OR, MANUAL OF THS APIARY. 



233 



The distance between the frames maybe one-half of an 

 inch, or best one and three-eighths inches from center to cen- 

 ter of the frames. This is better than one and one-half, as 

 the brood is kept warmer, and worker-brood is more likely to 

 be reared. A slight variation either way does no harm. Some 

 men, of very precise habits, prefer nails or wire staples in the 

 side and bottom of the frames. Mr. Cheshire calls these his 

 suggestions, though Mr. Langstroth used them over twenty 

 years ago, which, if I am correctly informed, was before Mr. 

 Cheshire kept bees at all. These are to insure equal spacing 

 of the frames. Mr. Jones prolongs the sides and bottom of 

 the frame (Fig. 88) for the same purpose. These projections 

 extend just a quarter of an inch, so as to maintain this un- 

 varying distance. Some bee-keepers use frames with wide, 

 close-fitting end-bars, or with top-bars wide and close-fitting 



Fig. 99. 



Hoffman Frames, — From, A. I. Jioot Vo. 



at the ends. Mr. Root now favors the Hoffman frame (Fig. 

 99), as he calls it, which has the top-bar and upper ends of the 

 end-bars wide and close-fitting. He claims more rapid hand- 

 ling, as the frames, he says, can be handled in groups. I 

 have tried all these styles, and do not like them. It is easy for 

 any bee-keeper to try them. " Prove all things ; hold fast 

 that which is good," or that which pleases you. 



COVER FOR FRAMES. 



As before stated, a board covers the hive all through the 

 honey season. This rests upon the upper story of the hive, or 

 upon the upper section-case. From September to June, in the 



