MOVABLE-FRAME HIVES. 155 
was found to be inferior to the triangular comb guides. 
Pieces of worker-comb, glued to the under side of the 
top bar with melted wax, were used successfully. But the 
introduction of comb-foundation (674) has finally given us 
the means of securing straight combs at all times, and it may 
be used, for this purpose, in such narrow strips, that its 
cost cannot be an objection. 
320. Sranparp L. Movasie Frame, —Top bar, 19$ 
long x % wide x # thick. In each end a notch X1,% is 
made in the thickness of it, leaving a projecting or support- 
ing shoulder which is to rest in a rabbet in the upper ends 
of the hive, and by which the frame is suspended (fig. 54). 
Ends or vertical pieces: two pieces 8% long X i wide X 7% 
thick. Bottom bar 16% long x 3 wide X %. We will call 
the attention of manufacturers to the fact, that this makes 
a much stronger frame than the former style, given in pre- 
vious editions, and preserves the exact outside measure- 
ments. The ends, or vertical pieces, are nailed both ways 
to the top bar (fig. 71), and the bottom bar is nailed inside 
of them, instead of under them as formerly. 
321. We must not forget that these bottom bars some- 
times have to support the weight of heavy combs, as in 
transferring (674), and that the bees may glue them fast 
to lumps, which happen to be on the bottom board. Hence 
the necessity of having them nailed, so that they will not 
pull out.* 
All the parts of the movable frames should be cut out by 
circular saws, and the measurement should be exact, so that 
the frames when nailed together may besquare. If they ar 
not strong and perfectly square, the proper working of the 
hive will be greatly interfered with. 
322. The under side of the top bar may be cut to a tri- 
* Asarule, manufacturers make the top bar of the frames too weak; some 
have remedied this by excessive wiring, and a tin brace in the center. Such 
contrivances are costly and worse than useless. 
