and its Economic Management. iZ^ 



Packed Walls to Supers 



are a different thing, and just where the heat is most 

 needed, not only to attract the bees to start comb-build- 

 ing,' but to keep them constantly producing wax. The rule 

 is to provide flimsy walls to the super crates or none at 

 all in most cases where racks only are adopted Here is 

 a strange contradiction in the practice of the majority ; and 

 yet it is well known that heat — the constant reservation of 

 heat — will always bring the best work in the supers. 



One thing of the utmost importance to which I have 

 often had occasion to call attention, is the 



Space below the Frames. 



The regulation distance of f-inch is certainly allowed 

 between the bottom rail of the frame and the floor of the 

 hive when first made, but this is not enough, as the 

 exposure causes the side walls to shrink fully one-fourth 

 of an inch. This makes it quite inconvenient and disagree- 

 able in replacing frames, as well as where hives are tiered 

 up ; and though |-inch clear may not work quite well 

 between upper storeys at first, it will soon come right by 

 shrinkage when anything like 9-inch stuff is used, though 

 it may be considered that the wood has been already well 

 seasoned. Now the f-inch space is not sufficient for 

 winter, and where a lower rim cannot be added to the 

 hive, a circular hole should be cut in the centre of the 

 floor board, about 2 inches in diameter, which will greatly 

 assist ventilation, while providing the inmates with a ready 

 means of disposing of their refuse, dead bees, etc. Failing 

 either of the foregoing, the frames can be raised by 

 placing f-inch strips under the projecting ears. My 

 pamphlet of 1886 on Prevention of Swarming, explained 

 how the non-swarming chamber was left all the winter 

 under the stock with good results. 



