82 A Modern Bee-Farm 



such colonies as remained in the old frames used by myself , 

 and other apiarists, and which should have been, and will yet _ 

 be recognised as the Standard frame of this country, viz. : — 

 i6-in. by lo-in. 



It does not denote progress to hold to a certain size of 

 frame simply because that has once been stamped as the 

 Standard of the British Beekeepers' Association, whose com- 

 mittecj because of its peculiarly exclusive organisation, was 

 not in a position to deal ' understanding^ ' with the commercial 

 interests of either the producing or manufacturing industry. 



There has long been a smothered feeling of opposition in - 

 some quarters against the frame now in use, and yet there are 

 many who refrain from raising a dissenting voice for fear of, 

 coming in contact with a recognized institution which has not 

 one valuable point as a recommendation, nor a single excuse 

 for its continued existence, seeing that every honey producer 

 using the small frame is at a serious yearly loss, as he may 

 soon ascertain on trial. 



I have already endeavoured to induce beekeepers to adopt 

 a larger frame in connection with hives in present use, but the 

 greater depth was not in accordance with the general methods 

 adopted for working surplus receptacles. Such an objection 

 does not exist in relation with the large frame formerly used, 

 and the same supering apparatus may be worked on either the 

 Standard or the i6in. by loin. frames. 



I have no wish to create confusion, or to induce loss by 

 urging all to at once take up with the frame our old friend 

 Abbott and other veterans attempted to have recognised as 

 the British Standard. That frame has iliost certainly been 

 proved, and I therefore recommend it with confidence as being 

 far superior to the present Standard for the production of 

 honey on a commercial and profitahle scale. 



The Commercial Hive is used with eight frames and two 

 dummies, i^-in. thick, either packed or used as dry feeders ; 

 or the sides may be permanently packed, the object being to 

 keep as narrow a brood nest or cluster as possible, in oppo- 



