194 



MINERS AMERICAN 



These bars should be about one inch wide and half 

 an inch thick, supporting each other in the middle, at 

 the junction. This size would simply occupy the same 

 space in width that the combs will ; consequently, the 

 bees will have perfect freedom in passing over any part 

 of the interior of the hive. 



The above cut represents the comb in progress of 

 construction in each division of the hive. The bees 

 will often do this in this manner, when unable to work 

 to advantage at a single point. They will even work 

 upwards, when no other means affords labor to the 

 whole of the family. Here is a cut showing the manner 

 in which they work upwards and downwards at the same 

 time. 



The cross-bars in these two cases afford them an op- 

 portunity of working upwards and downwards ; when, 

 if no bars were inserted, the bees would be compelled 

 to work from the top only, since the distance from the 

 roof to the floor, would deter them from commencing at 



