bee-keeper's manual. 201 



well to .insert, I have no doubt. Indeed, to write a work 

 of this character, and not do so, would be beyond the 

 power of man. 



Here is something in point. I came very near for- 

 getting to inform you, that before you place a swarm in 

 your observatory hive, you should attach two or three 

 pieces of guide-comb to the roof of the hive. Take the 

 tips or edges of any new comb that you can obtain ; 

 say pieces two or three inches long, by an inch or more 

 wide ; cut them off evenly and smoothly, with a sharp 

 carving-knife ; and then, with the aid of a little melted 

 bees- wax, attach them in the centre of the upper section 

 of the frame or roof of the hive. Perhaps I may as well 

 inform you at this place, how to melt the bees- wax in 

 the best manner, and how to attach the comb. 



In the first place, you want a little tin pan about six 

 inches long, and three or four inches wide, and one inch 

 deep. Place your bees- wax into this pan and melt it ; 

 then take a small brush, about as large around as a pipe- 

 bowl and lay some of the melted wax, as quickly as pos- 

 sible, upon the place where your piece of comb is to be 

 attached; and before the wax thus laid on has time 

 to cool, you should dip that edge of the piece of comb 

 to be secured in position, into the pan as quickly as 

 possible, taking it out quickly to prevent its melting, and 

 as soon as a coating of wax is obtained, then join it to 

 that laid on the roof of the hive, taking particular care 

 not to move the comb in the least, after its first adjust- 

 ment. This whole operation must be done with a dex- 

 trous hand, while the wax is yet pliable, on the roof, as 



