162 THE BEE keeper's MANUAL. 



Drone combs should never be attached to the frames 

 as a guide, ufless it is desired to have the bees follow the 

 pattern, and build large ranges of drone comb, to breed a 

 vast horde of useless consumers. Such comb, if white, may 

 be used to great advantage in the surplus honey-boxes ; if old 

 and discolored, it should be melted for wax. I am now 

 engaged in a course of experiments, which I hope, will 

 enable me to dispense with the necessity of guide-combs for 

 my frames, as they are sometimes difficult to be procured 

 by those who have just commenced bee-keeping. As a 

 general thing, however, every one, after a few weeks' expe- 

 rience, may have enough and to spare, for such purposes. 

 Every piece of good worker-comb, if large enough to be 

 attached to a frame, should be used both for its intrinsic val- 

 ue, and because bees are so wonderfully pleased when 

 they find such unexpected treasures in a hive, that they will 

 seldom desert it. A new swarm has been known to take 

 possession of an old hive without any occupants, but well 

 stored with comb. Though dozens of empty hives may be 

 in the Apiary, they never unless under such circumstances, 

 enter a hive, of their own accord. It might seem as though 

 an instinct impelling them to do so, would have been a 

 most admirable one, and so doubtless, it may seem to some 

 that it would have been much better for man, if the earth 

 had only brought forth spontaneously all things requisite 

 for the support of man and beast, without any necessity for 

 the sweat of the brow. The first and last frames in my 

 hive, are placed about a quarter of an inch from the ends, 

 and the others just half an inch apart. When first put in, 

 it will be advisable to attach them slightly with a very little 

 glue or melted wax, to keep them in their places, until 

 they are fastened with propolis, by the bees. The rubbing 

 of hives with various kinds of herbs or washes, has always 



