HIVBS. G7 



and can tate advantage of all the facilities oflPered, can 

 hardly afford to do without some one of these forms, not- 

 withstanding they are covered by a patent. 



SOME OF ITS ADVANTAGES. 



Each comb, instead of being attached to the top of the 

 liive, is suspended in a frame, and the top is simply laid on 

 loosely. When the bees are dwindling away, and we 

 wish to ascertain the cause, whether queenless, etc., we 

 can take off the top, smoke the bees a little, raise out a 

 comb, and make the necessary examination. Thus, we can 

 also detect the presence of diseased brood. We have 

 only to take a frame from a full hive, and transfer it to 

 the light one and the reverse, to benefit both. To make 

 an artificial swarm, it is only necessary to divide the combs. 

 (See chapter xi.) 



When one swavm has issued, we can, seven days after, 

 take out the combs and cut off all queen cells but one, and 

 swarming is stopped for the season. When too much 

 drone comb is constructed, cut it out, and substitute 

 worker comb in its place, fastening it in the same manner 

 as in transferring from the box to the movable comb hives. 

 All suitable comb should be saved for this and similar 

 purposes. The path of the moth-worm in the comb can 

 be traced to his lurking place, and he can be dragged forth 

 to the slaughter without difficulty. The smallest amount 

 of sealed honey can be seen at a glance. The amount of 

 brood that the colony shall raise may be controlled; instead 

 of limiting the area of comb used for that purpose, to a 

 very small space, it may be enlarged to any extent by re- 

 moving full, and giving empty combs. Notwithstanding 

 the danger of receiving more stings, and the greater ex- 

 pense of construction, there is a class of bee-keepers un- 

 derstanding the value of these conveniences, who will 

 make it pay to use them. 



