92 THE APIARY. 



supers, without forfeiting the advantag-es arising from 

 the unlimited interchangeability of every comb in every 

 hive and super in the apiary. Its construction will be 

 readily understood by an inspection of the annexed sketch, 

 in which the comb bar is shown slightly raised from its 

 frame. The bar itself is thirteen and a quarter inches 

 long, by seven-eighths of an inch wide, and three-eighths 

 of an inch thick. When the comb bar is in its place, 

 the whole forms a frame thirteen inches long, by seven 

 and a quarter inches high (inside measure), with five- 

 eighths of an inch projection at each end, which rests 

 in its appropriate notch in either the back or front of 

 the hive. When filled with comb, the bar becomes so 

 firmly cemented to the frame as to admit of its being 

 handled with facility." This contrivance is, no doubt, 

 very excellent in the hands of Mr. Woodbury ; but in the 

 hands of the unpractised severe mishaps may arise. In 

 warm weather the propolis and wax, with which the bees 

 cement the bar to the frame, become soft ; consequently, 

 in handling the frames, unless dexterity is used, the comb 

 is likely to drop out. We therefore recommend that 

 the bar and frame be made both in one : greater firm- 

 ness and simplicity are thereby gained. Some of these 

 compound bars and frames are kept in stock at our 

 establishment, though they cannot be recommended for 

 general use; but should anyone prefer them, they can 

 be supplied at the same price as the common frames. 

 In describing the stock-hives of wood, straw, and 



