IMPROVED COMB BAR.
Section of Bar.
Mr. Woodbury says that this little contrivance has proved very effectual in securing straight combs when guide-combs are not obtainable. The lower angles are rounded off, whilst a central rib is added, of about one-eighth of an inch in breadth and depth. This central rib extends to within half an inch of each end, where it is removed, in order to admit of the bar fitting into the usual notch. All that is necessary to ensure the regular formation of combs is, to coat the underneath surface of the central rib with melted wax. Mr. Woodbury further says: "My practice is to use plain bars whenever guide-combs are attainable, as those can be attached with much greater facility to a plain than to a ribbed bar; but whenever I put in a bar without comb, I always use one of the improved ones. By this method, crooked and irregular combs are altogether unknown in my apiary."
Most of our bars are made with the ridge; but should any of our customers prefer the flat ones, we keep a few to supply their requirements.
With the moveable bar and frame hive, every comb is available for extraction, and may easily be taken out of the hive; each comb being fixed within its frame, there is less disturbance to the bees than if the combs were fixed to the sides, as is the case with ordinary hives. A strip of wood, about half an inch wide, rests on the floor-board; in this strip are ten notches, made to receive the lower part of the frames, so as to retain them in their places at equal distances from each other. A difficulty is found, with a well-stocked hive, in dropping the frames into the exact notches, so that it is not necessary to have these rack works always in use; but when any movement of the hive is made, it is essential to have the frames firmly fixed by the aid of this contrivance. It is also advisable to have the frames perpendicularly supported until the combs are built, so, in order that the frames should hang true, the hive ought to be on the level. A little inclination may be given to it from back to front, causing the hive to fall slightly towards the entrance, so as to allow the moisture inside the hive, caused by the exhalations of the bees, to run off.
COMPOUND BAR FRAME.
In the Journal of Horticulture, Mr. Woodbury thus describes the compound bar frame. Being his own adaptation, we cannot do better than use his own words:—"This is a contrivance of my own, which I have found very advantageous in enabling me to use frames in stock-hives, and bars in supers, without forfeiting the advantages arising from the unlimited interchangeability of every comb in every hive and super in the apiary. Its construction will be readily understood by an inspection of the annexed sketch, in which the comb bar is shown slightly raised from its frame. The bar itself is thirteen and a quarter inches long, by seven-eighths of an inch wide, and three-eighths of an inch thick. When the comb bar is in its place, the whole forms a frame thirteen inches long, by seven and a quarter inches high (inside measure), with five-eighths of an inch projection at each end, which rests in its appropriate notch in either the back or front of the hive. When filled with comb, the bar becomes so firmly cemented to the frame as to admit of its being handled with facility." This contrivance is, no doubt, very excellent in the hands of Mr. Woodbury; but in the hands of the unpractised severe mishaps may arise. In warm weather the propolis and wax, with which the bees cement the bar to the frame, become soft; consequently, in handling the frames, unless dexterity is used, the comb is likely to drop out. We therefore recommend that the bar and frame be made both in one: greater firmness and simplicity are thereby gained. Some of these compound bars and frames are kept in stock at our establishment, though they cannot be recommended for general use; but should anyone prefer them, they can be supplied at the same price as the common frames. In describing the stock-hives of wood, straw, and glass, allusion has frequently been made to the depriving hives technically called "supers." These are also made of glass, in wood frames, thirteen inches inside, six inches deep, with eight bars (without frames). The above engraving represents the super used with the bar and frame hive.
