Apparatus 



29 



Fig. 23. — Spur wire-imbedder. 



To strengthen the combs, it is customary to wire the 

 frames with fine (No. 30 gauge, tinned) wire. The wires 

 are generally stretched horizontally, and most frames as 

 they come from the manufacturer are pierced for wiring. 

 After the wires are stretched tight, the foundation is fas- 

 tened to the top of the frame 

 and the wire is imbedded in the 

 foundation, usually by pressure. 

 The spur imbedder (Fig. 23) is 

 generally used but is not espe- 

 cially good. Heat generated by a weak electric current is 

 sometimes used, but perhaps the best method is to run 

 along the wire a small warm soldering iron with a notch 

 in the point. 



Whatever style of hive is adopted, the parts must be 

 accurately cut so that the bee-spaces are of the right size 

 and so that the apiary equipment may be interchangeable 

 throughout. Hives or frames of different sizes or of im- 

 proper dimensions are perhaps the worst inconveniences 

 that can be foimd in an apiary. The materials used should 



be the best, for the equipment is 

 often used for many years. As a 

 rule, it is better to buy hives and 

 frames and, in fact, practically all 

 the necessary supplies from the 

 regular manufacturers of such ar- 

 ticles. This advice is not given 

 as an advertisement for the manu- 

 facturer but is based on the rec- 

 ollection of ill-spaced, inaccurately 

 cut, home-made outfits which have 

 been encountered in traveling 

 among beekeepers. Obviously, an expert wood-worker can 

 do as well as the regular manufacturer, but even then the cost 

 of home-made supplies usually exceeds the price charged 

 by the dealers, when one considers the time consumed. 

 The outside of hives should be painted to protect them 



Fig. 24. — Smoker. 



