200 ^uinby Hive Described. 



bars. This projection is lined on the inside with sheet iron, 

 which is inserted in a groove which runs one inch into each 

 end of the end-pieces and is tacked by the same nails that fas- 

 ten the end-bars to the top and bottom-bars. This iron at 

 the end of the bar bends in at right-angles (Fig. 72, a), and 

 extends one-fourth of an inch parallel with the top and 

 bottom-bars. Thus, when these frames stand side by side, 

 the ends are close, while half-inch openings extend between 

 the top and bottom-bars of adjacent frames. The bottom- 

 bars, too, are one-fourth of an inch from the bottom-board. 

 Tacked to the bottom-board^ in line with the position of 

 the back end-bars of the frames, is an inch strip of sheet 

 iron (Fig. 72, ^, (5) sixteen inches in length. One-third of 

 this strip, from the front edge back, is bent over so it lies 

 not quite in contact with the second third, while the pos- 

 terior third receives the tacks which hold it to the bottom- 

 board. Now, when in use, this iron flange receives the 

 hooks on the corners of the frames, so that the frames are 

 held firmly, and can only be moved back and sidewise. 

 In looking at the bees we can separate the combs at once, 

 at any place. The chamber can be enlarged or diminished 

 simply by adding or withdrawing frames. As the hooks 

 ai'e on all four corners of the frames, the frames can be 

 either end back, or either side up. This arrangement, 

 which permits the inversion of the frames, is greatly praised 

 by those who have tried it. It was claimed by the Hether- 

 ingtons years ago that by turning these frames bottom up 

 the comb would be fastened above and below, and the bees, 

 in their haste to carry the honey from the bottom of the 

 frames, would rush at once into the sections. Boards with 

 iron hooks close the side of the brood cavity, while a cloth 

 covers the frames. 



The entrance (Fig. 72, e) is cut in the bottom-board as 

 already explained, except that the lateral edges are kept 

 parallel. A strip of sheet-iron (Fig. 72, d") is tacked 

 across this, on which rest the ends of the front end-bars of 

 the frames which stand above, and underneath which pass 

 the bees as they come to and go from the hive. A box, 

 without bottom and with movable top, covers all, leaving 

 a space from four to six inches above and on all sides 



