11 
Manipulation of the Combs. 
It is not advisable to have a hive completely filled with 
frames. There should be room for at least one dummy, by 
the removal of which extra space can be obtained at one side. 
The adjacent comb is then gently loosened—if propolised— 
and moved to the centre of the available space. It can then 
be lifted clear of the hive, without the necessity of brushing 
the bees against their fellows on the next comb. When fully 
examined, this comb is replaced against the side of the hive, 
and the next is handled in the same way. When all the 
combs have been duly examined, the dummy is replaced at the 
other side of the hive. If at any time during the process the 
bees are observed to be recovering from the alarm of fire, and 
to be assembling in a threatening manner on the tops of the 
combs, a little more smoke should be applied. 
In accordance with the theory advanced, it will be evident 
that ease and comfort in handling the bees will depend largely 
upon correct construction of the hive. If roofs or lifts fit 
tightly, they will have to be wrenched off, and volumes of 
smoke may not then suffice to convince the bees that stings are 
not the best means with which to preserve their property. The 
dimensions of the inside of the hive must be just right if the 
combs are to be really movable. If the bee space of a quarter 
of an inch at the ends of the frames has been exceeded, the 
bees may build combs joining the frames to the sides of the 
hive. On the other hand, if these end-spaces are less than a 
quarter of an inch, the frames may be fastened in with 
propolis. In either case the combs cannot be removed without 
some degree of violence, which is sure to arouse anger in the 
bees. If the half-inch space at the bottom has become 
reduced through shrinkage of the wood to such an extent that 
the bees can no longer pass, this narrowed space may be filled 
with moth-cocoons, which often fasten the bottom bar so 
firmly to the floor that it is left behind when the frame is 
forcibly removed. 
If the frames have not been nailed through the dovetails 
at the upper corners, these joints frequently give way, the 
comb sinks down, and the bottom bar will be found propolised 
