and its Ecmomic Management. 263 



little friends, and avoiding the too frequent occurrence of 

 starvation while the distant (smaller) frames may be well 

 stored. 



The situation of the cluster is represented (by the letter CI; 

 the stores by S. 



It should not be forgotten that before the quilt frame' 

 covering came into use most hives were constructed with a 

 bee-space between the frame bars and the crown-board. 

 When the close-fitting quilt was adopted this space was closed, 

 to the detriment of the bees, in that the cluster could no longer 

 communicate at the spot most favorable for the purpose ; ^ 

 consequently the outer seams of bees frequently perished. 



This trouble can always be avoided by placing one or two 

 -J-inch strips of wood at right angles to the frames, and between 

 them and the quilt. Candy, when necessary, will do the 

 same ; so also will an additional shallow story placed above ; 

 and this latter will ever be found to give very desirable results. 



Thick Top Bars. — Just note the f-inch top bar, the 

 thickness used in my apiaries since 1878. They do not sag at 

 the centre ; do away almost entirely with comb attachments 

 above ; and help to keep the queen from ascending to the 

 supers. 



Inversion of the Brood Combs. — About the year 1875 

 British bee-keepers were exercising their minds over the sup- 

 posed advantages of inversion ; but nothing of value was 

 found in the practice. Ten years later the same idea cropped 

 up in America. Now what do we hear of it ? 



