54 



THE PEACTIOAL BEE GUIDE. 



serted; three-split (c) with the cut carried through the top and 

 both sides, which secures the foundation on three sides and 

 allows three sections to be fitted with foundation at one opera- 

 tion (258) ; and four-split, which are supplied m two pieces. 

 The latter are not much used in this country. Sections, of the 

 size indicated above, hold, when filled, one pound of comb 

 honey, and are those for which the public seem to have a pre- 

 ference. It is desirable to have the sections so split that the 

 dovetail comes on the top when the section is in position, for 

 this minimises the risk of opening- the section when removing 

 It from its crate. " Tall " sections, measuring 5" x 4J" x u". 

 and holding one pound of comb honey, and sections to hold 

 two pounds, are on the market, but they have not come into 

 general use. The objections advanced against the "tall" one 

 pound section are, that it needs a deeper crate ; requires 

 foundation of a special size; is extravagant, requiring more 

 foundation than the smaller section ; and that the mid rib ol 

 the comb is thicker, in proportion, than in the 4i" x 4i" section, 

 and therefore not so likely to be unobserved by the eater (112). 



Fig. Si 

 (a) SHORT SEPAEATOE. (6) LONG SLOTTED SEPARATOR FOR 4 BEEWA Y 



SECTIONS. 



102. The Separator is a very thin sheet of wood, zinc, or tin, 

 used between the rows of sections to secure even surfaces to 

 the combs, and to prevent the bees from drawing out the cells 

 beyond the edge of the sections. Short separators (Fig. 34, o) 

 are 4J" x 4J" x ^l ", i.e., square with the sections. Long 

 separators (Fig. 34, 6) are 125" ^ 4?" xJ^.", covering three 

 sections. Bee-ways are cut out to permit the bees to pass 

 freely from one section to another. The long separators ar? 

 easier to handle, and those made of zinc or tin will, with 

 ordinary care, last for many years. Wooden separators, being 

 so thin, require careful liandlinig' to avoid breakages. 



103. The Section Crate, or Rack (Fig. 35), is a bottomless box 

 constructed to hold twenty-one 4J'' x 4J'' sections, a follower 

 (106), and springs or wedges. It is made of two pieces 17" x 4J'' 

 >< i'', and two 14^" x 4i" x |" dovetailed together. Its internal 



