WORKING EQUIPMENT 



33 



shallow frames render the use of wire quite unnecessary. 

 The metal strand is for the purpose of bracing the comb. 

 It is absolutely essential where the combs are extracted 

 by machinery, for without wiring a large number will 

 be broken. The wire also helps to sustain the combs on 

 a very hot day when there is danger of them falling from 

 the frames. It is very risky to attempt the transportation 

 of hives of bees if the combs are not wired. They are 



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Pig. 20. Wired "Simplicity" Frames. 



almost sure to break down during the journey and entail 

 the loss of the colonies. 



If it is determined to use full sheets of foundation 

 one is committed to the use of wire also, as it is 

 impracticable to use full sheets without bracing. Wiring 

 (Fig. 20) keeps the sheets of wax plumb in the frame, 

 and if this is neglected the resultant combs are very 

 imperfectly built. A very good and quick method is to 

 drive two one inch nails — points inward — through each 

 end-bar about V-k inches from top and bottom, (No. 1, 

 Fig. 20) and make hooks of the points with a pair of 

 pincers. A loop is next made on the end of the wire — No. 

 30 tinned— and slipped over a hook. It is then threaded 

 over the remaining nails in the manner indicated. 



In No. 2 the end-bars are bored and the wire run 

 through horizontally. This is slow work, and the wire 



