GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 



GENEKAL COEEESPONDENCE 



GOOD COMBS ; THEIR VALUE, AND HOW TO PRODUCE THEM 



' rames ; 



BY ARTPIUR C. MILLER 



In a previous article I tried to show the 

 loss in using poor combs, and how some 

 seemingly good combs are not as good as 

 they appeared. In this i^aper I will give 

 the fundamental steps for securing combs 

 of the highest quality in the most economi- 

 cal way. The methods I shall describe are 

 those I use; and I describe them because 

 with them I get the desired results. There 

 may be better or more rapid ways, and other 

 persons might use my methods more rapidly 

 than I do. They are not new unless, per- 

 haps, in some minor things, nor are they of 

 my own invention save in two or three 

 parts ; but the union of them all is mine. 



Before I describe 

 the methods, I want to 

 lay emphasis on the 

 fact that good results 

 are due to the atten- 

 tion to every detail, to 

 having every thing 

 right, and doing every 

 thing as thoroughly as 

 possible. 



First, buying the 

 frames. Get only good 

 accurately made 

 frames — those that are 

 made of good lumber, 

 and cut with sharp 

 saws. I say, "cut with 

 sharp saws," because 

 some manufacturers 

 are not particular, and 



send out frame stock with feathers enough 

 on it to clothe a big flock of poultry. And 

 those fuzzy edges hinder and prevent good 

 work. At present prices every frame should 



be like fine cabinet work; and if they are 

 not, then try some other maker. 



When good frame stock is secured, the 

 frames must be nailed up square, and with 

 nails which will hold them so. For accurate 

 and rapid work a " jig " is indispensable. 

 Beekeepers usually say "forms;" but by 

 either term it is a device for holding the 

 parts of the frame firmly in proper position 

 while being nailed. There are all sorts of 

 devices, but I prefer the simple one shown 

 in Fig. 1, with an unnailed frame in place. 

 It is a jDlain, thoroughly seasoned straight- 

 grained white-pine board, with four cleats 

 on the front, as shoAvn, and two across the 



Fig. 2. — I'.io'; Ml f]-amc tlmt was 

 the end-bar to the top-bar. 



nailed through 



Fig. 1. — A. C. Miller's frame-nailing jig. 



back — the latter to keep it stable when on 

 edge, leaving the hands free for hammer 

 and nails. No buttons or springs are need- 

 ed if it is accurately made and the frames 

 accurately cut. 



In nailing I put two nails through the 

 lop-bar into each end-bar, and one through 

 the end-bars into each end of the top-bar. 

 This is the opposite of the manufacturers' 

 irstructions; but please remember I am 

 telling the way I work. My way is more 

 rapid ; and, from experience with both ways, 

 T like it better. I clon't have frames break 

 like the one shown at Fig. 2, which was 

 nailed the manufacturer's way. 



Rapid nailing of frames demands system. 

 The different pieces should be stacked in 

 piles, each kind by itself, and all pieces of 



