126 PLEASUBABLE BEE-KEEPING. 



the crate a spring is inserted to keep the sections in 

 position. This is very necessary, for if held loosely 

 and vacant spaces are left, the bees will find a place 

 for propolis, to the subsequent annoyance of the bee- 

 keeper. 



The crate being now ready, the quilts are removed 

 from the frames in the brood-chamber, and it is placed 

 in position. The sections rest upon |-inch laths 

 running from end to end of the crate, but between 

 the top bars of the frames in the brood-chamber there 



Fio. 45. 



is a space of ^ inch. In the extra space thus given 

 the bees invariably build combs to the bottoms of the 

 sections, already alluded to as brace-combs, which, 

 when the crate is removed, are difficult to break, and 

 the bees are consequently greatly irritated by the 

 unavoidable jar. There is, however, a much more 

 important drawback. The sections to which the 

 brace-combs are attached will almost certainly be 

 damaged, and often thereby rendered unfit for sale. 

 All this trouble may be avoided by using a wider 



