CONSTRUCTION OF FRAMES. 
43 
Fig. 26.— Lock-joint chaff hi ve. (From G leanings in Bee 
Culture.) 
mentioned one. Each side bar can then be nailed by one nail driven 
from above through the 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 
side bars, the nails holding it 
to be driven through the lat- 
ter. Nailing frames loosely 
or without getting them ex- 
actly in true brings with it 
great disadvantages. If only 
slightly outof shape they may 
swing 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 first instance the combs, 
which are always built per- 
pendicularly, will not be wholly within the frames. To avoid these 
troubles it is essential, first, that the parts for the frames be cut very 
accurately; second, that the frame be in exact shape at the time of 
nailing; and third, that the nails be driven in quite firmly; long, slen- 
der, flat-headed wire nails being necessary to secure proper stiffness of 
the frame. Nails 1J to If inches long made of No. 16 or No, 17 wire, or 
4d. fine wire nails are the right size. Nailing in a form, such as is shown 
Greater ease in withdrawing the 
frames from the hive 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 
through the side bar at each low ci 
corner into the end of the bottom 
bar and left projecting one fourth 
inch will also facilitate the removal 
of frames and their insertion in 
the hive without the crushing of 
bees, and hence allow more rapid manipulation. (Fig. 24, pn.^ 
The hive to hold the frames should be the plainest kind ot a box, the 
frames resting on rabbets made in the upper edges. Constructing it 
with lock joints, as shown in tig. 26, or by halving together the ends 
of the boards, as in fig. 27, and, in either ease, nailing in both direc- 
tions makes a strong hive body. The hitter may be single-walled for 
mild climates or where cellar wintering is practiced: but for severe 
regions it is advisable to have permanent double walls with the inter 
by fig. 25, is therefore advisable. 
*—f9 "* — *. 
FlQ. 27.— Manner of nailing hives. 
(Original.) 
