MOVABLE-FRAME HIVES. 153 



A short frame like the Gallup (fig. 67), presents another 

 objection, the cluster being divided among a greater number 

 of frames. 



"For Winter, it is evident that the sides, of the clusters 

 A. B. and C. D. (fig. 67) are better protected than the ends 

 G. H. and E. F., and also that the long frahies protect the 

 center of the brood-nest much better than the short ones." — 

 ("A B C") 



Even a cross-bar through a frame (fig. 59) will hinder 

 the laying of the queen, so that brood will often be raised only 

 on one side of it. Any one can easily try this. 



303. From the^foregoing, it appears that a square frame 

 is the best for breeding. But square frames are objectionable. 

 If they are small, they do not have enough space in each 

 frame for Winter supplies, above or behind the brood. If 

 they are large, they are unhandy, and their depth makes them 

 difficult to take out without crushing bees. We have used 

 some sixty hives, American frames, 12%xl2%, for many 

 years, and this is our greatest objection to "them. 



304. A dcsper frame is still more objectionable for the 

 same reason, and because the surplus cases on top are too re- 

 mote from the brood. (378.) In early Spring, the bees have 

 more difficulty in keeping the lower end of such frames warm, 

 as the heat always rises, and a pai't of it is wasted, warming 

 up the stores, which in this hive are all above the brood. In 

 hot weather, the combs are also more apt to break down from 

 heat and weight combined. Such a hive is deficient in top- 

 surface for the storing of honey in boxes. 



305. It is thus evident that Mr. Langstroth and Mr. Quin- 

 by were right in using frames of greater length than depth, 

 especially as these frames allow of more surplus room above 

 the brood, a matter of some importance. 



306. But we must beware of excess in anything. A 

 shallow frame has too little honey above the cluster in Win- 

 ter, and in long cold Winters, like that of 1884-5, a great 

 many bees die for want of food above them, in hives con- 



