REMOVING FRAMES, 199 
a single comb on each frame; and this is effected by the 
use of the triangular comb-guides, or better, by comb-foun- 
dation (674). 
If bees were disposed to fly away from their combs, as 
soon as they are taken out, instead of adhering to them 
with such remarkable tenacity, it would be far more difficult 
to manage them; but even if their combs, when removed, 
are all arranged in a continued line, the bees, and most es- 
pecially the Italian bees, instead of leaving them, will 
stoutly defend them against the thieving propensities of 
other bees. 
398. In returning the frames, care must be taken not to 
crush the bees between them and the rabbets on which they 
rest; they should be put in so slowly, that a bee, on feeling 
the slightest pressure, may have a chance to creep from un- 
der them before it is hurt. 
The frames should be returned, as far as possible, in the 
same position, as they were found, with the brood in the 
forward part of the hive, and the honey in the back, for 
bees always live and breed in front of their stores, to more 
easily defend their treasures against intruders. 
In shutting up the hive, the surplus story, if any is there, 
should be carefully sid on, so that any bees which’ are in 
the way may be pushed before it, instead of being crushed. 
A beginner will find it to his advantage to practice—using 
an empty hive—the directions for opening and shutting 
hives, and lifting out the frames, until confident that he 
fully understands them. If any bees are where they would 
be imprisoned by closing the upper cover, it should be 
propped up a little, until they have flown to the entrance of 
the hive, or, they may be brushed away gently. 
tt was taken off, they would glue it still faster, so that, at last, it would be 
well uigh impossible, in getting it off, not to start the frames so as to crush 
the bees between the combs. 
