and its Economic Management. 1 5 1 



Space between the sections and top bars 



of the frames is objectionable, in that brace combs are 

 nearly always attached to the underside of the sections. 

 To avoid this entirely, in 1881 I adopted a crate with the 

 bottom composed of slats standing f-inch apart. When 

 in position these slats come close upon the frames, but at 

 right angles to them ; thus the bees have simply a number 

 of small holes for passages — about f-inch by ^-inch, 

 which they are compelled to keep open ; no brace combs 

 are built in consequence, as those are always continued 

 from the wax that may be along the sides of the frame 

 bars, when the old plan is allowed. During the many 

 years I used this style of crate I had no brace combs 

 attached to my sections. 



Fig. 16 will give a good idea of the manner in which the 

 said square passages are formed ; C being the bottom slats 

 of the crate, and D the frame bars. 



But now having the slats close upon the frames it will 

 be readily understood that a full-sized crate could not be 

 used without much inconvenience ; I therefore made it 

 in two as seen in Fig. 17, each holding twelve to fifteen 

 sections, and have had no more diiifiCulty in removing one- 

 half at a time than in taking out a frame of comb. In 

 replacing them a gentle horizontal motion will cause every 

 bee to run down out of the way, though smoke first used 

 will at once clear the course. 



But perhaps the most important point with my twin 

 crate, is that as the central combs are completed, by 

 simply turning the outer row to the centre, the whole are 

 finished off more evenly and in less time, and thus the 

 usual outside thin sections are a thing of the past. 



With this class of crate I have generally used my bee 

 space sections giving their own passage under, but if the 

 one-piece section is used strips ;|-inch thick should be 



