70 FIFTY YEARS AMONG THE BEES 



rangements for carrying the things most generally needed, at 

 least two different tool-boxes having been made for that special 

 purpose with separate compartments for the various articles. 

 But the basket is lighter, and although things get a little mixed 

 up in it, it seems to have the preference at present. At one time 

 I tried to keep an outfit at each apiary — smoker, hive-tools, etc. 

 — so that there should be no need to carry anything from one 

 apiary to another, but one gets used to tools and prefers to use 

 the same ones day after day, so the basket is used. 



CONTENTS OF TOOL-BASKET. 



Of course, the number of objects carried in a basket must 

 be somewhat limited. The bulkiest part is the apron, sleeves, 

 and gloves of my assistant. The record-book must always be 

 present. Then there will be smokers, hive-tools, hammer, cages, 

 matches (although matches are always kept covered with the 

 fuel in each apiary), saltpeter-rags, nails, and any other light 

 objects that may happen to be needed at any particular time. 

 Of course there will be heavier articles, not convenient to carry 

 from one apiary to another, and each apiary must have its own, 

 as a hive with a closed entrance and a robber-cloth, ready to 

 contain at any time frames of brood or honey safe from rob- 

 bers. Generally, however, there will be no need to be so careful 

 against robbers, and the one or two frames lifted out of a hive 

 will be leaned up against it, taking pains to stand any frame 

 where the hot rays of the sun may not strike too directly upon 

 it, and to stand it up straight enough so it will not sag with its 

 own weight. 



BESTING FRAMES DIAGONALLY IN HIVE. 



With one frame out of the hive there will be room enough 

 for the rest to be moved about in the hive, and returned to it 

 as soon as examined. Sometimes when it is desired to set a 

 frame back in the hive very quickly, or when a queen has been 

 caught and is held in the fingers, so that the frame must be 

 handled by one hand, it is convenient to set the frame in the 

 hive resting diagonallly, as shown in Pig. 36. The frame is 

 lowered till one end of the top-bar rests upon one rabbet, and 

 then the bottom-bar is allowed to rest upon the other rabbet. 



