HONEY PRODUCTION. 127 



top bar to the brood-frames, leaving a space of J inch 

 only, or by using an adapting board (Fig. 45). This 

 board is 14 inches x l&J inches. On the underside 

 there is a rim J inch in depth, which raises the board 

 that distance above the frames. Running nearlj- from 

 end to end are six holes J inch wide, two beneath 

 each row of sections. There is then only a space of 

 J inch under the sections which the bees respect, and 

 bi-aee-combs are avoided. The adapting board is 

 placed upon the frames in the brood-chamber at the 

 beginning of the honey-flow, when the first crate is 

 given, and need not be removed until all supering 

 operations are at an end. Under the board wiU then 

 be found the brace-combs that would otherwise have 

 been attached to the sections. 



The boon such a device is to the producer of sec- 

 tions cannot be fuUy appreciated until it is seen 

 with what ease crates are raised or removed without 

 irritation to the colony. It is not too much to say 

 that the prising off of crates with chisels, &c., has 

 had much to do with the apparent natural irritability 

 of many a stock of bees. Gentleness in every opera- 

 tion is much to be desired, and the use of this board 

 will be one means to that end. 



Queen-excluders are not required when sectional 

 supers are used. This is the case, particularly when 

 the brood-chamber has been properly manipulated, 

 and the combs are not allowed to become clogged 

 with honey before the super is in place. FuU sheets 

 of worker foundation also act as a deterrent to the 

 queen entering the sections. If starters only are 

 given above a badly arranged brood-chamber, drone 



