BAR FBAME HIVES. 19 



placed on the opposite sides of the top bar, which thns fits equally well 

 either way round. The bars being fin. wide, the diataonce naUs all project 

 fin.,makinguptheliin.preTionalyreferredto. Between the hive sideand 

 frame 1 only 5-16in. is required, and therefore a hollow ia out at g, into 

 which half the length of the pin passes, while at the opposite point a 

 pin projects 5-16in, from the hive side to retain the frame in correct 

 position. The dummy (h i), which usually hangs next the hive side, and 

 gives play to the combs by its removal, is simply a double board the 

 same size as a frame, and having the grain of its respective thin halves 

 running in reverse directions to prevent warping or breaking. These are 

 fixed to each other by means of fin. screws. One side is cut away (as 

 shown at h) so as to admit half the length of the distance pin. This 

 cavity extends from top to bottom of the dummy,- or it could not be 

 drawn out of the hive without disturbing the comb next it, while at i, on 

 the left side, a distance pin is fixed in the dummy, and projects 5-16in., 

 giving again the half interspace required. Combs 1 to 6 are shown in 

 situ, and by having the dummy as in the figure, a small swarm, instead 

 of weakening itself by excessive distribution, would be cosily confined to 

 about half the hive ; and in some cases it might be an economy of heat, 

 and in other, ways advantageous to stiU further reduce their working 

 space. It is here worthy of remark that removing the dummy from the 

 end of the hive beyond frame 11, where it would usually remain, and 

 placing it in any part does not prevent the 11 frames being accommodated 

 as before, for if the dummy stand as in the figure outside No 6, the 

 frame beyond it, id est, No. 7, will touch the dummy at one of its ends, 

 and so give space for the full length of the distance pin on the last 

 frame. To return to our supposed small swarm ; as its comb increases 

 and its numbers multiply, an unoccupied frame may be lifted out, when 

 the dummy and half the frames containing combs should be pushed to 

 the right, and into the aperture thus formed in the colony the empty 

 frame should be inserted. The bees will immediately labour with unusual 

 earnestness to fill up the gap in the brood nest, and as quickly as the 

 comb is built the queen will insert eggs within it. The operation is to be 

 again and again repeated until the whole hive is filled. Small swarms, 

 very gently but yet continuously fed, as elsewhere described, will, 

 under this system, not only quickly fill their hives, but wiU produce 

 that numerous working population without which large and handsome 

 supers will be always looked for in vain. These lines on management 

 must be regarded as a parenthesis, since many bar frame hives now in 

 existence will admit perfectly of its application. The depression in the 

 hive side affording room to the ears of the frames, should extend as at c 

 and d (Fig. 18), giving finger way on both sides of the dummy, and 

 materially helping in its convenient withdrawal. 



Fig. 19 represents the Cheshire crown board, the edge of which is seen 



B 2 



