9 



metal ends are fitted on to the lugs of the frames; these are 

 1-^ in. wide, so that when they are in position, and. all the 

 frames are pushed together until the metal ends touch each 

 other, there is a space of H in. from the centre ol one comb 

 to the centre of the next, allowing for f in. comb and a | in. 

 passage between each comb to accommodate the bees when 

 carrying out their work in the summer, and to cluster in 

 during the winter months. 



To compel the bees to build their combs in the frames, they 

 are provided with comb foundation. This is pure bees' wax, 

 sheeted and impressed with the base of the cells. By its use, 

 perfectly straight combs consisting of either worker or drone 

 cells can be obtained in any desired position. To make the 

 brood comb strong, wire is first stretched across the frame; a 

 sheet of worker base foundation cut to fill the frame is then 

 inserted into the saw-cut madQ in the top of the frame for this 

 purpose, and a serrated grooved wheel called a spur-embedder 

 is then heated in the flame of a spirit lamp and run along the 

 wire, thus melting the wax slightly in order that the wire may 

 sink into it. This holds the foundation rigid, and when the 

 comb is built the wire is right in the centre of it, and there 

 is very little fear, either of the comb dropping out if held in 

 the wrong position, i.e., horizontally instead of vertically (as 

 is often carelessly done when manipulating) or of the combs 

 breaking down, should the bees at any time have to be trans- 

 ported by road or rail in their hives or in specially made 

 travelling boxes. The combs which are built in these frames 

 are reserved for the rearing of young bees and the storage of the 

 food upon which the bees live during the winter, and should 

 not be touched for surplus, honey. 



A_secojMi-fiiiaiabS£i^. s.Mpjr as it is termed, contains shallow 

 frames, the conibs in which are usedTor We production "of" 

 extracted or liquid honey. 



The third chamber is a section rack, and contains 21 sec- 

 tions (miniature wooden boxes 4 J, in. square by 2 in. wide) 

 in which comb honey is produced. Each section when 'filled 

 and sealed holds approximately one pound of honey. 



Surrounding these chambers there is an outer case which 

 encompasses the brood chamber and also carries the porch 

 over the entrance; the size of the latter is regulated by 

 sliding doors. There are also lifts which fit on to the top of 

 the outer case, and on one another, to accommodate the supers 

 during the honey season. A roof completes the structure. 



The advantages of this hive are its simplicity ; the a,ir space 

 between the outer cases and inner chambers, which provides 

 a more even temperature, both in winter and in summer, than , 

 is the case with a single-walled hive ; its n^^i^ ; its accessi- 

 bility for cleansing and disinfection ; and its acEptability to being 

 built up to any height that may be necessary for the accom- 

 modation of the supers in which the bees work. Shallow 



