176 AUSTRALASIAN 



tions given, it will be sufficient to mention that they can be 

 purchased of Messrs. Bagnall Bros, and Co., or their agents, 

 at the following prices : Clark's cold blast, 3s., by post, 4s. 6d. ; 

 Bingham's direct draught, 4s. 6d., by post, 6s. At these 

 prices it would not pay any bee-keeper to make one or two for 

 his own use. 



HOW TO OPEN A HIVE. 



During the honey season it is usually only necessary to be 

 careful when removing the cover and mat, and if the bees 

 " boil up " over the top of the frames to give them a puff or 

 two of smoke. But at other times, or with bees inclined to be 

 vicious, it is better to blow a little smoke in at the entrance 

 half a minute or so before removing the cover ; this will give 

 the bees time to begin filling themselves with honey. After 

 the cover is removed a few more puffs on top will make them 

 quiet. 



When removing any of the frames it is better first to move 

 two or three of the side frames a little to make room for taking 

 out the first one, when any of the others can be taken out 

 without trouble. 



COMB-HOLDERS. 



A small comb-holder, similar to the one shown in Fig. 89, 

 to hook on the side of the hive, is very handy for hanging a 



frame on when taken from the hive. It is made of stout folded 

 tin. Another kind, easily made, is shown in Fig. 90. This is 

 very much like the body of a hive cut in half lengthwise, with 

 a bottom nailed on. A double one can be made by extending 

 the ends and putting the division in the centre of them ; a 

 hand-hole cut in the top of the division is necessary for carry- 

 ing it. 



