Brace-Combs—Cause and Prevention.
Written for the American Bee Journal
BY E. J. CRONKLETON.
Brace-combs and bees must be studied in connection, in order to arrive at correct conclusions about brace-combs. I think I will be able to convince every well-informed bee-keeper—one who has well learned the nature, habits and instincts of the bee—that there is some truth in my theory, or at least it will cause him to do a little thinking, and that is healthful.
We all know how irritable the bee is, especially by a jar—the least little jar will bring a response from every bee in the hive. Well, suppose it does, what of that? Well, nothing particular, only we learn something by it. Suppose the frames are loose at their bearings, resting on metal bearings for your convenience, and a perfect torment to the bees—torment because they cannot glue them down at the ends, and their walking over the combs causes them to tremble, and a bee cannot stand that—it is a constant annoyance. What is the result? Why, brace-combs are the inevitable result? They go right at it, and brace up and strengthen those combs, just as long as there is the least jar or tremble about them.
Years ago, when I was taking my first lessons in the art of bee-culture, I had but few brace-combs; but the metal-bearing craze was sprung on me. I had considerable trouble prying the frames loose from their bearings, so I thought this will be nice—I can just pick the combs out—it will be a pleasure indeed. The result was just as fine a lot of brace-combs as any one ever saw. The bees literally filled the spaces between the top-bars up, only leaving here and there a hole to pass through to the section.
Well, I looked at them as I examined hive after hive, and I thought I was undone entirely. It looked very much as though my elegant scheme had miscarried, while the bees had made a perfect success of theirs, though I, at that time, had not the remotest idea what caused the bees to interlace the combs in that manner.
I could easily see that I would better fall back on first principles, which I did, and brace-combs have disappeared ever since, with me, in proportion to the pains that I have taken to have the combs well fastened in the hives. I have no scheme for fastening the frames, just so they will not tremble and shake when the bees travel over them.
Mr. Heddon's thumb-screw business would be just the thing. The Hoffman frame can be used to advantage. Suit yourselves, and use your own judgment, and your own resources.
I have said nothing about burr-combs, from the fact that I am not certain that I know anything about them. I see a difference, but I think their mission is the same.
Try this, and I am satisfied you will see that I am right for once.
Dunlap, Iowa.
