Inventing New Things—A Frame.
I read Query 892, and was somewhat surprised at some of the answers given by the 25 expert apiarists; and yet I am glad that the great majority have not yet out-lived their day. The answers of some of them sound like the arguments that I heard offered by old men (when I was a very small boy) against the introduction and use of the double-shovel plow, and the reaping and mowing machines, etc. Yet those that were satisfied with the utensils then in use, soon fell in line, and were as loud in praising the new as they had been in condemning them. But we have to admit that there have been a great many bee-hives and other fixtures patented that have proven to be detrimental, or an out-right humbug, and, after all, this does not prove that there is nothing left for the inventor to invent, that will be as useful as anything now in use.
We have quite a variety of frames now in use; each one has its good or bad qualities, according to the way it is used. Having this in view, last spring I invented a frame that will always hang perpendicularly, regardless of the position of the hive; will never warp or sag, and cannot be eaten by the moth-worms. The queen cannot hide on it anywhere. It will last a lifetime, and then will be just as good as new. It can be used with or without comb foundation, the same as any other frame. I tested nine of these frames the past summer, and got nice, straight combs, with the center of the comb on the center of the frame all the way around. I have extracted 7¼ pounds of honey from one frame. The summer problem has been solved to my satisfaction. Now if the bees winter on these frames all right, and I think they will, then I will apply for a patent. I pack the hives in chaff under sheds 14 feet long, with nine hives in each shed.
W. H. Burkey.