154 



AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



Queries a|id Replies. 



Space Oyer tlie Brood-Frames. 



Query 750. — Is a deep cover over the 

 brood-frames (say from 3 to 6 inches) more 

 desirable thau one leaving just a bee-space 

 there ? — Minn. 



No. — James Heddox. 



I think not.— C. C. Millee. 



No, indeed. — R. L. Taylor. 



I think not. — Eugene Secoe. 



A bee-space. — Mes. L. Haeeisox. 



We prefer an 8-inch cover, for all pur- 

 poses. — Dadant & Son. 



A bee-space is preferable, and is all 

 that is necessary. — C. H. Dibbeex. 



All things considered, I prefer the bee- 

 space from M to 5^16. — H. D. Cutting. 



Yes, unless a shade-board is used, or 

 the hives are set in a shady place. — 

 A. B. Mason. 



A deep cover is cooler in the Summer, 

 and allows a necessary space for a quilt 

 in Winter. — P. L. Viallon. 



No, but in out-door wintering such a 

 cover is of advantage, with an absorbent 

 cushion on the frames. — G. L. Tinker. 



Yes, with me it would, for I use a mat 

 and honey-board, and tlie lid will serve 

 to fill with absorbents for wintering. — J. 

 M. Hambaugh. 



I use one 8 inches deep, and like it 

 very much as a protector of the sections 

 in Summer, and of the chaff cushion in 

 Winter. — G. M. Doolittle. 



No. For out-door wintering, it is better 

 that there be no space above the frames. 

 Instead, let there be passages through 

 the combs below the top-bars. — M. 

 Mahin. 



A deep cover is more desirable, from 

 the fact that it will, if properly con- 

 structed, admit of more ventilation in 

 Summer, and in Winter it can be packed 

 with absorbing material. — J. P. H. 

 Brown. 



It is bettor in the Spring, as we can 

 pack warmly above the bees. At other 

 times I see no advantage. Of course we 

 should use a shade-board in mid-sum- 

 mer. — A. J. Cook. 



I do not understand the question. If 

 it refers to wintering, I should say, use 



the deeper cover with a mat or quilt over 

 the frames ; if to Summer, the bees 

 should not be allowed above the tops of 

 the frames, except to go into the sec- 

 tions, etc. — J. E. Pond. 



So much depends on what you really 

 mean, that a single answer is not likely 

 to touch the point on which you wish 

 information. In the Winter time, I pre- 

 fer to have a shallow super, which, per- 

 haps, you call a "deep cover," adjusted 

 on top of the brood-chamber, in which 

 some good absorbing substance can be 

 put, to absorb the surplus moisture aris- 

 ing from the bees ; and to give room for 

 circulating air above the packing, to 

 keep it dry. In the Summer the bee- 

 space is all that is needed. — G. W. Dem- 

 aeee. 



The question is too indefinite to an- 

 swer intelligently. There are times and 

 circumstances when a space over the 

 brood-frames could be utilized advanta- 

 geously, even though it is not generally 

 thought advisable to have it there. Par- 

 ticularly in Spring, or in Winter, for 

 protection, if they remain out-of-doors. 

 — The Editoe. 



Wired Comb-Foundation, etc. 



Please answer these questions through 

 the Ameeican Bee Jouenal, of which 

 I am a reader, and would not like to be 

 without for double the amount it costs. 



1. Should comb-foundation be put into 

 wired Langstroth brood-frames so as to 

 fill the whole frame all around ? or 

 should a little space be left between the 

 foundation and the bottom, or on the 

 sides, to allow the bees to pass from one 

 frame to another ? 



2. Is there any danger of comb-foun- 

 dation breaking in transit, when it is 

 very cold or freezing weather ? 



Math. Radee. 

 Raven Stream, Minn., Jan. 9, 1891. 



[1. It is good policy to leave a little 

 space each side and at the bottom, to 

 prevent "bulging," when worked out by 

 the bees, as well as for passages. 



2. Comb-foundation will not admit of 

 much handling in very cold weather, but 

 in transit, if it is properly boxed, there 

 will be no danger of its being damaged 

 by ordinary transportation. — Ed.] 



Supply Dealers desiring to sell our 

 book, "Bees and Honey," should write 

 for terms before issuing their Catalogues. 



