272 BEE MANIPULATION. [Ch. v. 



second nearer the third, so as to admit of sufficient space 

 to lift out the end one. Very carefully and slowly he 

 should lift the frame by taking hold, with thumb and 

 finger, of the projecting shoulders that rest in the 

 notch ; and he must not let it touch or scrape the 

 next frame or the sides of the hive, so as to crush, or 

 irritate any bees. 



After the end comb is thus removed it will be easy 

 to extract the others, as there will now be plenty of room 

 for drawing them out. If the bar-frame holder (page 192) 

 is not at hand an empty hive of the same size will serve ; 

 and care should be taken that each comb occupies the 

 same relative position that it did in the hive so that the 

 same order may be afterwards retained when they are 

 replaced. 



In handling the frames it should be borne in mind 

 that they are to be held perpendicularly. To gain a 

 view of both sides of the comb when searching for the 

 queen, or for any purpose requiring full inspection, the 

 reverse side may, with a little dexterity in twirling the 

 frame round, be brought to face the operator, without 

 letting the comb break away by its own weight and so 

 fall out of the frame, which it may do if allowed to 

 deviate from its upright or downright position. If the 

 beginner could see an experienced person perform the 

 operation he would quickly understand how combs may 

 thus be handled without any risk of a smash. 



The bee-keeper should be on his guard not to tempt 



