APPLIANCES FOR SUPERING. 



55 



measurements are, therefore, isJ" x 12J'' x 4I". The |" extra 

 in depth is intended to allow for shrinkage, for it is of great 

 importance that the crate, when in use, should not be in the 

 least degree shallower than the sections; otherwise, when 

 crates are tiered up on the hives (269), the weight resting upon 

 the lower sections tends to depress the laths on which they 

 stand, and to destroy the bee space, thus leading to serious 

 mischief (83). Underneath, a frame of |" laths is placed. 



Fig-. 35. 

 SECTION CRATE. 



These carry the sections and separators, and when the crate is 

 placed upon the frames, the laths provide the necessary bee 

 space between the frames and the sections. It follows that if 

 the laths are less than i" or more than f" thick, the bees will 

 fasten the sections to the tops of the frames, and serious 

 difficulty will arise when it becomes necessary to remove the 

 crate (269). Crates are sometimes fitted with tin or zinc bars 

 instead of laths, to bear the sections. These, however, are so 



easily put out of shape, or 

 " dinged," that they can be 

 successful only with very 

 careful handling. 



104. The Divisional Crate 



(Fig. 36) consists of three 

 single crates, each holding 

 seven sections. It is used 

 towards the close of the honey 

 flow, to secure the perfecting 

 of unfinished sections, when 

 the bees would not have time 

 or honey to fill a larger 

 number (269). 



Fiir. 36. 



DITISIONAL CEATB. 



