DADANT SYSTEM OF BEEKEEPING 39 



Upper edges of the brood chamber and the lower edges of the su- 

 pers become rounded and worn so that it is often difficult to pre- 

 vent robber-bees from securing a passage through the gaping 

 joints. The telescope cap entirely prevents this, is also efficient 

 in covering feeders, placed over the combs of the brood nest, and 

 makes an excellent chaff compartment for winter-packing 

 material over the brood-nest. 



A yi, inch slat is used at the upper edge of the hive front, 

 to widen the projecting edge next to the rabbet. This may 

 seem a very unnecessary contrivance. Yet it is very useful, 

 as it helps us to fit cloths, straw mats, supers, &c., more readily 

 without leaving a smelling place for inquisitive neighbor bees. 

 Those who have kept bees for 25 years or more in the same hives 

 know how annoying the lack of adjustment sometimes is, 

 owing to wear and tear, and to the use of the hive tool in prying 

 apart the stories. 



The division board is sometimes called a "dummy." Yet 

 there is a great difference between the two. A dummy is only a 

 board shaped like one of the frames, and of the same size. 

 It fills the place of a frame, but does not conserve heat 



Fig. 23. The division board of the Dadant hive 



any better than the frame of empty comb. Our division board 

 is closed at both ends, with a rounding piece of oil cloth, tacked 

 on it. It effectually prevents the circulation of air on the ends. 

 Of course, if we were to make it of the exact length of the inside 

 of the hive, we would have great trouble in moving it when 



