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. oo 
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 
Fig. 89,.-COMB-HOLDER. 
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 lencthwise, 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. 
