46 



Texas Department op Ageiculture. 



The ten-frame hive, of Langstroth dimensions, is in most general use, 

 although hives of other sizes are also extensively used. For the be- 

 ginner, the Langstroth hive is advised, since it is considered the 

 standard hive. The main hive body consists of a plain box, 16x20x91/2 



The automobile In the bee business. 



inches outside measurement. Inside this hang ten frames, in which 

 the combs are built. These are 17%x9y8 inches outside measure- 

 ment. The top bars of these frames are 18% inches long, and extend 

 one-half inch over the outside of the frames, by which they hang in 

 the hives. These projections, or ears, as they are often called, rest in 

 rabbets cut out of the upper inside edge of the end walls of the hive. 

 These rabbets are deep enough to lower the top of the frames exactly 

 one-fourth inch from the upper edge of the hive, and it brings the 

 lower side of the frames almost flush with the botton of it. 



It will be seen that the frames are of such 

 dimensions as to allow a one-fourth-inch space 

 between their ends and the walls of the hive 

 body, when these hang in position. This one- 

 fourth inch is called a "bee space," through 

 which the bees can pass freely, and it prevents 

 them from glueing the frames to the hive 

 walls. Any space, less than the regular one- 

 fourth-inch bee space, will be filled up with 

 "bee glue," or "propolis," a resinous sub- 

 stance gathered by the bees, while they will 

 build honey comb into spaces that are larger 



Hive body. 



than the bee space. 



