Guide for Frame Making. 197 
after which we invert the block and nail the bottom-bar, as 
we did the top-bar. Now press down on the strap (Fig. 
71,2), which will loosen the frame, when it may be removed 
all complete and true. Such a gauge not only insures per- 
fect frames, but demands.that every piece shall be cut with 
great accuracy, and some such arrangement should always 
be used in making the frames. 
The above description and Figure 71 are for Gallup 
frames. For Langstroth frames the harJ- vood strips would 
be eight and five- -eighths (854) inches long, and the distance 
between them would be sixteen and seven-eighths (1676 ) 
inches, that is if frames are made of pieces one-fourth of 
an inch thick. To make reversible frames we use two 
such guides. Wire nails are very excellent for making 
frames, and just the thing for the pivots in reversible frames. 
When the frames are in the hive there should be at least 
a one-fourth or three-eighths inch space between the end 
of the frame and side of the hive. As before stated the 
space below the frame may be one-half inch. A much 
wider space on the sides than that given above is likely to 
be filled with comb, and so prove vexatious. The wide 
space below gives no such trouble and in winter it is desir- 
able, as also in case the hive shrinks. It is very undesira- 
ble to have the frames reach to the bottom of the hive. 
The distance between the frames may be one-half of an 
inch, though a slight variation either way does no harm. 
Some men, of very precise habits, prefer nails or wire. 
staples in the side and bottom of the frames. Mr. Cheshire 
calls these his, though Mr. Langstroth used them over 
twenty years ago, which if I am correctly imformed, was 
before Mr. Cheshire kept bees at all. These are to insure 
equal spacing of the frames. Mr. Jones prolongs the sides 
and bottom of the frame (Fig. 62) for the same purpose. 
These projections extend just a quarter of an inch, so as to 
maintain this unvarying distance. Some bee- -keepers use 
frames with wide, close fitting end-bars, or with top-bars 
wide and close fitting at the ends. I have tried all these 
styles and do not like them. It is easy for any bee-keepcr 
to try them. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is 
good.” 
