THOUSAND ANSWERS 209 



without danger of thrusting the fingers in them. Although I 

 might never jam my fingers into a plain section, the danger comes 

 when the retail grocer handles them. But even while in the bee- 

 keeper's hands, they must be handled with more care, which means 

 more time. A plain section tumbles over more easily than a bee- 

 way section. A plainer, cheaper separator goes with the beeway. 

 On the other hand, it takes a smaller case for plain than for bee- 

 way sections, although it's easier to lift the beeways out of the 

 case. 



Q. In using beeway sections, do you put the beeway at the 

 bottom, or at the side? 



A. The beeways are to allow a way for the bees to go up, so 

 they are at the top and bottom of the section. 



Q. Is there any advantage in the sections open four sides, 

 or open top and bottom only, or only on bottom? If there is any, 

 what is it? 



A. At one time it was claimed that with the four sides open 

 the bees would have more free communication, and would fill out 

 the capping to the wood better. The few that I tried did not 

 seem to have this advantage. A section open top and bottom 

 is absolutely necessary if you tier up. If you never use more than 

 one super at a time the opening at the bottom would be enough. 



Q. (a) What style of section would you advise? I had thought 

 of the ideal, S^xSxli^, plain. 



(b) Are not many of the best plain sections ruined for ship- 

 ping by the bees drawing them a little beyond the wood? 



A. (a) After trying more or less the different kinds of sec- 

 tions, I settled down some time ago upon the 2-beeway sections, 

 4J4x4J4x1%. I think this is the preference of the great majority of 

 comb-honey producers. 



(b) I don't think there is so much objection on that score as 

 there is because the plain require so much more care in handling 

 lest the fingers be thrust into the comb when they are handled. 

 More care must always be taken in setting down a plain section, 

 lest it topple over. During cleaning, the plain section is more 

 likely to be injured. In general it may be said that the projection 

 of the wood in a beeway section is a protection, although it has 

 more of a lean look than the plain. 



Q. Which section is better for the 8-frame super, the 4J4x4j4x 

 ly^ or the 4x5x15^ section? 



A. There is little to choose, but most beekeepers would prefer 

 4j4x4^xl^ to either. 



