244 
BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 
ing the wire tight. The laths are passed down on 
opposite sides of the comb to be removed, the wire 
between the points cutting completely round it at one 
operation, in the neatest and most rapid manner; 
while the tension slightly imbeds the wire in the 
wood, so that it remains in position when the laths 
are put down awaiting their next employment. The 
removal of one comb accomplished, carefully lift it, 
and place it on a board greater in length and breadth 
than the frames to which we are to transfer. Place 
the frame over the comb, and, with a sharp dinner- 
knife, mark the size of the former upon the latter, 
so that, when trimmed, it will fit somewhat tightly, 
and as accurately as its size and shape will admit 
of — and it is desirable, rather than necessary, that 
the top of the comb as built in the old hive shall 
also be the top as we fix it, the cells inclining some- 
what upwards. Keep the comb against one side of 
the frame, in order that a firm attachment may the 
more quickly be made, and fit in any good pieces of 
worker-comb that aid in filling out the frame, and 
these the bees will unite by newly-formed cells with 
a neatness that must be seen to be understood. 
Thickened combs (see Fig. 75) should be shaved 
down, and drone-cells wholly rejected, or placed only 
in the upper part of the outside frames. Should the 
comb not be deep enough to fit down to the bottom 
rail of the frame, while no pieces can be econo- 
mically added, it is necessary to put against its 
lower edge a strip of thin wood, about Jin. wide, 
when two or three tapes, that ought to have been 
laid on the board before putting the comb down, are 
