A. AND M. COLLEGE APIARY. 



29 



which is gathered from various plants and flowers and is used as a cement 

 for making secure all parts and for sealing up all openings and crevices in 

 the hive, except, of course, the entrance. It is this that sometimes causes 

 the cover to adhere tightly and the frames to stick together. Lift the 

 frame by the ends of the top bars and keep the entire frame vertical, as 

 shown in Fig. 8. When it is desired to examine the reverse side of it 

 turn it up on end, without changing the hold, and always keeping the 

 comb in a vertical plane; next revolve the frame through a half -circle, 

 using the top bar as a pivot (see Fig. 9). The reverse side will now be 

 towards the operator and can be examined at leisure. This method of 

 handling is to prevent any possibility of the comb breaking or sagging, 

 and is especially necessary in hot weather and when combs are not wired. 

 It is based upon the very simple principle that the comb hanging directly 

 down from the top bar, or supported by the top bar when reversed, is not 

 nearly so liable to sag as when the comb is held in a horizontal plane sup- 



Fig. 8. Handling frames first position. 

 ( From A. I. Root, A B C of Bee Culture.) 



Fig. 9. Handling frames 

 second position. (From 

 A. I. Root, A B G of 

 Bee Culture.) 



ported by the top bar at one edge only. If the colony is in prime condi- 

 tion plenty of bees will be found clustered on all combs, the two frames 

 next the outside of the hive will be found filled with honey, much of it 

 sealed, aud the ends, and about one or two inches along the tops of an 

 other combs will also contain honey. In the central frames of the hive 

 will be found sealed larvae, which, by its even surface and dark-brown 

 color, is readily distinguished from the sealed honey, unsealed larvae and 

 eggs, each of the latter being attached by its end to the bottom of the 

 cell. This part of the hive containing eggs and larvae is designated as 

 the "brood nest" of the queen and in it or near its outer edge she will 

 usually be found. At times she appears to take little excursions to the 

 most remote parts of the hive, probably by way of exploration, and may 

 be found in a remote corner. Especially if much smoke has been used 

 in opening the hive the queen will become alarmed and make every effort 

 to elude the operator by running from comb to comb, dodging around 

 corners of the frames, and crowding under thick clusters of bees. A little 

 practice will enable the bee keeper to locate her easily. The brood nest 

 may cover the greater part of seven or eight frames during the height of 



