wood to cover when not in use. 
(July 15th, 1861) Bradding tops of frames. If frames had tops with brads or
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staples 3/8 inches deep to keep them so far apart, could not be
brought closer to get enough play to remove first frame. I have now
devised a plan to secure this desirable end. Let frames from
the brads on front and rear have 3/16 inches play, put brads on tops as
near the ends as possible. To get room, start one frame from
front to rear, next from rear to front, next from front to rear,
next from rear to front, etc. The brads of alternate frames will slip
by the ends of the adjoining frames so that every other frame can be brought
as near as though there were no brads, and thus all needed room be
given. These brads should all project just 3/8 inches, combs never need to be
brought nearer, and if from any irregularities of building it is necessary to
keep them further apart, or for wintering bees, of course nothing in the way. 
This seems to perfect the stapling or bradding of the frames, and they do
not at all interfere with the guide frames. See [crossed out: G a] H u
(Feb. 15th, 1862) The experience of last summer puts me out
Frames of conceit of style of frame. It cannot be
relied on to secure winter passages. The
cutting out of the upper pure honey, does not always lead
the bees to fill again. The center wood bad in winter,
and breeding space of comb divided which is bad. I
prefer with shaving honey with [illegible] and only one
shaving. Why not brad only front of frames
if the tops to be bradded too. Then lower from rear
to front always so as not to crush bees. This would give more
motion to frames to get them nearer for room to lift out the first. 
To fix such a hive for transportation, put strip behind the
frames in the rabbet (when a trough it goes down into it) and
wedge fast. It is, however, very doubtful whether the bradding
on the top edges will not be more troublesome than profitable. 
If the hives are to be moved any distance, it will be best to make
holes with a hand awl and put in small brads to fasten frames to the
rabbets. (March 3, 1862) May not this plan answer for transportation. In
[crossed out: each corner of] [inserted and crossed out: illegible] [inserted: each corner of] hive near rabbets put staple projecting 1/4 inch to keep tops
of frames from sides of hive. Let these staples be longer than for those for the
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