236 FIFTY YEARS AMONG THE BEES 



in to prevent the plug going too far into the cage. That makes 

 all complete. 



After using these for some years, I got up another that in 

 some respects I like still better. This is shown in Fiy. 87' ^., 

 and may be called Miller cage No. 3. Make a block 3%xlVsx- 

 5-16. From one side of the block, at one end, cut out a piece 

 l%x%, making the block as shown at No. 1, Fig. 871/2- t'ut a 

 piece of tin 1x2 inches. Stand the block on edge with the cut- 

 out pilace uppermost, and in this cut-out place lay a lead pencil 

 or similar object 11-33 in diameter. Over this bend the tin, 

 letting it come out flush with the end of the block. Then laying 

 the block on its side, still keeping the pencil in place, drive two 

 V2-inch wire nails through tin and wood, clinching on the oppo- 

 ■ site side. When the pencil is withdrawn there is left a tube to 

 be filled with candy. That completes the plug (No. 2, Fig. 

 87%) . The cage itself is made of a piece of wire cloth 4 inches 

 square, if one edge is a selvedge. If there is no selvedge, it 

 must be 4x4% and % inch folded over as a selvedge to prevent 

 I'aveling. A block must be made, not to be part of the cage, but 

 to be used to form the wire cloth over. It must be a little 

 larger than the first block, say .5x1 3-16x%. If the block were 

 the same size as the first, there would be too tight a fit, and if 

 the fit be loose it is easy to wedge in a thin slip, as a piece of 

 wood separator. The wire cloth is wrapped around the block 

 and allowed to project at one end about 1/2 inch. A light wire is 

 wound twice around, about % inch from the selvedge end 

 (which is the part that does not project) and fastened. An- 

 other wire is similarly fastened about 1% inches from the first 

 wire. Now the projecting part of the wire cloth is bent down 

 upon the end of the block, and hammered down with a hammer. 

 That completes the cage (No. 3, Fig. 871/2 ), but for convenience 

 in hanging it between brood-frames one end of a light wire 7 or 

 8 inches long is fastened into one side of the cage about % inch 

 from the open end. To put it in a hive, I shove the frames 

 apart, and holding the end of the wire lower the cage where I 

 want it, and then shove the frames together. That leaves 3 

 inches or more of the wire above the top-bars, and when I want 

 to take out the cage I take hold of the wire, draw the frames 



