HIVES FOR. BEE-KEEPERS. 7 I 
close to the frame sides, and firmly fixed by the upper 
pins. All ordinary frames permit thus of at once being 
converted into those that are both anti-propolising and 
invertible, the only alteration required being the 
removal of the existing ears, and the fixing of the 
straps. This can even be accomplished in those that 
are furnished with combs, if fine screws be used 
instead of wire nails for the pins, the heads of the 
screws being, of course, removed. By the use of this 
device, ail that recent theories have seemed to make 
desirable, is attainable, while, as before said, the 
fingers remain unsullied ; and so small is the pro- 
polisation between the metal of the runner and that 
of the ear, that the slip movement is deliciously 
smooth and easy. 
A question remains for settlement : Shall we 
use distance-keepers of any kind ? They have 
their advantages, and facilitate manipulation much, 
where propolisation is sufficiently guarded against to 
permit several frames to slide laterally by reasonable 
pressure. For these I know of nothing superior to 
my old arrangement — the bellhangers’ staple, fixed as 
explained at page 67 — except, possibly, the screw- 
ring which Mr. Sproule has substituted for it. Some 
have murmured that these tear the face of the 
combs ; but such may safely be regarded as belong- 
ing to the small class who would object to chisels 
because they cut one’s fingers. The bee-keeper of 
small experience ?nust depend on a distance-keeper ; 
he who has become an expert ?nay do better by 
dismissing them all. His combs must then be placed 
singly^ by eye, and those who are bad judges of 
