PEELIMINAKY WOEK 



43 



When this is accomplished, dump the cluster into the 

 frame-hive, which should contain say five frames of 

 foundation; the remainder of the frames should he 

 simply wired to receive the transferred combs. With 

 the hees out of the way, carry the box-hive into the honey- 

 house, and proceed leisurely. With the hammer and 

 chisel remove a portion of 

 the box-hive, preferably 

 at the side of the combs. 

 This will reveal to the 

 apiarist three varieties of 

 comb, i.e., worker (Fig. 

 25), drone, and storage- 

 comb containing honey 

 and some pollen. The 

 honey-comb must be re- 

 moved and treated at 

 another time. The drone 

 brood, which is easilj' 

 recognisable because of 

 the larger cells and high 

 conical cappings (Fig. 25, 

 No. 16), should be re- 

 jected. 



This narrows down the material to be treated. The 

 slabs of worker-comb should be lifted on to the hessian- 

 covered board and a wired frame placed on the top. With 

 a sharp knife mark out and cut the comb to make a tight 

 fit inside the frame ; it is also necessary to trace the wires 

 with the knife and make an incision reaching to the midrib 

 (Fig. 25, No. 14). The frame is now pressed down and the 

 wires embedded in the comb with a spoon handle or chisel. 

 Previous to laying the comb on the hessian, two or three 

 pieces of string should have been laid across, and after 

 the comb is squeezed into the frame the string should be 

 brought together over the top and tied. The frames 

 should then be given to the bees. The string is to support 

 the combs until the bees fasten them, which they will do 

 in a day or so, when the string may be removed. Do not 

 attempt to transfer comhs containing honey. 



