Wired Frames. 195 
fourths (34) of an inch from the side of the hive. This 
makes it easy to put in the frames without crushing the 
bees. It might be supposed that the bees would build 
combs between the lower end of the frame and the hive, 
but I have never yet seen a case of the kind, and I have 
used such frames now quite extensively for several years. 
These frames reverse very easily, and I do not know a 
single person who has thoroughly tried them, who does not 
value them highly. Here again let me suggest that in 
making changes,a few be tried first, and not all till we 
know we wish them. 
As the use of comb foundation secures straight combs, 
with no drone cells, it is very desirable. When this is 
fastened by merely pressing or sticking it to the top-bar, 
it is apt to sag and warp, hence it is becoming quite the 
custom to wire the frames. (Fig. 70.) This insures per- 
fect safety if we wish to ship our bees, and secures against 
sagging or bulging of the foundation. If the foundation 
is put on with the Given press as the foundation is made, 
No. 36 wire is used; if pressed on by hand No. 30 wire 
is better. The timber for frame should be thoroughly 
seasoned, and of the best pine or whitewood. Care should 
be taken that the frame be made so as to hang vertically, 
when suspended on the rabbets of the hive. To secure 
this very important point—true frames that will always 
hang true—they should always be made around a guide. 
A BLOCK FOR MAKING FRAMES, 
This may be made as follows: Take a rectangular board 
(Fig. 71) eleven and one-eighth by thirteen and a quarter 
inches. On both ends of one face of this, nail hard-wood 
pieces (Fig. 71, e,¢) one inch square and ten and three- 
fourths inches long, so that one end (Fig. 71, g, 2) shall 
lack three-eighths inch of reaching the edge of the board. 
On the other face of the board, nail a strip (Fig. 71, ¢) 
four inches wide and eleven and three-eighths inches long, 
at right angles to it, and in such position that the ends shall 
just reach to the edges of the board. Midway between the 
one inch square pieces, screw on another hard-wood strip 
(Fig. 71, @) one inch square and four inches long, parallel 
