go A MANUAL OF BEE-KEEPING. 



inches high (inside measure), with a 5-8th projection at 

 each end, which rests in its appropriate notch in either 

 the back or front of the hive. The 

 accompanying engraving (Fig. i6) 

 represents the frame filled with 

 comb, in which state the comb be- 

 F'g- i6. comes so firmly cemented to the 



frame as to admit of its being handled with the greatest 

 facility." 



This, which we may call the father of our frame hives, 

 although very good, has shown sundry inconveniences 

 easily remedied. In the first place the crown-board, 

 although " keyed," is very liable to warp, and thus gives 

 the Bees more air than is at all times desirable ; again, 

 when firmly propolised down by the Bees it was difficult 

 to move without a great shock and irritation to them, so 

 now it is usual to make the crown-board in three or four 

 pieces (strips), and not screw them down at all. The 

 Bees will soon make them fast, and indeed ofttimes too 

 fast ; then one piece at a time can be removed, thus 

 exposing but a small surface of the hive's interior if 

 desired, and a small piece of wood of course is more easily 

 detached from the propolis adhesion than a large one. 

 The notches forming resting-places for the ends of the 

 frames have often been found a great nuisance ; the 

 Bees, who are careful architects, will insist on firmly 

 fixing each bar in its place ; and where removal is fre- 

 quently desired, considerable trouble occurs in detaching 

 theni, the small dividing blocks between the notches 

 often breaking away, until three or four are run together. 

 This inconvenience may be obviated by reducing the 

 height of back and front to 8 J inches, and instead of the 

 notches to form one plain rabbet, in which the frames 

 are placed ; but here we must have some contrivance to 



