248 
BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 
string, but to depend upon sticks (B, Fig. 68), which 
are ^in. square, and fin. longer than the frame 
depth ; these are, at one end, fastened together in 
pairs, by annealed wire, which keeps them about lin. 
apart. Either of the transferring-boards illustrated 
permits of these being most readily slipped over the 
comb, while fastening the free' ends is but the work 
of a few seconds. When it is found difficult to keep 
the midrib of the comb in the centre of the width 
of the frame, strips of lead or zinc are of ' service. 
These, bent over the top or side bar, press both faces 
of the comb by their ends, and firmly hold it until 
fixed. It will be impossible to prevent the destruc- 
tion of some larvae ; but the beginner need not 
grow faint-hearted : repairs will be quickly executed 
in a* wondrous manner; while the mortally wounded, 
and those killed outright, will be quickly removed, 
their juices helping to sustain the labourers in their 
arduous duties — the economics of the bee-hive never 
being trammelled by mere sentiment. The combs 
should be put together, and the bees so confined by 
a division-board that no unoccupied spaces may 
remain, room being subsequently given as the growing 
population may warrant. The work so far completed, 
the bees may be introduced, as explained at page 
137. The honey set running during the operation 
will be gathered up, and will supply immediate needs ; 
but great demands will be made for wax-secretion, 
to fill gaps and make attachments, so that it is usually 
good economy to feed slowly for a day or two ; but, 
of course, circumstances liable to much variation must 
guide us. The stock, settling heartily to work — even 
