; the new one, being built parallel to 

 it, will be straight. If the space in the hive is such 

 that the combs are again made to diverge, then place 

 them to the opposite side, as before. A little timely 

 attention to this particular will ensure combs suffi- 

 ciently straight for all practical purposes.* 



* Some bee-keepers recommend what they erroneously call 

 " comb guides." (A comb guide proper is a sharp edge or corner 

 in the frame, from which the comb is to depend, the bees usually 

 choosing to follow this edge, rather than diverge to an even 



