12 ITALIAN BEE KEEPING. 



through the lines marked a a and b h ^in. into the wood, and then 

 saw at right angles c i and d a, thus cutting away the two comers 

 DD (Fig. 8). 



Now commence putting together the frame by fitting the two aides 

 into the gaps made by cutting away these two comers D D. First 

 fix the front with long thin nail No. 1, Fig. 4 ; then fix the back of 

 frame with nail No. 2. 



Lastly, take the bottom piece, and along the side, which is Ifin. 

 broad, cut off a strip three-eighths of an inch (which will be wanted), 

 this will leave the bottom bar about an inch wide and an inch thick ; 

 then fit this bottom bar in between the two upright pieces, so that 

 the entrance is left clear for the bees ; and finally secure it in its place 

 by two nails, 3 and 4, Fig. 4. The only thing now necessary to com- 

 plete the frame is a small triangular strip of wood, which has to be 

 glued along the middle of the top of the inside bar of frame. When 

 smeared with new wax and honey, this triangular strip will serve 

 instead of guide comb.* 



These strips are made by cutting lengthwise into two halves the 

 piece cut off the bottom bar. Each of these two halves will then be 

 Jin. on its four sides, and the length is the exact length wanted. 

 By cutting these ddagonalVy lengthwise down the middle, as through 

 line a a in Fig. 9, yon will thus make four strips for four frames. 



Take one of these bits and glue it on the last cut side, which will 

 be the broadest. Stick it to the top of the frame, where it will soon 

 attach itself if the frame is left standing upright and upside down, 

 or it may be tacked on with small nails, and the frame is complete. 



In like manner each of the other 39 bits of the plank should be cut 

 up, and made into 39 other frames, which, with the simple amateur 

 carpenter's work above described, and the materials specified, will 

 make 40 frames. 



Anyone not having tools, or time to spare, could, no doubt, have 

 these frames made by a carpenter for a very moderate price. The 

 greatest aconraey is necessary, as for instance, if the bee entrance is 

 Jin. too low, to a lee it would be about as bad as if the front door- 

 way of a man's house were say 2ft. too low for him. 



All the frames will be exactly alike if the previous directions are 

 minutely followed. 



When these frames are finished it is convenient to have each one 

 marked with a letter or number, so as to be able to keep record of how 

 much honey each hive produces annually, and from which hive an 

 artificial swarm is taken. 



* I mncli prefer the use of goide comb, as ensuring the comhs being 

 regularly formed. Narrow slips of old brood comb are easily fixed with 

 the aid o£ a little melted wax.— W. B. T. 



