14 
every way is preferable. Two or more smaller 
frames may be inserted within this frame for honey, 
when so desired, for market. 
Having repeatedly wintered several colonies of 
bees in the open air in Southern Ohio, unsheltered, 
and with no protection to the bees but their comb 
frames, made of common pine plastering lath less 
than a half inch thick, and finding that each colo¬ 
ny in every instance lived and came out in the 
spring in a healthy condition, and also finding that 
a small comb frame possesses advantages over all 
others in many ways, are my reasons for using the 
frame herein described. Large frames are difficult to 
manage, liable to accidents, and possess many other 
disadvantages. Frames made of thick material are 
also objectionable on account of crushing bees, unless 
formed of beveled bars, securing narrow surfaces. 
Triangular comb guides when used should be cut 
in the form of equilateral triangles, from boards 
nearly a half inch thick, and the lower edges well 
rubbed with beeswax to aid the bees in starting 
their, combs. In the absence of these guides straight 
thin strips of old brood combs will answ T er the 
same purpose, secured to the frames with melted 
rosin and beeswax The number of these frames 
required for a hive at any time depends upon cir¬ 
cumstances. From three to seven are enough for 
winter, but are not enough for the queen in May 
and June. The number required then will depend 
upon the strength of the colony, the productive¬ 
ness of the queen, and the amount of honey gath¬ 
ered. 
The hive herein named is termed Universal be¬ 
cause of its thorosgh practicability and adaptabili¬ 
ty to every department of bee culture. It was pat- 
