AKTIFICIAI, SWAKMING. 
171 
it would be necessary, in loosening the frames, to pry 
them laterally, or towards each other, by which they 
might be brought so close together, as to crush the bees, 
injure the brood, disfigure the combs, or even kill the 
queen. 
The frames may be all loosened for removal in less than 
.1 minute :* by this time the sprinkled bees u ill have filled 
tlicmselves, or if all have not, the intelligence that sweets 
have been furnished, will dififuse an unusual good nature 
through the honied realm. The Apiaiian should now 
gently push the third frame from either end of the hive, a 
little nearer to the fourth frame; and then the second as 
near as he can to the third, to get ample room to lift out 
the end one, without crushing its comb, or injuring any 
of the bees. To remove it, he should take hold of its two 
shoulders which rest upon the rabbets, and carefully lift 
it, so as to crush no bees by letting it touch the sides of 
tile hive, or the next frame. If it is desired to remove 
any particular frame, room must be gained by moving, in 
the same way, the adjoining ones on each side. As bees 
usually build their combs slightly waving, it will be found 
impossible to remove a frame safely, without making room 
for it in this way ; and if the tops of the frames have not 
Buflicient play on the rabbets, and between each other, 
the frames cannot be lifted out of the hive, without crush¬ 
ing the combs, and killing the bees. In handling the 
frames, be careful not to incline them from their perpen- 
dkiitar, or the combs will be liable to break from their 
own weight, and fall out of the frames. 
If more combs are to be examined, after lifting out tho 
♦ Without smoko or sweetened wator^ ten minutes may be spent in opening and 
limiting a single framo in a Ilubcr-blve, and even then some of tho bees will 
probably oe crushed. Tho groat caution recommended by Iluber In opening his 
hives, shows that bo did not know bow to muko himself independent of tho angei 
oi the bee4 / 
