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THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



^ 



Getting Honey in Frames. 



A TAPER READ BEFORE THE MICHIGAN BEE- 

 KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION, DECEMBER 



IGth and 17rH, 1874. 



I will here give a description of the 

 small frame for surplus, as we use them 

 here. First, the frame that holds the 

 small frames we call a case. It is simi- 

 lar in construction to the clamp that holds 

 the boxes but requires more accuracy in 

 construction, more lumber, and some 

 glass. 



The Langstroth hive we use measures 

 on the outside 21i inches in length by 16 

 inches in width, and I will give the di- 

 mensions to fit that size, as I think I can 

 convey the idea more accurately in that 

 way. The size can be varied, however, 

 to tit any hive. 



21':^ in. (top view.') 



Take % inch thick stuff by 0^ wide, and 

 cut two pieces (ends) 14i inches long, rab- 

 bit the upper inside corner \ inch only 

 ■J inch deep, to receive the ends of frames; 

 cut two pieces (middle divisions) 14| 

 inches long, 5| inches wide, f inch plump 

 thick; cut four pieces, (sides) | inch stutt', 

 2 inches wide by 21i long. Now, nail 

 the lower side piece on one end (with thin 

 sixes) flush witli the bottom, then put in a 

 form, 6f inches wide and press the divis- 

 ion against the form and nail, keeping the 

 bottoms all flush; in the meantime put on 

 the upper side piece, and place a movable 

 strip of wood, gauged to 2^ inches wide, 

 between the side pieces while nailing, so 

 as to leave the space for tlie glass always 

 the same width. Then cut the glass with 

 a gauge and it will always fit, press the 

 glass down against the cuds of the divi- 

 sions and tack alight wooden stop against 

 it, and your (;ase is ready for the frames. 



The top side-piece should be flush with 

 the top of end-pieces, and the top of di- 

 visions should be \ inch lower and on a 

 plane with the rabbit in end-j)ieces. The 

 stuff should be cut with circular saw and 

 gauge, as it is cheaper and more accurate. 

 There is a space of i inch between the 

 honey board and top of small frames, and 

 the same space between frames when tier- 

 ed up. 



The case is to contain 24 small frames. 

 The end pieces of the firames are tight 



fitting to each other and also to the 

 case. To make the ends, get a plank plan- 

 ed at the mill on both sides, IJ inches 

 thick, a little plump, so that when you 

 put eight end-pieces side by side they will 

 measure across them 14| inches, and that 

 will leave i inch side shake, for conveni- 

 ence in getting them out when filled; eight 

 frames fill a space across the hive, (the 

 frames run the same way as in the hive.) 

 Now cut the plank into pieces 4 or 5 feet 

 long, for convenience in handling, and set 

 the gauge to a circular rip-saw ^ inch 

 from the saw, and rip the stuff off the edge 

 of the plank i >< If inches; then cut them 

 5i inches long and you have your small 

 frame ends. 



To make tops aad bottoms have a plank 

 planed H inches thick, and rip as before; 

 cut the tops 6J inches long, and bottoms 

 5| long. Tlie saw should be sharp 

 and trued to cut smooth. Nail on the 

 tops of frames in a form, so they will 

 just slip in the case without touching; 4 

 inch end shake is sufficient. Nail through 

 the top into the end and through the end 

 into the bottom. Leave projections on 

 each end of top-bar alike and nail the tops 

 and bottoms in the middle of ends, leaving 

 space on each side alike. AVhen the 

 frames are all put in there is a space ^ 

 inch wide between the bottoms of every 

 two frames and the same between the tops, 

 making a splendid entrance for the bees, 

 both before and after tiering up. 



We tliink every working bee can make 

 two or three trips per day more than she 

 can in boxes, if the field is near, making 

 one-third difference in the amount of sur- 

 plus. Use |-inch finishing nails, six to 

 the frame, four in the top and two in the 

 bottom. Stick a nice white piece of drone 

 comb 2x3 inches in the the top of each 

 frame, and when the honey yield com- 

 mences take oft" the honey-board and put 

 on a case of frames, and put a quilt on 

 top of the case or, if the cover is high 

 enough, the honey-board can be put on 

 top of the case instead. The after man- 

 agement is about the same as with boxes, 

 Avith these exceptions. 



It will not be necessary to take away as 

 much brood as with boxes, to prevent 

 swarming, as the supers are better venti- 

 lated and the clusters are larger, being 

 divided into but :] apartments, while with 

 boxes they are divided into twelve; and 

 in the second place small frames can be 

 tiered up sooner than boxes, as the en- 

 trance and ventilation to tlie upper tier is 

 as good as it is to the lower tier. 



If the yield of honey is good they can 

 be tiered up as soon as the first case is 

 filled with comb and honey, and before 



