io6 A MANUAL OF BEE-KEEPING. 



introduction, appears to be a very useful form. It is 

 constructed to be hinged on to a door-post, or like 

 position, swinging either way, and when not under 

 observation may be folded back against the post or 

 wall. It is enclosed with glass doors, with or without 

 shutters, and made to hold any number of frames, and 

 an inspection of the figure will clearly show its con- 

 struction. 



Many observatory hives of a more or less fancy 

 description have been designed, and are generally, in 

 their designers' opinion, perfect; but other people in 

 practice yet find much to be desired. 



GUIDE 'COMBS, AND COMB FOUNDATION. 



When using frame hives it becomes an absolute neces- 

 sity to secure straight combs, and as the Bees have no 

 knowledge of their owner's preference, they are very, 

 likely, if untaught, to build their combs the way their 

 fancy teaches them, and they often do not forget that 

 the line of beauty is a curve. 



One of the greatest aids to profitable and success- 

 fur Bee-keeping that has for a long time been devised 

 is that of " Comb Foundation," a name, I believe, of 

 American origin, where the article itself has been brought 

 to great perfection. For many years past, the necessity, 

 when using frame hives, for some guide to induce the 

 Bees to work straight and in the required direction 

 along the bars, has been felt ; and in the former editions 

 of this work I described the manufacture of such im- 

 pressed wax sheets as were then known, but which are 



