48 



little finger of one hand, and with a rapid movement to o 

 side jerk off the cloth and at once place the crate in positi 

 over the frames. If these movements are performed quickl 

 it will be possible to place the crate before a bee rises abo 

 the frames. The crate should be placed with its narrowest si 

 to the front of the hive on an 11-frame hive, and with : 

 broadest side to the front on a 10-frame hive. The front si 

 of the crate should rest on the top bar of the front frame, a: 

 the sides of the crate should so cover the shoulders of t 

 frames as to leave no spaces through which bees or heat c 

 escape from the brood-chamber. If for any reason the cr£ 

 is placed over less than nine frames, fit a board 16^ inches Ion 

 I inch thick, and as wide as is necessary, to lie across the bo 

 box behind the dummy, so as to prevent bees getting behi: 

 the dummy ; the top of this board should lie flush with the to 

 of the frames. Now replace the lift, and pack well with clot 

 all round and over the crate, to prevent the escape of hef 

 taking care when doing so to pack well round the edge of t 

 crate, and to avoid moving the crate out of position. Th 

 place wedges between the back of the hive and the top bar 

 the dummy, to keep the latter in position. 



If the conditions are favourable for collecting honey, and t 

 stock is strong, it should be capable 

 111. Tiering. taking another crate in about seven to t 

 days. Under exceptional conditions 

 might be advisable to give a second crate on the fifth or six 

 day after giving the first. It is most important to provi 

 additional storing accommodation for the bees in advance 

 their requirements, as otherwise they will probably start que 

 cells and prepare for swarming (91) which should be avoided 

 the production of honey is the object in view. The objection 

 putting on two crates at once is that to do so would probat 

 chill and therefore retard the progress of the hive. In exce 

 tional circumstances the experienced beekeeper may put on U 

 crates together if he cannot add the second crate at the prop 

 time, but this practice is one that should be avoided if possib! 

 If the weather has been favourable for honey gathering aft 

 putting on the first crate of sections, the beekeeper shou 

 examine that crate on the seventh or eighth day after it w 

 put on, to ascertain if the bees are ready for a second era1 

 To do this, the covering of the crate should be removed ji; 

 enough to permit of examining the back of the back row 

 sections ; the follower should not be removed, nor should t 

 sections be disturbed, but the upper edge of the follower m 

 be drawn back against the springs to widen the area of ob8er\ 

 tion. If it is noticed that the combs are crowded with be< 

 or that they have partially drawn out the foundation sheets 

 the sections, a second crate may be added if the weather 

 favourable ; but if the weather is unfavourable it should n 

 be added until there is a change for the better. If, howevi 

 there are very few bees on the sides of the three back sectio 

 next the follower, or if these sections have not been drawn o 



