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.
