118 BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 



bottom stationary, and the space between the bottoms 

 of the frames and the bottom of the hive only about 

 half an inch, rendered it quite impossible to clean 

 them without lifting out all the combs, which is 

 neither convenient nor yet proper to do at all times 

 when they should be cleaned ; hence it was an im- 

 portant consideration and a serious objection. The 

 construction and adjustment of the frames was not 

 satisfactory. The facilities for transferring combs 

 from other hives of irregular sizes, and the mode of 

 so adjusting the frames as to fix them permanent and 

 stationary, preserving the proper spaces between 

 them, was defective, frequently causing the bees to 

 build their combs across and join them together, thus 

 destroying their efficiency. 



Harbison's improved movable comb hive. 



The hive known as the California Hive, or Har- 

 bison's Improved Movable Comb Hive, patented 

 January 4th, 1859, has been in use two summers, 

 and so far as I am informed, has given satisfaction. 

 The depth of comb is about sixteen inches (nine 

 frames to the hive), which is a good shape for win- 

 tering bees in. Another important feature in this 

 hive is the great ease with which it can be kept clean, 

 by simply removing a slide in front, and if necessary, 

 one in the rear, and brushing out any filth that may 

 be found on the bottom board, with the feather end 

 of a goose quill or any other small brush convenient. 

 The bottom board being an inclined plane, enables 

 the bees to throw out dead bees and filth with greater 



