396 A Morlcrn Bee-Farm 



for the purpose ; consequently the outer seams of bees 

 frequently perished. . 



This trouble can always be avoided by placing one or two 

 i-inch strips of wood at right angles to the frames, and 

 between them and the quilt. Candy, when necessary, will 

 do the same : so also will an additional shallow storey 

 placed above ; and this latter will ever be found to give 

 very desirable results. 



Thick Top Bars. — In former editions I have drawn 

 particular attention to the {-inch top bar, the thickness 

 used in my apiaries since 1878. They do not sag at the 

 centre ; do away almost entirely with comb attachments 

 above ; and help to keep the queen from ascending to the 

 supers. 



Eg(;s Delayed ix Hati-icing. — It does not follow 

 because eggs are deposited in the cells that the warmth of 

 the hive must hatch them. Such is far from being the 

 case ; no eggs will hatch until the workers first surround 

 them with the preparatory food upon which the tiny grub 

 is to feed. 



Consequently, in spring, eggs laid in drone cells are 

 sometimes not brought to the hatching point for days or 

 weeks after the usual three days period. There they 

 remain just as deposited by the queen, and as soon as 

 favourable weather appears the food is supplied and they 

 are allowed to hatch. 



Eggs that should produce workers are sometimes held 

 over in this way in early spring ; but more frequently it 

 happens with these in late autumn. 



Wide or Close-End Frames have been through 

 various experiments under my hands since '75, and in '78 



