FIFTY YEARS AMONG THE BEES 283 



a light framework that stands on the adjoining hive. When 

 all is properly adjusted, the long end of the lever is raised, 

 and the weight is read, and then taken down, so that a comb 

 or combs may be added to bring up to the desired weight. If 

 no precaution is taken, the spring balance, when first raised, 

 will slide on the lever down against one's hands or shoulders. 

 To prevent this a stout string has one end tied to the short end 

 of the lever, and the other end tied to the ring of the balance, 

 so as to keep it within bounds. When once adjusted, rope, 



Fir;. 102 — Ticelve-section Shipping-case. 



balance, and lever are left .fastened together, the rope being 

 slipped on each end of the hive for weighing, and slipped off 

 when the hive is weighed. 



RESERVE COMBS OF HONET. 



After all I have said about feeding, I am happy to say 

 that since about the time of the coming in of the 20th century 

 very little feeding has been done. Most years not a feeder is 

 put on. This is partly due to the increase of fall pasturage, 

 and perhaps in some degree to the fact that the present stock 

 of bees are more provident than they were some years ago. 



