MOVABLE-FRAME HIVES. 155 



was found to be inferior to the triangular comb guides. 

 Pieces of worlcer-comb, glued to tiie 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. Standard L. Movable Frame. — Top bar, 19 J 

 long X i wide x I thick. In each end a notch ^X 1^% 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 J long X i wide X xs 

 thick. Bottom bar 16i long x i wide X I. 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 

 puU 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 be square. If they are 

 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- 



* As a mle, msnnfaotnrers make the top bar of the frames too weak; some 

 have ieme(3ied this hy excessive wiring, and a tin brace in the center. Such 

 contrivances are costly and worse than nseless, 



