49 



jecond crate should not be given until it has been ascertained 

 ' a further examination that one is required. To place the 

 cond crate or subsequent crates in position, proceed as fol- 

 ivs : — First, place the lift on the ground just by the hive, and 



it place angle-v?ise, the new crate of sections ; then, without 

 ting the crate which is on the hive , gently twist it from side to 

 le to insure that it is free ; if it is propolised, a knife blade or 

 rnscrew may be used to free it; then, with the stick in the 

 bduing-cloth, place it against one side of the crate on the hive, 

 ize the crate with both hands , gripping the stick of the cloth 

 th the little finger of one hand (Fig. 36),Uft the crate, and in 

 moving it draw the cloth across the frames and leave it on 

 em , completely covering them ; then hold the old crate just over 

 t clearof the cloth, so as to drive the bees up into the sections, 

 id then place it correctly in position on the top of the new 

 Eite, taking care to see that it is so placed as to prevent bees 

 caping between the crates. Any necessary examination of the 

 ve should now be made ; a new frame of foundation will prob- 

 ily be required; see brood-spreading (90). Then place both 

 le crates together on the hive and pack them precisely as 

 :plained above for placing the first crate (110). It is very 

 iportant that the crates should be well covered with packing 

 aterial on all sides as well as on the top ; if the crates are not 

 ell covered all round, the outside sections will probably be 

 completely capped, the honey in the cells failing to ripen 

 ving to want of heat. A good method of packing two or more 

 jred crates, is to wind a long strip of flannel, flannelette, or 

 her suitable packing material, round the sides of the crates, 

 id to fasten it with twine or pins lihen put on the lift, and 

 mplete packing at the sides and top ; the method often adopted 



forcing the packing material down between the crates and 

 t with a narrow lath, is not so effective, and unless very 

 refully done, the operator is liable to press the crates out of 

 eir proper position and thus to leave spaces by which heat 

 id bees may escape. If the weather continues favourable, in 

 lout ten days later a further examination should be made to 

 certain if a third crate is required. If the back sections of 

 e upper crate are then crowded with bees, it may be assumed 

 at a third crate is required ; the same procedure should be 

 opted in placing it. If it is necessary to use the divisional, 

 ite in lieu of an economic crate, it will be found convenient 



screw laths to the front and back of the three divisions of 

 is crate so that it may be used as one crate. If the stock 

 very strong, and the season is good for gathering honey, it 

 ay in certain circumstances be advisable to tier up to four or 

 'e crates in a similar manner, but a second lift will be re- 

 tired for more than three crates. This lift, which may be 

 rchased, or made locally, should be deep enough to take two 

 tra crates, and made so that it shall rest on the lower lift as 

 it lift rests on the body-box, and that when inverted it shall 

 ie over the inverted lower lift, as that lift when inverted 

 les over the body-box : thus constructed, the sides of the 

 per lift will be flush vfith the sides of the roof, and a slip 



