134 Reversible Frame. 



the character of the reversible frame as made by Mr. Hed- 

 don and which I have found to work the best of any that 

 I have used. As will be seen the reversible part is a 



Fig. 49. 



Reversible Frame partly reversed. 



rectangle, pivoted in the center to the bottom of the 

 short end-bars. These short end-bars at the top come 

 within one-fourth (£) inch of the side of the hive, and 

 thin a little as they run down, so that the lower end is 

 three-eighths (f) of an inch from the side of the hive. 

 The bottom of the frame; indeed all below the short end 

 bar, is three-fourths (f ) of an inch from the side of the 

 hive. This makes it easy to put in the frames without 

 crushing the bees. It might be supposed that the bees 

 would build combs between the lower end of the frame 

 and the hive, but I have never yet seen a case of the 

 kind. These frames reverse very easily, and I do not 

 know a single person who has thoroughly tried them, 

 who does not value them highly. Here again let me 

 suggest that in making changes, a few be tried first, and 

 not all till we know we wish them. 



As the use of comb foundation secures straight combs, 

 with no drone cells, it is very desirable. When this is 

 fastened by merely pressing or sticking it to the top-bar, 

 it is apt to Bag and warp, hence it is becoming quite the 

 custom to wire the frames. (Figs. 48, 49, and 110.) 

 This insures perfect safety if we wish to ship our bees, and 

 secures against sagging or bulging of the foundation. If the 

 foundation is put on with a press, No. 36 wire is used; if 

 pressed on by hand No. 30 wire is better. The timber for frame 

 should be thoroughly seasoned, and of the best pine or white- 

 wood. Care should be taken that the frame be made so as to hang 

 vertically, when suspended on the rabbets of the hive. To 

 secure this very important point — true frames that will always 

 hang true — they should always be made around a guide. 



