CONSTRUCTION OF FRAMES. 



43 



mentioned one. Each side bar can then be naile<l by one nail driven 

 from above through tlie top bar, and two driven through the side bar 

 itself into the end of the top 

 bar. The bottom bar can then 

 be nailed on. or, better still, 

 cut short enough to permit it 

 to be inserted between the 

 -ide bars, the nails holding it 

 to be driven thioiigh the lat- 

 ter. Xailmg frames loosely 

 or without getting them ex- 

 actly in true brings with it 

 great disadvantages. If only 

 slightly out ofshape they may 

 >wing together at the bottom 

 or touch the sides of the hive, 

 and in either case will be 

 glued fast by the bees; also in 

 the tirst instance the combs, 

 wiiich are always built per- 

 pendicularly, will not be wholly within the frames. To avoid these 

 troubles it is essential, lirst, that the parts for the frames be cut very 

 accurately: second, that the trame be in exact shape at the time ot 

 nailing: and third, that the nails be driven in <|uite firmly; long, slen- 

 der, fiat headed wire nails being necessary to secure proper stiffness of 

 the frame. Xails 1^ to IJ inches long made of Xo. IG or Xo. 17 wire, or 

 4d. fine wire nails are the right size. Xailing in a form, such as is shown 



Fig. 26.— Lock-joint chatf bive. (From Gleanings in Bet- 

 Cult ure.) 



by fig. 25, is therefore advisable. 



T 

 1^- '^' 



Greater ease in withdrawing the 

 frames is secured by making the 

 bottom of the frame one fourth inch 

 less in width than the upper part. 

 A round-headed nail or a curved 

 wire-staple driven thro:igh the side 

 bar at each lower corner into the 

 end of the bottom bar and left pro- 

 jecting one fourth inch will also 

 facilitate the removal of frames and 

 their insertion in the hivewitliout 

 the crushing of bees, and hence 

 allow more rapid manipulation. (Fig. 24, pn.) 



The hive to hold the frames should be the plainest kind of a l>ox, the 

 frames resting on rabbets made in the ui>per edges. Constructing it 

 with lock joints, as shown in fig. 2(), or by halving together tho ends 

 of the boards, as in fig. 27, and. in either case, nailing in both direc- 

 tions makes a strong hive body. The latter may be single-waliMl for 

 mild climates or where cellar wintering is practiced: but for revere 

 regions it is advisable to have permanent double walls with the inter- 



FiG. 27.— Manner of nailing hives. (Original. 



