198 
BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 
Stretching is all but inevitable, and a breakdown not 
infrequent. In attempting this, which some (whose 
cautiousness is less than my own) recommend, fix 
the foundation carefully, and keep the hive in the 
shade until the evening. Then, without jar, place it 
in true position, so that the sheets hang plumb. If 
unable to keep the hive out of the sun, cover it with 
towelling or sacking, occasionally thoroughly soaking 
the latter with water. Now introduce the bees, by 
throwing down in front, as explained in the last 
chapter, allowing them only the usual doorway by 
which to enter, so that they may not suddenly collect 
in heavy masses upon any of the sheets. Have only 
a single thin covering over the tops of the frames, 
holding down its edges by wooden slips, and place, 
if possible, the frames at not more than ijin. from 
centre to centre. This is most important : the bees 
in ascending hang closely on to the sheets, and to 
one another ; and the larger the interspace, the 
greater is the weight each sheet must sustain, and 
the smaller the amount of surface upon which opera- 
tions will be commenced. The risk is reduced im- 
mensely if foundation be alternated with comb, when 
the interspace should still be small. 
Those using metal ends here labour under a 
disadvantage I have previously pointed out. Mr. 
Broughton Carr, to remedy this, has just given us 
a handy appliance, which will be hailed by many as 
a felt want. It is a metal end, allowing of the 
desired variation in frame distance, with a very in- 
considerable amount of labour. The triangular strut 
(Fig. 21) is not provided, the inventor well arguing 
