46 
the fingers (Fig. 87c) of one hand, and with a rapid movement to 
one side jerk off the cloth and at once place the crate in position 
over the frames (Fig. 37p). If these movements are performed 
quickly, it will be possible to place the crate before a bee rises 
above the frames. The crate should be placed with its narrowest 
side to the front of the hive on an 11-frame hive, and with its 
broadest side to the front on a 10-frame hive. The front side 
of the crate should rest on the top bar of the front frame, and 
the sides of the crate should so cover the shoulders of the frames 
as to leave no spaces through which bees or heat can escape 
from the brood-chamber. If for any reason the crate is placed 
over less than nine frames, fit an extension board (95), 164 
inches long, 4-inch thick, and as wide as is necessary, to lie 
across the body-box behind the dummy, so as to prevent 
bees getting behind the dummy; the top of this board 
should lie flush with the tops of the frames. Now, replace the 
lift, and pack well with cloths all round and over the crate, to 
prevent the escape of heat, taking care when doing so to pack 
well round the edge of the crate, and to avoid moving the crate 
out of position. Then place wedges between the back of the 
hive and the top bar of the dummy, to keep the latter in position. 
If the conditions are favourable for collecting honey, and the 
stock is strong, it should be capable of 
111. Tiering. taking another crate in about seven or ten 
days. Under very favourable conditions 
it might be advisable to give a second crate on the fourth to 
sixth day after giving the first. It is most important to provide 
additional storing accommodation for the bees in advance of 
their requirements, as otherwise they will probably start queen 
cells and prepare for swarming (91), which should be avoided 
if the production of honey is the object in view. The objection 
to putting on a second crate before it is required is that to do 
so would cool and therefore retard the progress of the hive. In 
exceptional circumstances the experienced bee-heeper may put 
on two crates together if he cannot add the second crate at the 
proper time, but this practice is one that should be avoided, if 
possible. If the weather has been favourable for honey gather- 
ing after putting on the first crate of sections, the beekeeper, 
guided by what has been stated, should examine the crate when 
or soon after it has been four days on, to ascertain if the bees 
are ready for a second crate. To do this, the covering of the 
crate should be removed just enough to permit of examining the 
outer sides of the last row of sections; the follower should not be 
removed, nor should the sections be disturbed, but the upper 
edge of the follower may be drawn back against the springs to 
widen the area of observation. If it is noticed that the combs 
are crowded with bees, or that the foundation sheets in the sec- 
tions have been partially drawn out, asecond crate may be added 
if the weather is favourable ; but if the weather is unfavourable 
it should not be added until there is a change for the better. 
