158 AUSTRALIAN BEE LOHE AND BEE CULTURE- 



The bar-frames are of all patterns. In some the thin top 

 bar, bottom bar and sides of equal width (experience only 

 will teach how to space), the full length, thick- top bar, with 

 self -spacing sides and narrow bottom bar, the short thick top bar 

 with staple ends, are all in use. They are all educational, and 

 answer many a student's and visitor's query of "Why?" 



The sections, too, in like manner are very diversified; so also 

 are the separators and the section holders or cradles. One section 

 holder or cradle with its separators is unique, as it is only at 

 the Hawkesbury Agricultural College, and at the author's home 

 it is in use. It was exhibited at a. Royal Agricultural 

 Show, and called forth the usual amount of comments that are 

 bestowed upon all improvements in bee-keeping or anything else. 

 It is made of wire; two of the sides act with a spring and the 

 sections therefore are self-adjusting. It is Fig. 3 in the illustra- 

 tion, shows 3 spring sides, which are not necessary. There 

 are no thumb-screws, wedges, or other appliances used for keeping 

 them firm in the super. The separators are made from queen- 

 excluding zinc. When the cradle is fitted it is not made secure in 

 the shallows as is usually the case. The burr-comb being removed 

 from the frames of the brood-chamber, the wire cradle, with its 

 contents, is placed thereon, as seen in the accompanying Fig. 2, 

 the frame of the half-size super surrounds it, and the ordinary 

 lid covers it. The two latter are easily removed, and when so 

 removed, the cradle resting on the frames, by pressing open the 

 spring side or end the full sections can be removed, and the empty 

 ones replaced without the slightest trouble. The only drawback 

 to these wire cradles coming into general use is, they are rather 

 expensive; but then they are everlasting. These last remarks 

 will also apply to the concrete hive-stands. 



In the centre stands the kiosk. There is nothing new either 

 in design or make, but there is in its use. It is an ornate struc- 

 ture, having a concrete floor. In the centre is an octagon table, 

 and there is ample room for six or eight visitors to sit under- 

 neath the shade of its roof, which has an octagonal ceiling. From 

 the centre of this ceiling there is suspended a mosquito net, suffi- 

 ciently large to envelop the visitors seated around the table. 

 The object is to protect the timid visitor, from the too inquisitive 

 bee. A bee flying to near a person unaccustomed to the hum 

 gives rise to the fear that the bee so humming must be bent upon 

 mischief, and accordingly a dive is made for the nearest protec- 

 tion. Some persons once stung remain timid for ever, and ima- 



