92 



HAXDY BOOK OF BEES. 



it is rather dangerous to move it, for there are no cross- 

 sticks in these hives to steady and support the combs. 

 Till the combs reach the bottom, there is great risk in 

 moving these hives. A slight shake or blow may cause 

 aU the combs in them to fall dovra. in confused masses. 

 Woodbury's bar-frame hive is made principally of straw, 

 and is therefore incomparablj"- the best of its kind. Now, 

 in common hives, cross-sticks are used with great advan- 

 tage and safety. We use five or six in every hive. These 

 cross-sticks go from side to side, and, by the use of guide- 

 combs, the combs are made to run from front to back, so 

 that every comb is well supported. 



Before the combs are well started from the crown of the 

 hive, they are securely fastened to the top centre stick ; and 

 as they are enlarged they are cemented to the other sticks. 

 The bottom sticks should be at least four inches above 

 the board, for if less than four inches the bees some- 

 times do not close their comb round them. 



GUIDE-COMBS. 



These are simply little bits of clean old comb (the older 

 the better) about two inches wide and one or two inches 

 deep, fastened to labels, such as are used for naming 

 plants. Well, the bit of comb and label are laid together, 

 and fastened by dropping between them a little melted 



